Commission honors POW/MIA; OKs $19M budget

Marengo County Commissioners began their meeting Tuesday by issuing a proclamation for POW/MIA Recognition Day Sept. 18.

Chairman Freddie Armstead, in presenting the proclamation to Dennis Spence, Post Surgeon for VFW Post 5377, thanked him and all other service men and women for their dedication.

The proclamation says the POW/MIA Recognition day “honors the commitments and sacrifices made by our nation’s prisoners of war and those who are still missing in action.”

After holding budget hearings during August, commissioners voted unanimously to accept the 2020-2021 budget. Expected revenue for the year is $19,854,394.42, and expenses, $17,381,830.93.

Probate Judge Laurie Hall told the Marengo County Commission that most everything is set for the state and federal election Nov. 3, including absentee balloting.

Voters may request absentee ballots by phone, email, on-line or in person. Hall expects the ballots to be delivered to her office by Sept. 14, and they will be mailed soon after to those who request one.

She also told the Commission that because of the pandemic and the expected number of absentee ballots, she may have to request limited hours for her office the day of the election.

Supplies are being ordered now to make sure voting in person is safe for poll workers and voters.

“We’re trying to do everything we can,” she said.

 Most of the rest of the meeting were bid openings. The lowest bids were accepted, subject to the review by county engineer Ken Atkins.

In the only other business, Andy Renner was appointed to the board of the county Demopolis of Human Resources.