County Commission approves two EMA proposals
In a routine meeting, members of the Marengo County Commission took care of pending business and got updates on ongoing projects in the county.
EMA director Kevin McKinney received unanimous approval for two proposals, tabled from the last meeting for further review.
Grant Management Consulting of Mobile won both bids, for community shelters in the county and for hazard mitigation rewrites.
The commission also approved three applications for individual storm shelters.
McKinney said the 911 office has been informed that it must remove its communications apparatus from the water tower in Demopolis by October. The Demopolis Water Board plans to tear down the tower.
The 911 office will be moving to the old library building in Linden as soon as the Marengo County Economic Development Authority transfers its offices to the old armory building. McKinney said bids for the new tower will be opened July 8, and it will take two months to build the new one.
Although time is tight to get the new office up and running after the EDA moves out, the commission was assured that it can be done.
Agriculture Extension agent Kathryn Friday, reporting for EDA director Brenda Tuck, said the meeting with Sen. Jeff Sessions went very well, although no firm offers of support were made. Tuck is working with three projects, all interested in the port facilities in Demopolis.
She also is working with Denali in Demopolis and with RT2, a pulp and paper project now using part of the New Era building in Demopolis.
Commissioner John Crawford complimented Tuck for getting a new sign at the entrance of Providence.
Friday also reminded the commissioners of Art Walk in Linden on Friday, June 28, from 5-8 p.m. The project is part of the Living Democracy program of Auburn University student intern Kaleb Kirkpatrick this summer.
The commission:
• Approved $177 for the purchase of a retractable rope to direct all those who enter the courthouse through the X-ray machine.
• Approved a budget revision.
• Confirmed a sales tax holiday for Marengo County for August 2-4.