By Maya Quinn, editor

The County Commission met in a called meeting on Monday, September 21st, to further discuss budget items for the upcoming year, namely solid waste management and school resource officers.

The solid waste department is currently operating at a deficit and aims to become self-sufficient. Assistant Engineer Calvin Culliver has been working tirelessly to balance the department’s budget so that they are self sufficient. After reviewing the rates of surrounding counties, the department has concluded that raising the rates is necessary to continue operations. Culliver discussed the improved budgets with an eventual rate of $29.00 per month, but asked for the commission to enforce it in increments. The commissioners voted to raise rates to $25.00 per month starting January 1st. They did not confirm if or when the rate would be increased again.

The county also approved the School Resource Officer (SRO) Contract with the Greene County School District. The contract ensures SROs will be supplied to the school district to communicate with the principals regarding law enforcement matters. The Sheriff is tasked with assigning six deputy sheriffs to the school district as follows: two SROs at Greene County High School, one SRO at Robert Brown Middle School that is available to float to other schools as needed, one SRO at the Greene County Learning Center, and one SRO at Eutaw Primary School. During the term of this agreement, the District must maintain funding levels to supply base pay, equipment, and fuel as determined by the Sheriff.

The County Commission’s next work session is scheduled for Wednesday, October 7th at 5:00 pm. Please contact the commissioner’s office to be added to the work session agenda.

Featured Image: Assistant Engineer Calvin Culliver presenting a solid waste proposal to the count commission