In its regular meeting held, Monday, January 14, 2019, the Greene County Commission approved a resolution allowing the county to enter an agreement with ALDOT to resurface County Road 72. The county’s share of the financial investment in the project will be $348,945.01. The commission also approved replacing the HAVC unit on the main courthouse facility at a cost of $29,753.
The County Commission is hoping to have a Bill in the 2019 State Legislative Session that will bring some changes regarding the County Coroner. The proposed Bill would allow the coroner to have a salary, instead of just depending on fees; it would allow the coroner to get needed equipment and space through the county including a vehicle for transporting. At Monday’s meeting, the commission approved advertising the Coroner’s Bill.
A delegation from the Town of Forkland was present anticipating action from the commission regarding a request for the county to convey to the town the property associated with the Forkland Park. At the commission work session, the previous week, the Forkland Mayor, Charlie MacAlpine and members of the Town Council presented this request to the commission. At that session, Mr. MacAlpine explained that the park needs to be re-vitalized and the town is willing to take on this responsibility including the up-keep, but would like to own the property.Following an executive session, Commissioner Allen Turner, who represents Forkland, offered a motion to table the request, seconded by Commissioner Corey Cockrell. The motion passed.
An item added to the agenda was the request from the Sheriff Department for the purchase of a vehicle. Commissioner Turner moved to purchase a vehicle at fair market value not to exceed the requested amount. At the previous work session, Chief Deputy Jeremy Rancher, presented a proposal to the commission for the purchase of a used vehicle available at a cost of approximately $45,000. He stated that a normal patrol car would cost from $55,000 and above. He also said that the county needs six vehicles replaced, and it would help if the commission could provide one at this time.
In other business, the commission appointed Greene County Health Services CEO, Dr. Marcia Pugh, to the EMT Board, and approved the purchase of a full page ad in the annual Black History Edition of the Greene County Democrat newspaper.
The commission was scheduled to confirm appointments on various county boards, however, many of these positions were tabled for a later time. For the Industrial Development Authority Board, the commission did approve the re-appointments of Dr. Warren Burke and Mr. Luther Winn, from Districts 1 and 2 respectively. IDA appointments for Districts 3 and 4 were tabled. For the PARA Board, the commission approved Mr. Christopher Stepner for District 4. PARA Board appointments for Districts 1 and 5 were tabled. Housing Authority of Greene County Board appointments for Districts 3 and 4 were tabled. Ms. Anna Gray was re-appointed to the Library Board for District 4. Districts 2 and 5 appointments were tabled.
The commission approved the travel requests for the County Engineer and Assistant Engineer, and approved hosting the Association of County Commissions of Alabama District Meeting scheduled for February 4, 2019. The ACCA will cover food and catering expenses.
The commission approved paying Mr. Jasper Means $6,500 for the safe house foundation until funds from FEMA are received.
The commission approved the financial report and the payment of claims as proposed by the CFO, Paula Bird. Ms. Bird reported the following bank balances as of December 18, 2018: Citizen Trust Bank, $3,186.545.46; Merchants & Farmers Bank, $2,458,290.70; CD Bonds, $924,445.41. There was not a report for the Bank of New York.