Marengo County Commission approves online payments for taxes, tag renewals

July 14, 2015July 14, 2015 Jan McDonald

Marengo County Commissioners Tuesday unanimously approved a contract with County Apps to provide on-line and kiosk payment of county taxes and vehicle tag renewals.

The approval came with the amendment that the service would be reviewed after one year instead of automatically renewing. That provision, said Probate Judge Laurie Hall, was an oversight and “should have been taken out” of the contract. Sharon Barkley, revenue commissioner, said she is preparing brochures now that will list the fees for paying on-line to go out with county tax statements in October.

Marcus Hannah with the Dallas County Juvenile Detention Center warned commissioners that the state budget now being determined in Montgomery may eliminate the provision for paying for housing juveniles. The state now gives the detention center $14,500 annually for two beds reserved for Marengo County youth. If the state no longer funds the beds, Marengo County is liable for the expense and maintenance and care of those juveniles.

Hannah said he is visiting all eight counties that now use the Dallas County facility to be aware of the possible changes before they set the budget for next year.

“We will still provide those same two beds at the same rate,” he told the Commission. If a third bed is needed, the county will be charged $60 per day.

Sen. Bobby Singleton and Rep. A.J. McCampbell were presented a resolution by the Marengo County Commission honoring their work to draft and pass a bill strengthening penalties for drag racing on public roads on Wednesday, July 14, 2015. From left, Michael Chambers, Calvin Martin, John Crawford, Singleton, McCampbell, Dan England, and Freddie Armstead. (PHOTO | Jan McDonald)

The Commission approved a waste disposal contract with Advanced Disposal in accordance with the Marengo County Solid Waste Management Plan. Bobby Douglas with Goodwyn Mills and Cawood said the “10-year, forward-looking plan” accounts for all the solid waste that is generated. It tracks where waste goes and looks at recycling in addition to other things.

The Commission took time to honor Sen. Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro) and Rep. A.J. McCampbell (D-Linden) for their work to draft and pass a bill strengthening the penalties for drag racing on public roads. Each was presented with a resolution recognizing their efforts. McCampbell said the problem initially was brought to their attention by the Alabama Association of County Commissions.

“This was an easy bill to grasp,” said Singleton. “However, I’ve been catching it in the streets from drag racers.”

A petition with 50 names on it opposing the closure of Dirt Pit Road was presented to the Commission by a resident of the Surginer community. In response to a motion by Calvin Martin, action on the road was tabled until he has a chance to study the petition. Martin said he didn’t realize the number of people who opposed the closure.

Economic Development Authority Director Brenda Tuck said a workshop is being set up for government officials and businesses to explain the new Jobs Act Incentives and Tax Abatements being set into place by the state. The act has been rewritten totally and will take study and time to implement, she said

When asked how the new rules will affect business recruitment in the county, Tuck said three businesses are in line with the possibility of expanding or moving into Marengo County. One of them definitely will be able to take advantage of the incentives if it locates here, she said, since it will bring in up to 125 jobs.

Named to the Board of Equalization were Kathryn Friday, Johnny Jones and John Bell.

In other action the Commission unanimously approved: