Greene County Democrat

Tag: Roshanda Summerville

  • Greene County Commission meets, approves way for the public to support ambulance services

    Greene County Commission meets, approves way for the public to support ambulance services

    The Greene County Commission met on Monday, March 9, 2026, for its regular monthly meeting. Three commissioners were present for the roll call: Garria Spencer, Chair, Tennyson Smith and Allen Turner. The other two commissioners: Latasha Johnson and Roshonda Summerville arrived late and participated in the meeting when they arrived.

    The meeting began with a report from Assistant Engineer Culliver, who asked that the Commission approve a resolution designating Noah’s Way as a county road for repair and maintenance purposes. The road is in District 5, and Commissioner Summerville has been trying for some time to get the road designated as a county road. At the earlier Commission work session, the status of Noah’s Way was discussed. The Commissioners decided to send the official decision to the Commission meeting, where the resolution was adopted.

    Culliver asked the Commission to approve the agreement with ALDOT to pursue the TAP grant to redo the sidewalks on the interior of the Old Courthouse Square, now named for Sheriff Thomas Gilmore. This project will complement the Street Scape project, which was completed last year by the City of Eutaw on the outside perimeter of the Thomas Gilmore Square.

    The TAP grant, which totals over a million dollars with an 80% state grant and 20% matching for engineering and construction, will redo all of the interior sidewalks on the square. This will make it easier for the many people who use this pathway to exercise and stay healthy.


    The third item on the agenda, which dealt with approving a contract for a Water Park Administration and Engineering firm to help design a “splash pad for children,” was tabled.

    The Commission approved travel for the Engineer and Assistant Engineer to attend a training conference on May 5 and 6 at Perdido Beach.

    The next item was added to the agenda at the meeting. Legal Counsel Mark Parnell proposed that the commission could establish an account, under the Commission’s General Fund, where individuals and businesses could contribute to support the ambulance service and have their contribution be tax-deductible, since the Commission and the ambulance service are public corporations – providing a service, not trying to be for-profit. The resolution creating a fund for contributions to the ambulance service was approved.

  • Greene County Commission provides $240,000 in assistance to the Greene County Health System

    By John Zippert, Co-Publisher and Editor

    In a special meeting on October 23, 2025, the Greene County Commission approved a loan/grant combination of $240,000 in financial assistance to the Greene County Health System (GCHS), which includes the hospital, nursing home and physician’s clinic.
    The healthcare system has been challenged by many financial problems over the past decade. The monthly revenues have not been sufficient to cover all expenses of the GCHS, for the past three years. “We have had to juggle bills for a while to keep operating and we have come to the end of the line. An IRS lien at the beginning of September took all our reserves and some funds we were holding to pay other bills. Last week, Blue Cross-Blue Shield, which provides health insurance for our employees cancelled our policy saying we owed $60,000 for two months – September and October,” said Dr. Marcia Pugh, GCHS Administrator.
    The income of the GCHS has been also affected by low reimbursement rates from Medicaid, Medicare and private insurance. The failure of the State of Alabama to expand Medicaid to persons making less that 135% of poverty level income, has resulted in 40% of the people in Greene County, most who are working at low wages, not to have any health insurance coverage. This has meant that the facilities of GCHS giving increasing “uncompensated care”, which adds to the facilities operating deficits. The uncertainty of the impact of future cuts in Medicaid, Medicare and other health care benefits casts a shadow over the future financial progress of the organization.
    John Zippert, Board Chair of the GCHS requested that Garria Spencer, Chair of the Greene County Commission consider advancing to the healthcare system $100,000 from the 4 mil advalorem, property tax funds , that the county collects for the hospital. Taxpayers are starting to pay their 2025 property taxes as of October 1, 2025, and will pay over the next four months. Spencer checked with the County’s Legal Counsel and called the special meeting for the Commission to discuss and act on the request.
    The Commission approved the $100,000 advance to be used to pay Blue Cross-Blue Shield to reinstate the employee health insurance and to pay other bills, including payroll. The Commission also approved transferring $40,000 of Opioid Lawsuit Settlement funds to the GCHS. At the suggestion of Commissioner Tennyson Smith, the Commission also approved granting $100,000 to GCHS from the Commission’s Bingo Funds. That resolution was amended by Commissioner Roshanda Summerville for $50,000 to be used for an audit and the remaining $50,000 to pay other bills, when the GCHS presents a list of bills owed. Commissioner Allen Turner urged the GCHS Board of Directors to seek funding from the sheriff, municipalities, and other groups receiving funds from gaming.
    John Zippert, GCHS Board Chair thanked the Commission for its support and said that the healthcare system might have to come back for additional help depending on the finances of the organization. Zippert explained that GCHS has a short-range financial plan and a longer-range plan that it was working to implement.
    The GCHS currently has a loan/bond financing arrangement with Citizens Trust Bank to pay off bills and debts that accumulated over a dozen years ago. This bond issue matures in 2027 but should have accumulated reserves to pay off the bonds early. The healthcare system looks to make a new loan/bond issue, with the support of the County Commission, to pay off over $2million of current debts. The bonds are backed by a one cent of the 3 cents sales tax that the County Commission receives each month. The County Commission pays the sales tax funds to the bank to service the secure bridge loans to keep operating until supplied the assurance necessary to the bank and the bondholders that they will be paid.
    Along with a new bond issue, the GCHS Board is looking to find other sources of new revenue for the health system. This includes a new Alabama Rural Hospital Investment Fund (RHIF), which can make grants for operational costs to qualified rural hospitals. The grant will be contingent on hospitals raising money from individuals and corporations willing to pay into the RHIF, in lieu of paying state income taxes. Another source will be the five-year, $50 billion fund for rural hospitals, in Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’. Federal regulations are still being developed for the dispersal of these funds. The GCHS also proposes to increase usage of the facilities which will increase revenues. Currently there are 38 residents in the Greene County Nursing Home, and they have 72 beds which potentially could be filled.
    The GCHS plans call for securing the new bond issue by the end of this calendar year. In the meantime, the short-range plan calls for bridge loans to help the facility remain open and operating to serve county residents. The plan also includes asking creditors for patience until the longer-range plan goes into effect to receive the funds they are owed.
    The GCHS Board of Directors, which is appointed by the County Commission, has vowed to keep the hospital, nursing home and clinic open and operating, no matter what it takes.

  • Commission accepts CFO’s resignation effective May 31, 2025

    Commission approves $400 monthly stipend for Water Authority members

    The Greene County Commission met in regular session Monday, March 10, 2025 with all commissioners present except Mr. Tennyson Smith. Following the executive session, the first item of new business was to consider the request from the Greene County Water Authority to authorize a $400 monthly stipend for each member of the Water Authority. This was approved on a 3-1 vote with commissioners Roshanda Summerville, Corey Cockrell and Allen Turner voting yes and Commissioner Garria Spencer voting no.
    This repeated request from the Water Authority has been pursued since the Commission increased the Authority members from three to five in 2024, so each district in the county could be represented. According to Commission Chairperson Spencer, the Water Authority’s request had not been considered by the commission, since no appointed county boards receive stipends. Spencer also noted that stipends cannot be paid from Federal Grants, only from the operating account which is funded by water fees from customers. “It is likely that water bills will be raised due to the cost of these stipends,” Spencer said.
    Vincent Atkins, the Water Authority’s Manager/Operator stated that in 2019 the Water Authority received a $400,000 grant from USDA to construct an office with a storm shelter and for major upgrades to the water system. Atkins explained that due in part to delays with the original contractor, the USDA grant was extended and following legal actions, the Water Authority received a settlement from that contractor.
    According to Atkins, the current contractor has raised the cost of the project by approximately $130,000 due to delays from the Water Authority. “If the Water Authority had processed the contracts and related necessary documents in a timely manner, we would have avoided this increase in cost,” Atkins stated.
    Atkins noted that along with having to pay stipends to members, the Water Authority
    must budget for a monthly debt service of $3,300 on a $900,000 outstanding bank loan related to this project; satisfy an annual $86,000 reserve for maintenance and replacements; create another reserve which must reach $42,000.
    The current members of the Greene County Water Authority are: Chairperson William Morgan, appointed in 2022; Walter Beck appointed in 2021; Andre Woods, Don Woods and Barry Walker appointed in 2024.
    CFO Macaroy has submitted his resignation as Chief Financial Officer for the county, effective May 31, 2025. Underwood noted that he is nearing retirement and will assist the county with this transition.
    “Greene County is my home and it has been an honor to serve my home community as Greene County, Alabama CFO since 2020. I worked most of my professional career in Birmingham, Alabama; but, it’s truly been a pleasure to work for the Greene County Commission for four years. The county is in better financial condition than when I started and I’m a better person after working for Greene County,” said Mac Underwood. Underwood’s resignation was approved.
    The commission approved a request from Iron Wolk LLC to continue consulting with county attorney Mark Parnell relative to securing use of the former Greenetrack property. No additional information was provided on the company’s plan for the property.
    In other business, the commission acted on the following:
    Approved the finance report and payment of bells.
    Approved MSB for bridge on County Road 20 at cost of $883,349, to be paid from Rebuild Alabama Fund.
    Approved travel for Assistant Engineer.
    Approved contract with Cooks Pest Control for the Eutaw Activity Center.
    Authorized Engineer’s office to apply for $400,000 Alabama Forestry (reimbursement) Grant to upgrade roads traveled by heavy trucks.
    CFO Underwood presented the following financial report for February 2025 – claims paid from general fund. Accounts payable totaled $242,993.24; payroll transfer totaled $289,620.36; fiduciary totaled $63,703.78; electronic claims paid totaled $74,089.09. Citizen Trust Bank unrestricted funds totaled $2,149,021.55; restricted funds totaled $5,319,334.98. Merchants & Farmers Bank unrestricted funds totaled $1,354,645.08; restricted funds totaled $2,537,746.71. CD’s and investments totaled $1,898,597.43.

  • Greene County Commission re-elects same officers

    Greene County Commissioners L To R: Allen Turner, Garria Spencer, Roshanda Summerville, Corey Cockrell and Tennyson Smith

    At its organizational meeting for the new fiscal year, on November 13, 2023, the Greene County Commission re-elected the same officers to serve another term of one year. Corey Cockrell was elected Chairperson and Garria Spencer was elected as Vice-Chair of the Commission.

    The Commission voted to retain the same committees, bank depositories and check signatories as in the past year. They also agreed to hold their regular monthly meeting on the second Monday of each month at 5:00PM. The Commission invites the public to attend their meetings.

    Macelroy Underwood, County Chief Financial Officer gave a financial report to the Commission on the status of finances. As of September 30, 2023, the Commission had in Citizens Trust Bank, $2,438,866 in unrestricted General Funds and $4,179,277 in restricted funds, totaling.
    $ 6,618,143.

    In Merchants and Farmers Bank, the Commission had $ 2,979,181 in unrestricted funds from electronic bingo and $ 1,183,489 in restricted funds, totaling $ 4,162,670. There were also $ 889,506 in Bond Sinking Funds. The total funds in banks were $ 5,412,552 in unrestricted funds and $ 5,938,932 in restricted funds for a total of $ 11,351,484.

    The Commission paid $ 1,066,072 in claims for the month of October 2023, first month of the new fiscal year. This included $ 682,635 in accounts payable, payroll of $281,164 and fiduciary expenses of $102,271, which are mandated, tax, Social Security, and retirement benefits for staff.

    The expenditure budget from the General Fund showed all departments were in range of expenditures for the month in comparison to budget.

    In the public comments, Sandra Walker thanked the Commission and individual commissioners for their support of the recent Miss Black Teen of Alabama Pageant held at the Renaissance Theater in Eutaw.

  • Summerville seeks re-election as County Commissioner, District 5

    Roshanda Summerville

    Do not withhold good from those whom it is due, When it’s in your power to act. -Proverbs 3:27


    Citizens of Greene County and Voters of District 5, I am seeking your support, prayers and votes to be re-elected as Greene County Commissioner District 5. My plan has always been relatively simple but also beneficial. When I took my oath back four years ago, it was to serve the voters of District 5 and the citizens of Greene County. I would like to continue representing and serving the citizens of Greene County and voters of District 5 with profound integrity and grace.
    I am always dedicated, fair, and firm in what I believe will move Greene County and District 5 forward. I have made improvements to District 5 and Greene County and yet we still have a long way to go. I ask you, the voters of District 5, to vote for the obvious choice in the Primary Election on May 24, 2022 and re-elect Roshanda Summerville, a proven leader as Greene County Commissioner District 5. Keep Progress Working For You.

  • Commission at odds with attorney selection process; adds four new projects to budget

    The Greene County Commission met in regular session, Monday, May 10, 2021, with its recently hired legal counsel Attorney Mark Parnell of Birmingham. Prior to the agenda being approved, Commissioner Lester Brown noted that the item, Approval of Previous Minutes, was not on the agenda. Following the lead of the Commission Chairperson, Roshanda Summerville, the agenda was accepted, with the added minutes, on a motion by Commissioner Allen Turner, second by Commissioner Lester Brown. Prior to the April 12 minutes being acted on, Commissioner Brown noted that those minutes did not address the fact that the voting procedures, led by Commissioner Summerville, for hiring legal counsel at the April meeting did not allow him or Commissioner Tennyson Smith to cast a vote for the candidate of their choice. According to Brown, when the Chairperson called for the vote on Candidate 1, three commissioners voted for Candidate 1 and Commissioner Summerville then declared that Candidate 1 was selected and ended the process. Votes were not called for the other candidates. Brown insisted that he and Smith should have been afforded the opportunity to vote on the other candidates, so their choices would be in the record. This is what Brown wanted to add to the minutes. “I am not attempting to change how the vote went; majority rules and I accept that. I just wanted the chance to put my vote for another candidate in the record,” he stated. Commissioner Corey Cockrell commented that when Candidate 1 received the majority vote, what’s the use of voting on anybody else. When Commission Attorney Parnell was asked for advice on the matter, he inquired whether the minuets had been voted on; the Chairperson affirmed they had not. Parnell then stated that the minutes could not be changed, but he informed Brown that his statements could be placed in the minutes of the current meeting. There was no clarification for the basis of this statement on the minutes by the attorney. In most rules of order, minutes can be changed – corrected and amended. As the business continued, CFO Macaroy Underwood presented the finance report including payment of claims and budget amendments. The budget amendments included items/projects not in the current approved budget. Six safe rooms were approved at a cost of $600,000 to come from bingo revenue; Security system for Highway Department at a cost of $15,750; Repairs and maintenance to jail control panel at a cost of $15,000. Underwood noted that insurance the county pays has increased by $22,577.38. This was also not in the current budget. He also presented the claims paid for April: Accounts Payable – $237,401.27; Payroll Transfer – $213,815.29; Fiduciary – $535,234,84; Electronic Claims Paid – $75,093.69. According to Underwood, 43% of the county’s budget should be remaining, however, four departments are under 43%. In other business, the commission acted on the following: * Approved all county employees returning to full time on May 17, 2021. * Approved the County Engineer’s contract as presented. * Approved the Engineer purchasing milling at a cost of $14,000 to be paid from bingo funds. (Milling is recycled asphalt which will be used on dirt roads.) * Approved Highway Department doing foundation work with the Water Authority. * Approved travel request for Assistant Engineer to attend class in Prattville, June 9-10, 2021. * Approved contracting with Secretary of State regarding new handicap accessible voting machines. * Approved Legal Shields speaking with employees regarding payroll deduction. Tabled all open appointments for DHR and PARA Boards. * Approved Back-to-School 2021 Sales Tax Holiday Resolution. * Denied request from the Democrat for graduation ad in special issue saluting graduating students. At the close of the commission meeting during public comments, Mr. Spiver Gordon, longtime community activist, expressed his opinion regarding the dismissal of Senator Hank Sanders as county attorney and the commission’s procedure in selecting new legal counsel. Gordon said he represented the views of many Greene Countians who were disappointed with the commission’s actions against Attorney Sanders who had served the county for more than 25 years. He related Sanders’ services to the community throughout the Civil Rights era without expectation of monetary payment. “I know the commission has the right to hire who they want as county attorney, but many of us are disappointed in how you went about it,” he said. Gordon noted that Sanders was not afforded the respect of an interview. Gordon also expressed concern with the commission’s monthly meeting schedule. “The county commissions is an elected body that is supposed to serve the people, yet you are distancing yourselves from the community by scheduling your meetings at 3:30 in the afternoon. Not many citizens can attend at that time,” he stated. Gordon also noted that executive sessions during the meeting were once placed toward the end of the agenda, when the public could leave after hearing the earlier business on the agenda. “Now with your executive session near the top of the agenda, we have to wait a very long time to hear the rest of the business of the meeting,” he stated. Gordon cautioned the commissioners that they should revisit their duties and commitment of service to the people. Ms. Iris Sermon, E911 Director, addressed the commission regarding wording or presentation of items listed on the agenda for action. “The items begin with the word ‘consider’ therefore when the commission votes, you are voting to consider the item, not really voting to approve or not approve the item,” she stated. Sermon asked the commission to look closely at how they design their agenda. 

  • County partners with BBCF for advanced funds to purchase COVID related items/services

    The Greene County Commission met in its regular session, Monday, Dec. 14, 2020 with all commissioners in attendance. The agenda presented was approved with an addendum, offered by Commissioner Corey Cockrell, proposing that Bingo funds received by the county be separated from the country’s general funds and only spent when authorized by the County Commission. The proposal was approved.
    The County Commission also agreed that any additional items and/or services related to addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, and approved by the state, would be purchased with advance funds available through the Black Belt Community Foundation (BBCF). Once the county receives its CARES reimbursement, BBCF would be refunded the advance funds provided. This arrangement with BBCF allows the county to make needed purchases without tying up local funds or making other budget adjustments. To date, the county has expended approximately $220,000 in COVID related expenditures. Greene County has been allotted a total of $500,000 in CARES money.
    BBCF, which raised these earmarked funds to assist local communities, has a similar arrangement with other county and municipal governments in its service area.
    The commission approved a staggered schedule for county employees through the end of this calendar year. The county offices will remain open, but will serve citizens by appointment only.
    County offices will be closed for the holidays on December 24 and 25, 2020 as well as on January 1, 2021.
    The commission approved a one-time payment to employees at the rate of $300 for part-time employees and $550 for full time employees.
    Commission Chairperson, Roshanda Summerville, announced the following commission committee appointments: Commissioner Lester Brown is assigned Education; Commissioner Corey Cockrell is assigned Highway and Solid Waste; Commissioner Allen Turner is assigned Public Safety and Health; Commissioner Tennyson Smith is assigned Industrial Development and Summerville is assigned to Personnel and Finance.
    In other business, the commission acted on the following:
    Tabled consideration of draft suit related to Commission vs Greene County Sheriff.
    Approved extension of exemption application to January 18, 2021.
    Approved engineer hiring additional staff for paving.
    Approved hiring personal property clerk.
    Approved match for 2021 HRRR Grant (Bridges without guardrails).
    Approved modification of the 2020 HRR grant to include just two sites.
    Approved three year participation plan for liability coverage renewal (related to bridges).
    Approved advertising for solid waste driver.
    Approved Red Cross Agreement, relative to county providing use of facility during disaster recovery assistance.
    The County CFO, Macaroy Underwood presented the following bank balances as of November 20, 2020. Citizen Trust Bank – $3,848,524.22; Merchant & Farmers Bank – $2,845,573.19; Investments – $1.076,756.46. Bank of New York – Report not available.
    Underwood reported the following claims paid for November: General Fund – $$86,999.60; Gasoline – $51,911.28; Appraisal Fund – $$1,098.93; Solid Waste – $17,942.41;
    Senior Citizen Fund – $1,108.84; Federal match – $436.34. Electronic claims paid totaled $75,827.09.

  • Commissioner Turner places item on agenda to advertise for legal representation

    The Greene County Commission held its regular monthly meeting Monday, September 14, 2020 at 3:30 pm. Prior to any action taken on the agenda, Commissioner Lester Brown raised concerns about item 11 on the agenda which had not been proposed and discussed in the commission’s work session held the previous Wednesday. Agenda Item 11 called for advertising for legal representation for the commission.
    In the course of the discussion, it was revealed that only Commissioner Roshanda Summerville had received a call, prior to the meeting, from Commission Chairperson Allen Turner, Jr. informing her that item 11 would be on the agenda. Commissioner Corey Cockrell stated that he had not been told the item would be on the agenda, but he could recall other instances when items, not discussed in a work session were placed on the following agenda.
    According to Commissioner Brown, the Commission’s Policies and Procedures require that there must be a unanimous decision by the commission before an item can be added to the agenda. This can be substantiated by statements contained in the Commission’s Rules of Order document:
    Rules of Procedure, Section V
    Order of Business
    “A. There shall be an official agenda for every meeting of the Commission, including special and emergency meetings. …The agenda for the regularly scheduled meetings shall identify the items to be considered and determine the order of business to be conducted at the meeting.
    …The agenda shall be established prior to each meeting under procedures to be adopted by the County Commission.
    J. Any departure from the order of business set forth in the official agenda shall be made only upon affirmative vote of all the members of the Commission present at the meeting.
    L. Additions to the agenda shall only be made by affirmative vote of all the members of the Commission present at the meeting.”Both Commissioners Lester Brown and Tennyson Smith stated that Turner had disrespected them in placing an item on the agenda without contacting them for their input.
    The agenda was eventually approved with three votes.
    Following an executive session, the commission approved all the items on the agenda, with little clarity as to how item 11 would be executed. According to Commissioner Lester Brown, he offered a motion to put a contract in place with the commission’s current legal representative, Attorney Hank Sanders. “My motion was to replace what was presented in Item 11, with a contract for the attorney” Brown stated. Brown’s motion was approved, however, a spokesperson in the commission’s office stated that the commission agreed to put a contract in place and advertise for legal representation.
    Commissioner Turner stated in a later conversation that the commission voted to approve Agenda Item 11 to advertise for legal representative and include providing a contract. “Our current attorney is not under contract with the commission. He can show up or not show up. His contract expired years ago and was not dealt with,” he said. Turner also acknowledged that Attorney Sanders was not notified that the commission intended to advertise for legal representation.
    When asked if he had someone in mind to bring in as legal counsel for the commission, Turner responded: “ That is something the commission will decide.”
    Other actions taken by the commission included the following:
    Approved the 2019-2020 School Resource Officers (SRO) Contract. Reportedly, the commission had not received the 2019-2020 contract from the Sheriff’s office during that school term.
    Approved the Errors Report as presented by Revenue Commissioner’s office.
    Approved the transfer of 2014 Dodge Ram truck from Road Department to Maintenance Department.
    *Approved agreement with Terracon for aquifer testing at landfill for cost of #3,500.
    Approved option to close unused landfill at cost of $30,245.
    Approved renewing CIMS agreement for period of October 1, 2020 – September 30, 2021.
    Approved engineering soliciting proposals for bridge replacement for STR#30032-265, bridge on County Road 60.
    Approved ratifying removal of a tree on a building at Robert Brown Middle School.
    With the county’s fiscal year ending, September 30, the finance department reported the budget balances for the various departments. As of September, the commission had 8% of budget remaining; Circuit Court Judge had 19%; District Judge had 19%; Circuit Clerk had 9%; District Attorney had 5%; Court Reported had 3%; Probate Judge had1%;Appraisal Office had 29%; Revenue Commission had 6%; Elections had -7%; Board of Registrars had 8%; Maintenance had 0%; Sheriff had 0%; Jail had 9%; EMA had 8%;Coroner had 41%; Youth Services had 0%; E911 had 0%; Library had 27%; and Board of Education had 0

  • County Commission re-organizes: Tennyson Smith selected as Chair; Roshanda Summerville selected as Vice Chair

    Shown L to R: Greene County Commissioners Lester Brown, Allen Turner, Jr., Roshanda Summerville, Tennyson Smith and Corey Cockrell.

     

    At the Greene County Commission’s annual organizational meeting, held Wednesday, Nov.14, 2018, Commissioner Tennyson Smith was selected as Chairperson and newly elected Commissioner Roshanda Summerville was selected as Vice Chairperson. Attorney Hank Sanders, who presided over the process, opened the floor for nominations for Chairperson. Commissioner Corey Cockrell nominated Commissioner Allen Turner, Jr. and Commissioner Lester Brown nominated Commissioner Tennyson Smith. Smith received three votes and Turner received 2 votes.

    For Vice Chair, Commissioner Turner nominated Commissioner Cockrell and Commissioner Brown nominated Commissioner Summerville. Summerville received four votes and Cockrell received one vote. Following each nomination and vote, Attorney Sanders asked for a motion and second on the selection of officers for the record. Brown moved and Summerville seconded that Smith serve as Chairperson. The vote was again three to two for Smith. Brown moved and Cockrell seconded that Summerville to serve as Vice Chairperson. The vote was four to one for Summerville. The commission approved the second Monday of each month at 6:00 pm as its regular meeting schedule. The Chairperson’s appointment of Commissioners to chair various committees was tabled. The body also agreed to maintain the same designation of bank depositories, with Chairperson Smith and Vice Chairperson Summerville serving as signatories for checks. Smith and CFO Paula Bird will remain as signatories for the safety deposit box. The standard Rules of Procedure were approved. In other business the commission received and approved the finance report and payment of claims as presented by CFO Bird. The following bank balances as of October 18, 2018 were noted: Citizen Trust Bank $2,048,536.88; Merchants & Farmers Bank $4,351,360.62; Bank of New York $358,896.59; Bond Investments $921,428.30. The meeting was adjoined and public comments were invited.