Bates, Armstead disagree on courtroom security
Marengo County Commissioner Freddie Armstead and Sheriff Richard Bates voiced their differences of opinion at the Commission meeting Tuesday over the interpretation of a letter Armstead sent to the Sheriff six years ago.
The letter stated the Commission would take charge of Courthouse security, not the Sheriff’s Department, and that $12,000 would be transferred from Bates’ account to pay for Linden and Demopolis police officers to man the entrance.
Bates interpreted the letter to mean the security of the entire building would be under the Commission’s control. Armstead, however, said the main Courtroom remained the Sheriff’s Department responsibility as stated in Alabama law.
Bates argued that he does not have enough personnel to handle Courtroom security as well as the other functions of his office. He added that he is consulting with the state Sheriffs’ Association and the Attorney General for an opinion in the matter.
Bates, in a second matter, took issue with how his department has been accused of neglecting or mishandling persons with mental health issues. As is the case throughout the state, housing for mental health patients in crisis is not always available, especially when juveniles are involved.
“We are doing stuff to help,” he said, “and I’ve got the documentation to prove it.”
He said because the jail has no nurse on staff it cannot house the patients. Deputies aren’t always free to transport those in crisis, even when rooms can be found for them in facilities that can treat them.
The Marengo County Jail is not allowed to house juveniles. When a 14-year-old threatened suicide and no facility could be found that would take him, Bates said he put a mattress on the floor of his office for the child and spent the night with him until a place could be found.
When the Commission got down to business, members approved using West Alabama Public Transportation to provide transportation services for the county. It also passed a resolution for the county to serve as a pass-through agency for funds to erect lighting at the three entrances to WestRock on U.S. Hwy. 80 W. Funding comes through the state gas tax.
A proposal by Probate Judge Laurie Hall in May to replace obsolete voting machines for the disabled won approval from the Commission. New machines cost $85,000, she told the Commission last month, but the Secretary of State is providing money for new machines in a discounted deal. Marengo County will be required to send to the state the remainder of money in its election account, which Hall said is $1,350.
Revenue Commissioner Sharon Hilbish told commissioners in her annual Insolvents and Litigation Reports that the county has no unpaid taxes. She joked, “Nothing goes uncollected.”
After an Executive Session, commissioners voted to enter into an agreement with Moore-Wright Group to help provide storm shelters in the county.
It also approved a consulting contract with former County Administrator Meredith Hammond to work with her successor, Shannon Parten, to make sure all documentation is completed for an audit.
The Commission voted to send a letter of support for the Rural Business and Training Center, a business incubator now in the planning stages in Demopolis.