Etowah County Commission

The goal of the Commission is to provide highly effective government leadership for Etowah County. Our mission is to oversee the administration of Etowah County government in a manner that will provide the very best service possible to the citizens of Etowah County (within the financial constraints under which the Commission must work).

Commission Staff

Chief Executive Officer Patrick Simms psimms@etowahcounty.org (256) 549-5495
Chief Financial Officer Kevin Dollar kdollar@etowahcounty.org (256) 549-5310
Financial Controller Sue Woodard swoodard@etowahcounty.org (256) 549-5288
County Clerk Karen Bates kbates@etowahcounty.org (256) 549-5300
Accounting Technician Marcia Sims mysims@etowahcounty.org (256) 549-5304
Administrative Secretary Wilma Maye wmaye@etowahcounty.org (256) 549-8134
Purchasing Agent Debra Parris dparris@etowahcounty.org (256) 549-5307
Purchasing Technician Vickey Ritchey vritchey@etowahcounty.org (256) 549-5312

Meetings & Agenda

The meetings of the Etowah County Commission are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month (unless the Commission changes the meeting dated due to holidays, etc.).

In order to be placed on the agenda for the Etowah County Commission, you need to contact the County Clerk (Email: Karen Bates or Phone: 549-5300) no later than 12:00 noon on the Thursday preceding the meeting on the following Tuesday. Also, please give the county clerk a brief description of the subject matter that you wish brought before the County Commission.

Responsibilities of the Commission

The major areas of responsibilities of the Commission are as follows:

  • Administer the County's finances
  • Serve as custodians of all County property
  • Collect taxes as required by state law
  • To promote Tourism and Industrial Development within Etowah County
  • To oversee the construction and maintenance of County roads and bridges
  • Provide funding for the following county elected officials, departments, and functions:
    • Sheriff's Department
    • County Detention Center
    • Probate Judge's Office
    • Revenue Commissioner's Office
    • County road and bridge construction/maintenance
    • All elections except for city elections
    • Juvenile Probation & Detention
    • Coroner
    • Constable
    • Tourism
  • The Commission also provides matching funds for the following Federal and State grant programs:
    • Sheriff's Drug Task Force Program
    • Sheriff's COP Grant
    • Rural Transportation
    • Senior Nutrition
    • Retired Senior Volunteer Program
    • DARE Program
  • The County also is required to provide space and partial funding for the following state offices:
    • Circuit and District Judges
    • District Attorney's Office
    • Veteran's Administration
    • Board of Registrars
    • Board of Equalization
    • Etowah County Board of Education
    • Auburn Extension Service
    • Emergency Management