County Commission approves holiday bonus

The Marengo County Commission approved a one-time Christmas bonus of $150 for each full-time and part-time county employee Tuesday during its monthly meeting.

Robby James and his Marengo Academy champion football team were also honored during the meeting.

James coached the Linden-based team to the state 2013 1A championship. The commission recognized the team with a resolution recognizing their efforts.

After a lengthy discussion commission members approved the holiday schedule for 2014. The state holiday set for June 2, which in the past has been switched to Good Friday, is instead being used on Christmas Eve, giving county workers a five-day weekend.

Commissioners tabled action on hiring an auditing firm to prepare financial statements for 2012 and 2013. They instructed county administrator Meredith Hammond to check with accounting firms in Marengo County to see if they could do the job.

Hammond had recommended Aldridge Borden & Co. of Montgomery be retained for the work at a cost of $12,000.

“I would like to keep the money in the county,” said Freddie Armstrong. “Let’s spend our money with our people first.”

County residents whose only source of income is Social Security or SSI may sign up Jan. 2-31 for the exemption to paying for solid waste pickup.

Solid Waste officer John Bell said he will be in the office every working day during the month to accept applications for exemption.

In other action the commission approved:

• The Grand Jury Report

• Hammond to attend Administrator’s Class Jan. 8-9

• 2014 Severe Weather Preparedness Tax Holiday.