Commission approves vote on tax hike
By a unanimous vote, the Marengo County Commission Tuesday approved holding a special election in December on a 4 mill ad valorem tax to benefit Whitfield Regional Hospital.
No discussion was held on the motion by Jason Windham after the Commission returned from an executive session. The only comments were that the Commission would talk with the hospital about helping with some of the expenses of the election.
Progress on the Children’s Advocacy Center is “way ahead of schedule,” District Judge Vince Deas told the Commission.
Deas gave a rundown on how the $12,500 granted by the Commission has been spent preparing the Demopolis office and then asked for $5,000 more to train two forensic interviewers.
Deas said he hopes the center will be open in January to provide support for children who are believed to be at risk from abuse or neglect.
Environmental, Inc. of Odenville was the lowest of three bidders at $59,860 to demolish two buildings and removed two gas tanks from property across from the Courthouse. The property will be used to provide more parking for people having business in the Courthouse.
Commissioners passed a resolution for the Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. The county serves as a pass-through agency for the $200,000 in grant funds.
The 17th Judicial Circuit, which includes Marengo County, is not a partner in the drug task force at this time, but the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency has asked county administrator Meredith Hammond to continue handling the finances for the group.
Probate Judge Laurie Hall reviewed the new procedures for getting married in Alabama, which goes into effect August 29. She said the new process is easier for all concerned.
Couples need to fill out a state-provided form, sign it before a notary and return it and the filing fee to the Probate Office within 30 days. A formal ceremony no longer will be required.
Sheriff Richard Bates asked the Commission to consider taking over the cost of feeding prisoners in the County Jail.
Bates must is allowed $2.25 per prisoner per day for food, but the state sometimes can take several months to reimburse his office.
Hammond said she wanted to check with the auditor before the Commission considers Bates’ request.
County Engineer Ken Atkins said the county will get roughly $800,000 when the first part of the new state gas tax goes into effect. A quarter of that will be used to complete projects currently under way, and the rest will be distributed among the five districts.
In other business the Commission reappointed Commissioner Calvin Martin to the Association of County Commissions in Alabama and three members of the Board of Equalization, subject to their agreeing to serve. The three are Kathryn Friday, Joe Patterson and Wayne Lewis.
The Commission will hold a budget hearing Thursday, August 15, at 4:30 p.m.