Commissioner Garria Spencer was selected as Chairperson and Roshanda Summerville as Vice-Chair
At its monthly session held Tuesday, November 12, 2024, the Greene County Commission conducted its re-organization of officers, meeting schedule, bank depositories and signatures for checks. Commissioner Garria Spencer was selected as Chairperson and Roshanda Summerville as Vice-Chair. Commissioner Spencer noted that the commissioners appointments to various committees will likely remain the same, with the chairperson as head of the finance committee. The final committee selections will be announced at the next meeting. The commissioners approved the same meeting schedule as 2nd Monday of the month at 5:00 pm in the William M. Branch Courthouse. The bank depositories will also remain the same including in Eutaw Citizen Trust Bank and Merchant & Farmers Bank; Robertson Banking Company in Demopolis and Pinnicle Bank in Birmingham. The check and safety deposit box signatories will remain the same including, Commissioners Garria Spencer, Corey Cockrell, CFO Macaroy Underwood and Brenda Burke. CFO Macaroy Underwood presented the financial report for October, the first month of the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Accounts payable totaled $1.468,281.60; Payroll Transfer totaled $303.121.83; Fiduciary totaled $72,447.27. Total claims paid: $1,843,850.70. Electronic claims paid in July totaled $70,439.32. Funds in Citizen Trust Bank: unrestricted totaled $2,148,509.99; restricted totaled $3,960,857.94. Funds in Merchants & Farmers Bank: unrestricted $2,155,651.52; restricted totaled $1,883,575.14. Three CD accounts were established at Pinnicle Bank including two at $500,000 each and one at $125,000. Standing CD accounts include Merchants & Farmers – $128,111.58; $119,599.05; $406,375.69; Robertson Banking Company $117,792.63. Bank Investments totaled $1,896,878.95. The commission approved the minutes of the previous meeting, the finance report and payment of claims.
Racing Commission awards operating license for pari-mutual wagering and simulcast racing
The Greene County Racing Commission has awarded a six year operating license to Five Star Investment Company, LLC to conduct parimutuel wagering with authorization to conduct Greyhound Simulcasting and Historical Horse Racing Gaming. According to the Racing commission, only one application was submitted. The license is awarded for six years at a fee of $10,000 per year. The licensee will contribute 4% of revenues to the Racing Commission towards its operations and to distribute to designated entities as previously prescribed by Alabama Legislative Action. These entities include Greene County Hospital Board, Greene County Board of Education, Greene County Commission, incorporated municipalities, law enforcement, ambulance service and maintenance, other designated community organizations and programs. The new licensee will conduct simulcasting gaming at the Palace Gaming facility in Knoxville. Reportedly, the Racing Commission’s offices will also be located at the Palace. The previous license for Pare-Mutuel Wagering, Greyhound Simulcasting and Historical Horse Racing Gaming had been held by Greenetrack, Inc. and operated at its gaming facility. According to Mr. Luther Winn, former Greenetrack, Inc. CEO and President, the Greenetrack facilities on Greene County Road 208 and all properties, once in Greenetrack’s name, have been confiscated by the State of Alabama. The Greenetrack Gaming facility, previously co-owned by Greenetrack stockholders and the Greene County government is currently co-owned by the State of Alabama and Greene County government. It should be noted that the electronic bingo gaming which the State of Alabama deemed illegal at Greenetrack and precipitated its closing is the same electronic bingo gaming currently operating at other facilities in Greene County.
At its regular meeting on September 9, 2024, the Greene County Commission reviewed and passed a number of routine business items.
The Commission approved the extension and renewal of a variety of contracts, including the Alabama Department of Youth Service, for dealing with detention of youth offenders; the ACCA Workmen’s Compensation Self Insurance Fund; and the CIMS contract for soft wear at $750 a month for the
Greene County Highway Department.
The Commission also approved the 2025 Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday for February 21-23, 2025, which exempts certain needed item from taxation for that designated weekend.
The Commission also approved several requests from the Greene County Highway Department:
• Agreed to purchase a new garbage truck for $268,394, based on a budgetary plan for trading in used equipment for new vehicles;
• Clean up scrap and garbage on County Road 210, outside of Boligee;
• Approved advertising for an Assistant Superintendent; and
• Approved travel for the County Engineer to attend the Alabama Road Safety Conference on October 15-17, 2024, in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
The Commission accepted the low bid of $105,020 from Just Rite Heating and Cooling, for HVAC units at the County Courthouse. The Commission also accepted the low bid of $32,500, from M & H Construction Company for replacement of doors at the Eutaw Activity Center.
The Commission received and accepted a report from CFO Mac Underwood on the financial status of the Commission as of August 31, 2024, the eleventh month of the fiscal year. The Commission has $2,848,852 in unrestricted funds and $3,676,857 in restricted funds deposited with Citizens Trust Bank. In Merchants and Farmers Bank, the Commission has $3,088,151 in unrestricted bingo funds and $1,723,584 in restricted funds. The total unrestricted funds are $5,937,004 and $ 5,400,442 in restricted funds. The Commission also has $899,569 in bond sinking funds.
For the month of August, the Commission spent a total of $803,667 and an additional $71,057 in electronic claims. All the departmental budgets are in line with the budget as of August 31, 2024.
A separate report was presented on the use of American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funding given to the County, showing $67,790 in unexpended funds.
On the report there is a note that the E-911 Board requested additional operating funds and that the Greene County Industrial Development Authority requested funds for building renovations. All the ARPA funds must be obligated by the end of this calendar year.
The Greene County Commission held it regular monthly meeting, Monday, May 13, 2024 with all commissioners present. A carryover from the Commission’s work session the prior week was a discussion of the property taxes due on the Greenetrack property, which is co-owned by the Greene County government. To avoid allowing that property to be listed for public auction, the commission voted unanimously, in this meeting, to remit the taxes due, totaling $33,365.48. The general concern was that someone would outbid the county at public auction.
Another carryover item from the work session related to consideration of the commission establishing a Greene County Cemetery Rehabilitation Authority. The Authority members would serve as volunteers surveying and recording unkempt and dilapidated cemeteries throughout the county. It was unclear what steps would follow or what the commission could do with this information, since many long-dated cemeteries are on private properties. Commissioner Allen turner offered the motion to establish the Authority, but it failed for lack of a second.
In other business, the Commission acted on the following:
* Approved an Intergovernmental Equipment and Service Agreement.
* Approved contract with Yellowhammer Network, LLC – right-of-way for fiberoptic network.
* Approved using a portion of the $100,000 ARPA funds for some Courthouse and Activity Center upgrades.
* Approved establishing the Greene County Recognition and Appreciation Program.
* Approved request of the Society of Folk Arts & Culture for use of courthouse restrooms during 2024 festival activities.
* Approved purchasing full page graduation ad in special edition of the Democrat newspaper.
* Approved change orders for courthouse renovations.
* Approved travel for engineer and assistant engineer.
* Tabled Solid Waste Collection proposal until a public hearing is held. The commission noted that there will be no change in fees and no employee layoff.
Cancelled the executive session listed on the agenda.
CFO Macaroy Underwood’s financial reports for April 2024 included the following bank balances: Citizen Trust, unrestricted $3,118,166.45; restricted, $4,537,889.86. Merchant & Farmers, unrestricted $6,159,028.49; restricted, $6,287,315.88; Investment Funds totaled $896,515.53. Accounts Payable totaled $1,169,916.23. Payroll transfers totaled $291,807.98 and Fiduciary was $50,283.29. Electronic Claims paid for March 2024 were $70,102.67.
The Greene County Commission met in regular session, Monday, April 8, 2024 with all commissioners present.The commission approved the preparation of a cooperative agreement with the City of Eutaw to fix County Road 76 where the city has a water tower located. Eutaw Mayor Latosha Johnson stated the road is in dire repair and ADECA has provided resources to the city for personnel and material cost needed for the repair. The city is requesting the use of machinery needed for the repair.
At the commission’s work session, held Wednesday, April 3, the Engineer’s office recommended that the commission develop a policy and agreement for municipalities to borrow county equipment. The county’s attorney had not yet prepared the policy and agreement draft, thus the commission approved the short term cooperative arrangement with Eutaw City regarding use of county equipment for County Road 76.
Mayor Johnson and various commissioners voiced similar statements that we are one community and must come to the aid of each other whenever we can.
The commission also took the following actions:
* Approved appointment of Mrs. Loretta Webb Wilson to EMS Board, on a 4-1 vote.
* Approve hiring Ms. Shamira Means as Appraisal Clerk.
* Approved Tax Revenue Enhancement Agreement with Avenu for Tax Revenue Administration.
* Approved Diversifies Computer Service Agreement for Highway Department.
* Approved to mill up county Road 136 and make it a dirt road.
* Approved CDBG Form 5 for March.
* Approved proposal for courthouse roof repair.
* Approved option 2 proposal for courthouse foyer and bathroom renovation.
* Approved updating EOP Plan.
* Approved AAEM membership dues for EMA Director and Assist. Director at $50 each.
* Approved EMA Assist. Director attendance at Alabama Disaster Preparedness Conference.
Tabled rental prices for Eutaw Activity Center.
The commission went into a brief executive session with no actions following.
CFO, Macaroy Underwood presented the following financial reports for March, 2024.
Citizen Trust Bank unrestricted funds – $3,239,276.54; restricted funds – $4,572,897.07.
Merchants & Farmers Bank unrestricted funds – $6,205,138,58; restricted funds – $6,102,613.14; total bond investments -$895,755.12. Accounts payable totaled $517,295.10; payroll transfer totaled $329,107.34; fiduciary totaled $32,822.28; electronic claims totaled $52,678.19. In the General Fund Budget, recap 57% is left overall.
The Greene County Commission met in regular session, Monday, March11 with all commissioners present. The body approved the previous minutes, agenda, financial report and payment of claims as presented by CSFO Mac Underwood in the work session held Wednesday, March 6, 2024.
The first item of new business, approved by the commission, (with an abstention by Commissioner Tennyson Smith) was a resolution requesting the State Attorney General’s opinion regarding the Coroner’s (Ronald Kent Smith) salary and expenses allowance as indicated in a Local Legislative Act approved and signed by Governor Kay Ivey in March 2020. This Act authorizes the Greene County Commission to provide for the compensation and expense allowance of the coroner including expenses for the operation of the office of coroner and to repeal Section 45-32-60.01 of the Code of Alabama 1975.
The Act passed in 2020 states: “The Greene County Commission may provide the Coroner of Greene County with additional expense allowance and compensation or salary. The county commission may provide for any expense allowance granted to the Coroner by this Act or otherwise to convert to salary effective beginning the next term of office of the coroner.”
Greene County Coroner, Ronald K. Smith, began a new term of office in 2022. Mr. Smith indicated his salary and expenses allowance should have been adjusted at that time. He said he has approached the commission numerous times regarding an adjustment in pay,
In other business the commission acted on the following:
* Approved ABC License for Greene County Entertainment, with four commissioners voting for and Commission Chairperson Corey Cockrell voting against.
* Approved Drug and Alcohol Abuse Policy.
Approved travel for Board of Registrars and Assistant Engineer
The financial report for February 2024 was as follows: Accounts Payable -$725,439.09; Payroll Transfer – $289,883.73; Fiduciary – $721,162.61; Total $1,736,485.43. Electronic Claims paid January, 2024 totaled $52,678.19. Unrestricted Funds in Citizen Trust Bank totaled $3,474,352.09. Restricted Funds in Citizen Trust Bank Totaled $4,760,130.74. Unrestricted Funds in Merchants & Farmers Bank totaled $2,900,862.04. Restricted Funds in Merchants & Farmers Bank totaled $1,467,507.61. Total investments reported as $894,295.60.
The Eutaw City Council met for its regular second meeting of the month on Tuesday, November 28, 2023. The Mayor and four council members: Jacqueline Stewart, Tracey Hunter, Valerie Watkins, and Larrie Coleman, were present.
Joe Powell, Assistant City Clerk, opened bids for repair of two rest rooms at the Robert H. Young Community Center (former Carver School).
There were two bids, and the Council awarded the bid to M&H Construction Company for $17,500. He also opened bids for repair of one rest room at the National Guard Armory. M&H Construction was again the low bidder at $7,500 for this work.
The Council asked the Mayor and staff to carefully check the bonding and insurance qualifications of the low bidder to make sure they were in compliance with the bid requirements and specifications before award the bids.
The Council also approved advertising for sale of a used Greyhound bus using the city’s website, to determine if there is any interest in purchasing this surplus item.
The Council tabled a sale of land on Boligee Street to the Greene County Commission, for construction of a water park. There were questions about the nature of the proposed water park and the inclusion of a redemption clause in the sale if the project is not built within a reasonable period of time.
An offer of $6,000 from Freedom Rock Church to purchase four acres of city owned land, was rejected by the Council for being below the fair market value of the land. The church proposed to purchase land on the Lock 7 Road, near the City Park, for construction of a church and community building. The Mayor said, “We are supportive of building the church and community facilities, but we want them to pay a fair price We will try to get an appraisal to show the fair market value of the land.”
The Council, which has vacated the District 2 seat of LaJeffrey Carpenter, agreed that December 6 was the deadline for residents of the district to send a letter of interest in the position; and that the Council will interview applicants on December 11 for the position, so an appointment can be made, and the position filled at the December 12 next regular meeting of the Council.
The Council received several financial reports from Financial Adviser Ralph Liverman on the status of city bank accounts. They also voted to pay bills that had been processed by staff for payment.
In the public comments section, there were several comments from residents, including Faye Tyree and Vivian Carpenter that the City of Eutaw was not moving forward as quickly as they wished.
The Greene County Commission met in a call meeting, June 27, 2023 to consider action on an ADEM Waste Water grant application and accompanying resolution to replace timber bridge on County Road 213 over Minter Creek. The total cost of the project is $231,883. The ADEM grant will provide $150,000 (75%) of the cost, with the county providing a cash match of $11,927 and in-kind labor valued at $69.956. County employees will be assigned the tasks needed for the project during the regular work schedules. Commissioner Allen Turner offered the motion to approve implementation of the project as presented, Commissioner Garria Spencer gave the second. The motion was approved.
Diagram of Elements of a Broadband Network from presentation at meeting
By: John Zippert,
Co-Publisher
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) sponsored an informational and introductory meeting on their Broadband Technical Assistance Program on December 14, 2022, at the Robert H. Young Community Center.
ADECA is working with the Greene County Commission and Greene County Industrial Development Authority (GCIDA) and CTC Technology and Energy, a well-respected consulting firm, to bring information and initiate a planning process to ensure that broadband is brought to all parts of the county at an affordable price.
Joanne Hovis with CTC Technology explained, “There are substantial resources in the CARES Act, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the Infrastructure bills passed by Congress to extend broadband throughout the nation. $42 billion has already been allocated and $100 billion more will be coming over the next two years. People in Alabama, particularly in underserved rural areas like Greene County, need to be aware and vigilant that these resources are coming and are used wisely to provide broadband to all the people, especially those who have been neglected in the past.”
The CTC Consultants called broadband, ‘the electricity of the 21st century’ meaning that fiber optic connections to the residential level will be needed for work, recreation, education, medical care, home security and many other functions as time goes forward in this century. Digital equity in terms of access and affordability for broadband with greater speeds will be a necessary utility for the future.
The speed of broadband is a critical factor in its future development. Faster speeds will be needed to transmit more complex data, like x-rays for tele-medicine, presentations with pictures and interactive maps, and complex video games played by groups of people.
Currently the FCC definition is 25 megabits per second down and 3 megabits per second up. Congress set a new standard of 100/20 megabits in the ARPA and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Alabama has set a 100/100 Mbps standard for future infrastructure funded by the state. Fiber optic connections will be needed for services provided by to meet these standards.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has recently issued a new map, available on its website, of currently available broadband connections. The ADECA consultants urged local officials to study these maps and make challenges where the maps are incorrect, so the state planning process will be grounded in true data.
The State of Alabama expects to receive more than a $100 million dollars, from Federal sources) over the next two years to work with local communities and Internet Service Providers (ISP’s) to provide a broadband network, down to the residential level. This will provide broadband services to all people, especially in underserved rural areas, like Greene County with large populations of African American and poor people.
Several representatives of ISP’s were represented at the meeting, including Charter Communications, A. T & T, Eagle Wireless, Meridian Wireless Manufacturing and Tallis Communications, a broadband equipment manufacturer. These ISP’s introduced themselves and said they were working with ADECA to bring broadband to Greene County. Conspicuously absent was any representation from Black Warrior Electric Cooperative. In several parts of the state of Alabama, electrical cooperatives have taken the lead in bringing broadband to their rural residents.
Another aspect of providing broadband services involves making them affordable to people of low and modest incomes. The CTC Consultants said there was an existing Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) which provides $30 per month subsidy to assist low-income residents to afford internet services. The program includes support for discounts to acquire devises like tablets, laptop computers and smart phones. 75% of the eligible households in Greene County have yet to enroll in this program. This statistic is also a measure of the current limitation of access to broadband in Greene County.
Unless replenished by increased Federal appropriations, the Affordable Connectivity Program will run out of funding in two years. This of course is right about the time that broadband access is projected for Greene County residents through other programs.
ADECA representatives explained that this was the first of several meetings to prepare for and plan for broadband access in Greene County.
Between this meeting and the next in the Spring of 2023, they recommended that the County officials review the FCC map of broadband access and report any errors and omissions, since these maps will be used to plan future services based on greatest need. Secondly, they suggested a continuing dialog with ISP’s to determine ways to collaborate to insure services to all areas of the county.
ADECA and the consultants also urged officials present to help encourage eligible people to enroll in the Affordable Connectivity Program, to get the $30 per month subsidy on the cost of broadband. They also suggested that local officials and organizations study the Rural Digital Opportunities Fund for ways to help people get the devices needed to connect to the internet, including services that would lend people tablets and laptops to use to connect to the Internet.
Persons interested in learning more about the Broadband Technical Assistance Program, may contact: Mac Underwood, CFO, Greene County Commission, 205-372-3349; or Phillis Belcher, Executive Director GCIDA at 205-372-9769 org cida@uwa.edu.
In the past four months, since mid-May, the Greene County Emergency Medical Services (GEMS) has made major progress with solid support from the Greene County community. GEMS has secured funding for two new ambulances; moved to a new office, across from the Greene County Hospital; hired a new director and staff; secured a new billing agency and higher reimbursement rates from Medicare and insurance providers; and with the help of supporters was able to raise its basic operating budget. At its May 23, 2022, meeting the board selected Chris Jones as its new director and asked the Greene County Commission, City of Eutaw, Towns of Boligee, Union and Forkland, the Sheriff, as well as other agencies and businesses to help save and support the county’s ambulance service. This meeting was held after the prior director informed the state that the GEMS service was closing, and he resigned. The board wrote the state to rescind his letter and started to rebuild. Prior to the May board meeting, the Greene County Commission pledged $125,000 in American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds toward acquisition of a new truck engine and chassis to mount and renovate the service’s existing ambulance box. The service secured a loaner ambulance until the newly refurbished ambulance is delivered later this year. At its September 13, 2022, meeting, the Eutaw City Council approved a contribution of $26,000, of its ARPA funding as matching funds to acquire a second ambulance and stretcher from the Alabama Council on Emergency Medical Services. Joe Lee Powell, Chair of the GEMS Board says, “We will soon have two working ambulances that we need to provide services to the residents and visitors of Greene County.” The Eutaw City Council previously used $62,000 of CARES funds to provide lifesaving equipment to the service. Chris Jones, GEMS Director, put together a plan asking the Commission and municipalities to help cover the $40,000 monthly payroll of the ambulance service for three months while a new billing agency was brought onboard and up to speed to provide the operating revenues for the system. The Greene County Commission approved three months of operating support at $18,356 a month – a total of $55,068. The City of Eutaw has provided $36,000 in operating support since the beginning of 2022. The Town of Boligee has contributed $10,000 in support this year, including $1,500 a month, pledged for the three-month period. The Town of Union has also pledged support. Sheriff Benison from bingo funds has contributed $65,000 and pledged $8,500 a month for the three-month special operating fund campaign. The Greene County Health System has provided a house across the street from the hospital as an office and staging area for the ambulance staff including showers, kitchen and sleeping facilities. The GCHS Board agreed to provide seven months rent at $550 a month, from June through December 2022 as a $3,850 contribution to the ambulance service operating budget. The Greene County Industrial Development Authority contributed $5,000 towards the ambulance service. Danny Cooper, GCIDA Chair said, “You never know when you will need an ambulance – so we must support our emergency service. We must have a functional ambulance service to assist businesses and industries that may have on-the-job accidents and injuries, needing ambulance services.” The RockTenn Corporation, owners of the Eutaw box plant have given $5,000 toward the GEMS operating budget and other businesses in the county are expected to follow this example. The services has received other small contributions from individuals. Dr. Marcia Pugh, vice chairperson of the GEMS board and Hospital CEO, said “We are grateful to the agencies, businesses, and people of the community for coming forward to help us stabilize and support our ambulance service. We are determined to have an emergency service that can serve the people spread around our rural county. We may need continued assistance to provide timely and quality ambulance services.”
