Greene Co. Public Works Shop held a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday, October 11, 2016 construction started on October 3, 2016 shown above L to R Commissioner Lester Brown, Clifford Safford of Safford Building Company, Commissioners Michael William, Tennyson Smith, Corey Cockrell and Allen Turner, Jr.
The Greene County Commission, at its monthly meeting held Tuesday, October 11, 2016, authorized Attorney Hank Sanders to respond to Sheriff Jonathan Benison’s lawsuit filed last week which requests that the court enforce the Settlement Agreement with the commission.
In an unanimous vote by the four commissioners present, the commission directed the attorney to respond that the county wants the Settlement Agreement enforced.
Among the provisions of the Agreement, signed by the two parties last January, the Sheriff agreed to provide the county with $85 per bingo machine per month from each gaming facility beginning February 2016. The county’s records indicate that Sheriff Benison has not complied with this provision. These funds, if received from the Sheriff, would help support Sheriff Department personnel. The County agreed to make some upgrades at the jail, including improving the camera system. The commission explained it has been trying to get bids for the project.

The commission voted to support several of the State’s Constitutional Amendments, relating to county government, which will be on the November 8 ballot, including Amendments 3, 4, and 14. Amendment 3 addresses how local legislation is enacted; Amendment 4 addresses increasing local power of county government; and Amendment 14 addresses the lawsuit claiming thousands of local bills are unconstitutional. This Amendment would cure the potential constitutional effect. During the meeting Commissioner Allen Turner’s motion to go into executive session failed for lack of a second.
In other business the commission approved the following:
*Re-appointment of John Zippert to Hospital Board from District 1; Appointment of Eddie Austin to Hospital Board from District 4.
*Recognized Blake McMillian for completion of training with the Alabama Jail Training Academy.
*Accepted resignation of driver for county’s nutrition site. County will advertise to fill the position.
*Approved a ABC License for Mr. James Robinson
*Bids on materials for Highway Department.
*Approved 2017 Severe Weather Preparedness Tax Holiday February 24-26, 2017
*Approved hiring of one Equipment Operator I and one Equipment Operator II for the Highway Department.
*Approved GPS flyover with G Squared and authorize chairman to sign all necessary documents.
*Approved travel for Commissioner and staff. Commissioner- Leg. Conference- December 7-8, Montgomery,Alabama, CFO - Governmental Accounting and Auditing- Nov. 30 – Dec1- Birmingham, Tax Seminar- December 6-7- Bessemer AL (CFO pay for personally) Jail Administrator- Oct. 18-21 Mobile AL – Alabama Jail Association.
Please remember that Solid Waste Exemption Program began October 3 and will end November 30. There is a $10 adminstration fee and the application must be renewed annually.