County Commission has quick meeting

Marengo County Commissioners sped through their agenda today, unanimously approving several items and getting updates of ongoing programs.

John Bell, Solid Waste Director, gave one last push for commissioners to set up in each district an effort to take part in the statewide spring cleanup April 20-27.

A total of 1,800 trash bags are available for cleanup throughout the county, and Bell’s office will pick them up once they are filled

“We just need some back power,” he said. “If we could get those 1,800 bags filled, you’d see some difference” in the appearance of the county’s roadsides.

EMS Director Kevin McKinney introduced Cara Stallman. She is guiding the county through the process of applying for and securing grants for safe rooms and hazard mitigation planning.

To get the $600,000, FEMA requires the commission to pass several resolutions, which include placing ads for a project management consultant to handle the grants and to make sure certain governmental policies are in place.

The money will be used to construct five ADA community safe houses and provide a 50 percent match to homeowners who wish to build a shelter on their property. So far nine individual safe rooms have been installed, approval for two more was made at the meeting today, for a total of 16 approved in the county.

Sheriff Richard Bates still is trying to get new cars for his deputies to replace at least two of those with the most mileage.

“Right now we’re spending more on maintenance that a new car,” he said.

Commissioner Freddie Armstead at the March meeting said a grant was in the works for the county to receive 35 percent of the cost of two cars through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Authority. Commissioners heard today the grant, which is being prepared by the Tombigbee Regional Development Commission, is still pending.

Bates’ budget allows him to purchase one new car each year. Of the 11 now in his fleet, only two have under 100,000 miles.

When contacted after the meeting, TRDC director Frank Dobson said the grant money is “not a done deal by any means. The paperwork hasn’t even been submitted.”

Dobson said he believes the earliest any funding would be made available would be in the next fiscal year beginning October 1.

In other action, the commission unanimously voted to:

• Approve a computer system upgrade for the Revenue Commission office debated over the last two meetings, allowing for online payment and providing information to taxpayers.

• Donate a portable building to Aimwell Baptist Church which had been used as a voting site. The building no longer is used by the county, and the commission decided to give it to the church rather than moving it.

• Approve Ken Atkins, county engineer, and Meredith Hammond, secretary, to attend their respective conferences May 8-9.

• Give Atkins the go-ahead to send out bids on pickup trucks.