Battle brewing over exit between Pine Level, Prattville

The small town of Pine Level just north of Prattville is growing—or at least, it’s trying to.

The growing Pine Level community voted to incorporate in September 2023 and the town has already expanded since then to include the Central Alabama Electric Cooperative headquarters on U.S Highway 31.

But its latest attempt to expand may be in trouble. House Bill 598 by Rep. Van Smith, R-Pine Level, would extend the town’s boundaries past the I-65 exit on U.S. Highway 31 between Pine Level and Prattville, Exit 186.

The local bill is co-sponsored by the two other members representing portions of Autauga County: Rep. Kelvin Lawrence, D-Montgomery, and Rep. Jerry Starnes, R-Prattville.

Pine Level mayor Zach Bigley took to social media Friday to call on residents to call Starnes, former Prattville City Council president, claiming that Starnes is holding off on proceeding with the bill at the bequest of Prattville mayor Bill Gillespie.

APR could not reach Starnes before publishing time.

“One of my primary goals has always been to secure the 186 exit for Pine Level,” Bigley posted to his official Facebook page, describing the local legislation process. “However, we’ve encountered a setback. One representative chose to consult with the mayor of another municipality before signing the bill, and unfortunately, that mayor did not support our plans. Consequently, the representative opted not to sign the bill he initially cosponsored.”

Bigley said the opposition to the bill “appears to be a power move” ahead of municipal elections.

”Pine Level has been overlooked and disrespected for far too long,” Bigley continued. “I’ve defended our town against disrespect on numerous occasions, and now our future prosperity rests in the hands of a single representative from Prattville. I have heard directly that Prattville has plans for exit 186.”

According to Bigley, the annexation would extend to Pine Level Volunteer Fire Department No. 2 about a mile south of the exit on U.S. Highway 31. Pine Level police jurisdiction already extends past the interstate exit, and therefore collects half of its tax rate at the exit. 

“This exit has the potential to generate significant revenue for Pine Level, funding our roads, parks, volunteer fire department, elementary school and community events,” Bigley said. “If we allow this opportunity to slip away, we risk losing that revenue to neighboring municipalities.”

Gillespie told APR Friday that Pine Level’s attempt to annex land through the local legislation route caught Prattville officials off guard and that he is trying to get more information about the bill.

That includes a map, Gillespie said. There is a map available for view at the Autauga Probate Office as required by law, but that map does little to show the expansion of the boundaries in relation to roads and landmarks.

Gillespie said it’s also no secret that he views the potential expansion of Prattville to be to the north, and that he has to keep the interest of his municipality in mind. 

The expansion of Pine Level would leave about a four-mile gap between the growing small town and the much larger Prattville.

HB598 has been introduced in the House and is awaiting committee approval from its local legislators. Local bills are generally unchallenged by lawmakers outside of the county representation on the floor. The bill would also need to gain approval in the Senate with very few days remaining before the end of session.