County Commission will serve as pass-through for library grant; discusses coroner vacancy

Marengo County Commissioners Tuesday agreed to serve as a pass-through agency for Joyce Morgan and the Marengo County Library in order to speed up the purchase of new computers and kiosks.

Under the agreement, the library receives a $16,407 Library Technology and Automation Grant and will contribute the $4,102 in matching funds. Morgan asked the commission to advance the remaining $12,305 so that all the items can be purchased at the same time instead of in a piecemeal fashion. When the purchases are made, commission will be reimbursed with money from the grant.

The grant will pay for eight computers and head phones and a Crayola kiosk with 50 interactive games and separate computers for children.

County engineer Ken Atkins presented two resolutions which commissioners passed. The first, supported by the Alabama County Commission Association, is for a bond issue to repair or replace roads and bridges throughout the state.

Atkins said the bond issue will be for 15 years and will be paid for with a three-cent per gallon gas tax. He said the last time the state raised the gas tax was 25 years ago. The proposed tax would cost the average driver in Alabama $1.50 per month.

Called ATrip-2, the bond issue would mirror the first ATrip which was paid for with state funds.

Atkins said Marengo County would receive an estimated $10.8 million, of which 20 percent would go to municipalities. It would repair or replace some 135 miles of road.

The second resolution passed was required by the state to begin construction on Gandy Ferry Road. Atkins said it is hoped work can begin in April, but the project still must obtain rights-of-way.

After an executive session, the commissioners voted to request the Probate Judge to name someone to the coroner’s post until Gov. Robert Bentley can make an interim appointment.

Whomever the governor appoints will serve out the term left by Stuart Eatmon, who resigned effective Dec. 31 for health reasons. Anyone interested in the position should submit resumes and letters of interest to Charles Patrick Bond, Assistant Director of Appointments & Scheduling, at appointments@governor.alabama.gov.

In other action, the commission:

• Accepted the lone bid of $4,000 to replace the guard rails on County Road 21 (Rangeline Road).
• Voted to leave the User Fee CD at the First Bank of Linden at a rate of .90 percent.
• Announce the county will observe the Severe Weather Preparedness Tax Holiday once it is set by the state.
• Heard from Commissioner Freddie Armstead that the Alabama Historical Commission has named St. Luke Baptist Church on County Road 5 as a historical site.