Foley, Ala. - (OBA) - The residents of the Mills community will soon have an opportunity to decide whether they wish to become part of the city of Foley. The opportunity has been made possible following the recent passage of House Bill 488 in the Alabama Legislature, which was sponsored by Rep. Frances Holk-Jones, R-Foley. The bill, having received its final approval on June 1st, is now awaiting a signature from Gov. Kay Ivey to become law​.

Mayor Hellmich stated that the city officials are working alongside Judge D’Olive and community members to organize the vote. State law requires that the referendum takes place in the area where the annexation is proposed​.

Once the bill is signed into law, Baldwin County Probate Judge Harry D’Olive Jr. will have a period of 30 days to schedule a referendum for the residents of the Mills community. The referendum will then take place between 30 and 50 days after the order to hold the referendum is issued​.

Mayor Ralph Hellmich of Foley, who has been serving the city since 2004 and was elected mayor in 2020, stated that the Mills community is currently divided. Parts of it lie within the city limits of Foley and parts in the unincorporated area of Baldwin County. The mayor expressed that the proposed annexation allows for the unification of the Mills community and that the majority of the residents favor the move. According to Hellmich, out of 105 lots surveyed in the Mills community, only three voiced a desire to remain independent.

The annexation is driven by the need for better services in the areas of the Mills community that are currently outside the city limits, including police services, city services, and the installation of amenities such as sidewalks and streetlights​. The city has also identified a piece of property in the Mills community where they plan to establish a new community park​.