Southeast Alabama Planning and Development Commission 2025 Annual Report

The Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission (SEARP&DC) proudly presents its 2025 Annual Report, highlighting a year of growth, collaboration, and service to the communities of Southeast Alabama. As the region’s designated regional planning agency, SEARP&DC continues to fulfill its mission of promoting balanced economic growth, effective public services, and improved quality of life across our seven-county region—Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Geneva, Henry, and Houston Counties.

Over the past year, our Commission has worked diligently alongside local governments, state and federal partners, and community stakeholders to address emerging challenges and advance key priorities in infrastructure, transportation, community development, and workforce readiness. Through these partnerships, SEARP&DC has continued to provide technical assistance, administer vital grant programs, and support initiatives that strengthen both urban and rural communities.

This report serves not only as a summary of our accomplishments but also as a reflection of the shared vision that drives our work—fostering a region where every community has the opportunity to prosper. We extend our gratitude to our member governments, regional partners, and staff whose commitment, expertise, and collaboration make our progress possible. Together, we remain steadfast in building a stronger, more resilient Southeast Alabama.

Message from the Executive Director

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Since the Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission (SEARP&DC) began serving our regional local governments in 1969, our dedicated staff and supportive Board of Directors have embodied our Mission Statement to “Improve the Quality of Life for the Citizens of Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Geneva, Henry, and Houston Counties.” The information contained in our 2025 Annual Report highlights the significance of community partnerships and the value of leveraging resources to provide multiple services on behalf of our local governments to assist in meeting the needs of Southeast Alabama. The SEARP&DC staff remains intentional to consistently manage and guide needed investments contributing to early childhood development, infrastructure and community facility improvements, planning and policy facilitation, essential transportation services, business growth, and senior workforce development. It is an honor to work with our amazing SEARP&DC team in serving our region.

Scott Farmer, Executive Director

Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)

Funded by the U.S. Department of Labor under Title V of the Older Americans Act, the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is locally administered by the Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission (SEARP&DC) in partnership with the Alabama Department of Senior Services and CWI Works, Inc. The program serves Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Geneva, Henry, and Houston Counties.

SCSEP provides part-time, minimum-wage employment opportunities for low-income adults aged 55 and older, helping participants gain marketable skills, work experience, and confidence needed to transition into unsubsidized employment. In addition to supporting individual participants, the program delivers measurable benefits to local communities through service placements at nonprofit and public agencies.

2025 Fiscal Year Highlight

Wiregrass Transit

Authority

Mission

Serving Dothan, Houston County, Dale County, and Enterprise, the Wiregrass Transit Authority (WTA) is dedicated to enhancing mobility and improving quality of life by providing essential, inclusive, and reliable transportation services across the Wiregrass region.

General Public Transit Services

WTA remains committed to delivering responsive, customer-centered public transportation for all riders, including seniors, individuals with disabilities, community agency clients, and residents with medical or accessibility needs.

Our team includes 18 Drivers, 6 Dispatchers, and 4 Administrative/Management staff, supported by a fleet of 23 fully ADA-accessible vehicles equipped with wheelchair lifts and securement stations. These resources ensure safe, dignified, and dependable mobility for every passenger.

FY25 Service Overview

• Total Miles Traveled: 316,759
• Total Hours of Service: 32,482
• Total Passenger Trips: 58,220
• FY25 Budget: $2,014,175

Department of Human Resources (DHR) Jobs Transportation Program

WTA serves as the designated transportation provider for the DHR in Coffee, Geneva, and Henry Counties, supporting the DHR JOBS program. This service offers transportation and work-support solutions to parents receiving cash assistance who are striving to attain or maintain employment.

In addition to transportation, the program helps address barriers such as limited childcare access, inadequate transportation, domestic violence, and substance abuse—factors that often impede employment stability.

FY25 DHR JOBS Service Metrics

• Total Miles Traveled: 87,295
• Total Hours of Service: 6,786
• Total Passenger Trips: 7,015

Purchased Transportation Services

WTA also provides purchased transportation for partner organizations including Wiregrass Rehabilitation Center and Vivian B. Adams School. These partnerships expand mobility access for specialized populations across the region.

FY25 Purchased Transportation Metrics

• Total Miles Traveled: 558,730
• Total Hours of Service: 26,708
• Total Passenger Trips: 38,394

WTA Workforce Overview

• Full-Time Drivers: 15
• Part-Time Drivers: 3
• Full-Time Dispatchers: 3
• Part-Time Dispatchers: 3
• Administrative/Management Staff: 3

Funding Partners

WTA’s operations are supported through strategic investment and collaboration with:

• Houston County Commission
• Dale County Commission
• City of Dothan
• City of Enterprise

Community Partners

WTA works closely with community organizations to enhance regional mobility and service coordination:

• Dothan Chamber of Commerce
• Dothan Housing Authority
• Enterprise Chamber of Commerce
• Enterprise Housing Authority
• Coffee County Department of Human Resources
• Wiregrass Economic Development
• Wiregrass Area Food Bank

Contract Partners

WTA provides contracted transportation for:

• Southeast Intervention Group
• Girls Inc.
• Boys & Girls Club
• SAMC Child Development Center
• Vivian B. Adams School
• Tiny Tots
• Wiregrass Rehabilitation Center
• Call-A-Cab Inc.
• Kiddie Garden

Building a Culture of Safety & Excellence

The Safety & Training Department achieved significant progress in strengthening driver safety, communication, and operational accountability. Through structured education, enhanced processes, and proactive monitoring, the department continues to reinforce SEARP&DC’s commitment to safe, effective transit operations.

Major Accomplishments

A key milestone this year was the launch of The Smith System Defensive Driving Program in May 2025. This behavior-based, nationally recognized training model equips drivers with situational awareness, hazard prevention skills, and a proactive safety mindset.

• Eight drivers completed full certification, representing the first cohort in a broader regional rollout.
• Early outcomes include a reduction in preventable incidents and improved driver communication and accountability.
• The department also introduced a Driver Communication Reference Card to standardize radio communication across routes.
• Monthly safety meetings were redesigned into interactive, game-based learning sessions to boost engagement and retention.

Projects & Initiatives

To improve operational consistency and documentation, several new tools and procedures were implemented, including:

• Safety Officer Daily Task Checklist.
• Incident Data Tracker for timely reporting and trend monitoring.
• Emergency Weather Shelter Guides for Dothan, Enterprise, and surrounding areas.
• An expanded new-driver onboarding process featuring classroom instruction and hands-on ride-along training.

These initiatives strengthen field operations and ensure that safety standards are consistently upheld across all service areas.

Events, Trainings & Outreach

Throughout FY25, the department conducted multiple Smith System training sessions alongside recurring safety refreshers. These sessions helped reinforce defensive driving principles and ensure uniform adherence to safe operating procedures.

The department also coordinated activities for Safety Awareness Month, including themed toolbox talks and the popular “Step into Safety” Walking Challenge, which combined wellness, awareness, and friendly competition to promote a safety-first culture.

Contact Information

For more information about Wiregrass Transit Authority services, please contact us:

📧 Email: dispatcher@searpdc.org

📞 Phone:

• Dothan: (334) 836-5555
• Enterprise: (334) 417-1217

Human Resources

Overview: 

The Human Resources Department maintained a strong focus on strategic hiring, compliance, and employee engagement throughout the year. Key efforts supported both Transit and Head Start programs while improving internal operations. 

Highlights: 

Audits & Compliance:

Completed major audits including FTA Drug & Alcohol, LGHIB Health Insurance, Workers’ Compensation, and FA2 for Head Start.

Recruitment & Onboarding:

On boarded 48 new employees, placed the first intern via LBW partnership, and attended the Troy Career Fair. Succession planning addressed retirements and driver turnover.

Training & Development:

Launched a formal training program for Transit and participated in Head Start’s Annual Trainings.

Benefits & Engagement:

Completed Open Enrollment, introduced Volunteer Leave, and maintained a below-average turnover rate.

Process Improvements:

Revised the employee handbook and organized HR files, training materials, and benefits documentation.

Strategic Focus Areas:

• Recruitment

• Succession Planning

• Onboarding

• Retention

• Training

Finance Department Updates

Our newest Finance Department member is Steve Kendrick. Steve started as an Accountant in October of 2024. Steve attended CWI (Center for Workforce Inclusion) training this past spring in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Our Senior Accountant, Pam Daniels, attended Grants Management Systems training in Maryland to enhance her skills using our financial software. Our Chief Financial Officer will attend the Southeast Regional Directors Institute Financial Management Training in February 2026.

The Finance Department handles many reporting functions for the various programs of the Agency. For FY2025, these included monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual reports for the following:

• Office of Head Start (HHS)
• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) / Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
• Alabama Pre-K
• Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Formula 5307 Grant
• Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) Formula 5311 Grant
• Transit / Department of Human Resources (DHR Jobs)
• Economic Development Authority (EDA)
• Alabama Department of Senior Services (ADSS)
• Center for Workforce Inclusion (CWI)

Other reporting functions include:

• Filing tax forms 941
• W-2s
• 1099s for the Agency

In FY2025, the FTA conducted a Triennial Review of the Transit system. HHS also conducted an FA1 and FA2 review during FY2025. The Finance area was just a small part of these reviews, but we are proud and grateful to have received good reports from both agencies.

Budgets and funding applications are annual functions of the Finance Department as well. Below is a graph showing the overall Agency budget for FY2026 and the previous four years.