After a recent vote, the Drug Task Force will remain in Lowndes County, according to DTF Project Director and Hayneville Police Chief Kelvin Mitchell.

The DTF Board of Directors met on Oct. 4 at the “old town hall building in Hayneville” to discuss the whether the DTF should remain in Lowndes County or be relocated to Butler County, according to Mitchell.

“The purpose of the meeting was to decide if the Lowndes County Commission and other entities involved with the DTF would relinquish their position with the housing of the DTF in Lowndes County,” said Mitchell.

Mitchell cited a conversation between Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) representative Tom Goree from earlier that morning.

“Mr. Goree informed me that all the business of the DTF and their decisions must go through the DTF Advisory Board,” said Mitchell. “From the bottom to the top, all decisions must be motioned and voted upon unanimously.”

The motion to keep the DTF in Lowndes County was made by Hayneville’s Mayor Pro-tem David Daniel, who was representing Mayor Helenor Bell on the board, and seconded by Lowndes County Commission Chairman Charlie King.

The motion passed unanimously. District Attorney Investigator Wayne Lee abstained from the vote.

Last year, ADECA granted $265,000 for the DTF, however this year the grant amount is for $127,000. Funds granted are disbursed over the fiscal year.

Lowndes County Sheriff Charlie “Chip” Williams was not in attendance at the meeting due to emergency circumstances, according to Mitchell. Williams could not be reached for comment.