Commission approves acreage contract; tables several items until December
Marengo County commissioners tabled -several items on their agenda Tuesday but conducted a busy session as the latest Leadership Marengo class looked on.
At the Commission’s August meeting, Andrew Williams with the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee asked for approval to set up a demonstration site in overgrown acreage behind the mechanical shop at the MCEDA and Extension office. The idea was to expand on some of the services provided to landowners in the county as it related to sheep and goat production.
Commissioners approved Calvin Martin’s motion to grant Williams a three-year contract for the five acres, with a 60-day termination clause.
Tabled until the December meeting was a decision on a contract to replace the air filters in all the county buildings. In the meantime, Chairman Jason Windham said he has asked Randy Story of Commercial Filters in Tuscaloosa to replace and inspect the filters monthly. He said Story would be able to use the filters on hand to save the county money.
Marlowe Spray Foam Insulation LLC had been awarded the contract to insulate the records room in the Probate Office but has yet to complete the work. Commissioners gave the firm until Thanksgiving to complete the job or would consider other companies at its meeting in December.
Probate Judge Laurie Hall said the room has no insulation and “the floor is like ice” during the winter months.
Commissioners found some discrepancies in the redistricting plan for the county. They tabled approval until December while the matter is settled.
With several applications for the job of Solid Waste Officer succeeding John Bell, the Commission decided to set up interviews with the candidates. Commissioner Freddie Armstead interviews are necessary “to put a face with the application.” Approval is set for the December meeting.
Revenue Commissioner Sharon Hilbish received the okay for a contract amendment with GovEase. The company conducts online auctions of surplus county property. The amended contract raises the company’s commission from $12 to $20 for each lot sold. Since the fee is subtracted from the sale, the agreement has no cost to the county.
In other action, Kathryn Friday was appointed to the Marengo County Public Library Board, and the Commission approved renewal of the Workers’ Compensation Self-Insurers Fund.
Judge Hall reviewed ongoing plans for relocating or upgrading polling sites prior to the next election.
EMA director Kevin McKinney brought the Commission up to date on two storm shelter projects – a grant from the Black Belt Community Foundation and FEMA funds awarded after Hurricane Zeta.
He said the FEMA funds will not be released until the sites for the storm shelters are determined. The sites must be approved by Feb. 4, 2022. The population of the areas involved will determine what the county can afford.
Commissioner Armstead said Demopolis needs two shelters, “but we’re not going to be selfish about it.”
EDA director Jo Ellen Martin told of the contacts made at the Southeastern Automotive Conference recently held in Birmingham, which generated “three solid leads.” The conference, she said, “definitely proved very productive.”
She said an existing company is planning an expansion of up to $2 million with another 50 jobs. Businesses are filling up the spaces at the incubator, and Taco Bell expects to hire some 30 employees when it opens.
She praised the Commission to the Leadership Marengo class. “You have no idea the impact these gentlemen have on our county.”