Commission approves voting machine contract, recognizes Tutt in Tuesday meeting
After questioning a contract for voting machine maintenance, Marengo County Commissioner Freddie Armstead moved to accept the proposal.
ES&S Hardware Maintenance has held the contract to service voting machines for Alabama, but the state no longer pays for the upkeep. Each county now must pick up the tab.
Armstead’s objection was the automatic renewal clause stating the contract was “subject to a possible increase” in costs. The two-year contract costs the county $9,236.50. When he learned the maximum increase would be five percent, or $400, Armstead moved to accept the contract, which was voted on unanimously.
Probate Judge Laurie Hall said the contract is based on maintenance of each of the 21 machines. If the county doesn’t use all of them for an election, the cost will decrease.
The Commission also approved an energy study of the county’s facilities by Schneider Electric Energy and Sustainability Services of Birmingham. The initial study would be at no cost to the county.
Company representative Keith Harris said the study would be the first step in a possible contract with the county for a Capital Recovery and Reinvestment Program. It would guarantee utility savings for 20 years, and those savings could be invested back into county facilities.
Webb Tutt, coach of the Marengo Academy football team, accepted a resolution from the Commission for his team winning the AISA 1-A state championship with an 11-1 record for the season.
Also approved were a $350,000 Community Block Development Grant to tie the Thomasville water system to the Linden system and the Professional Engineering and Grant Administration service to oversee the grant.
In other action, the Commission approved:
- The Grant Jury report
- Denial of a claim
- 13 holidays for 2017
- Renewal of a contract with the Dallas County Commission for long-term housing of Marengo County juvenile offenders.
A bid for sealing and restriping the courthouse parking lot for $24,500.