Armstead Jr. takes Commission seat; Hilbish explains property tax hikes

Marengo County commissioners started off the July meeting by the swearing in of a familiar name.

Freddie Armstead Jr. took the oath of office for the vacant District 1 Commission seat held by his father until the senior Armstead’s unexpected death in February. District Judge Vince Deas administered the oath as Armstead placed his hand on a Bible held by his wife.

Once the Commission began its session, it heard from Charles Freeman, a resident of John Barnes Road, asking to begin right-of-way proceedings to deed the road to the county.

The private dirt road is almost impossible to maneuver, said Freeman. He told commissioners he would be willing to go to each of the 14 landowners along the way to get their signatures so the road could be deeded to and maintained by the county.

After deliberation during the executive session, the Commission voted to open the process to make the road public.

Revenue Commissioner Sharon Hilbish clarified the letters from the Board of Equalization that were mailed to all county property owners last week. She said her office has been inundated with phone calls about the hike in taxes, but she stressed her office doesn’t set the index that determines the taxes.

That index comes from the state and can change from year to year. Her office is responsible for the appraised value of the land and buildings. Each year the appraiser covers one-fourth of the property held in the county so that the entire county is covered every four years.

Hilbish encouraged those with questions about the letters they received to contact her office at 334-295-2214. She or one of the clerks will explain the figures and make sure all exemptions allowed the property owner are in place.

The Commission approved an amendment to the county’s credit card policy but wanted to make sure the account was secure and used only by authorized personnel. The change was required because all Commercial Drivers’ License holders were required to have access and to allow the maintenance shop to purchase a new motor from a vendor that only accepted credit cards.

The state ABC board has set mandated fees for liquor licenses, including new categories. The Commission gave local approval for the mandate and accepted the recommended license fees suggested by County Clerk Shannon Parton.

In other action, the Commission tabled a resolution to authorize the purchase of an AED defibrillator for the jail and approved the Grand Jury Report.

After the executive session, the Commission voted for a resolution for the expenditure of American Rescue Plan Act funds for the road department.