Marengo County Commission moves voting locations, discusses bereavement leave
Personnel issues took center stage at the Marengo County Commission meeting Tuesday. Commissioners updated the personnel policy on bereavement leave and voted on life insurance coverage for both current and retired employees.
In the current personnel policy, employees are expected to take bereavement leave out of their sick or vacation times. Probate Judge Laurie Hall said other counties have separate bereavement leave policies when a member of an employee’s immediate family dies.
After a lengthy discussion, Commissioner Jason Windham moved to allow employees two days of paid bereavement leave. If any more is needed, it will be taken from sick or vacation days.
If an employee doesn’t have sufficient vacation or sick days, the county will loan him the leave until sufficient time is accumulated.
Commissioner Freddie Armstead added a bit of levity to the discussion when he said, “Let me tell you something. Black folks, you die and they lay them out and bury them the next week. White folks you die and they bury you tomorrow.”
The Commission unanimously voted to accept the first of three proposed life insurance policies provided by Minnesota Life Insurance, effective for three years.
The proposal would cost both current and retired employees $18.96 per year, with the county matching the amount. The 31 current county retirees would receive $4,500 in life insurance, and employees, $10,000.
Commissioners rejected the plan that each employee would pay $78.36 per year with the county’s cost greatly reduced or a third option based on age.
In other action, the Commission:
Approved a letter of support for West Alabama Public Transportation.
- Voted for a Hazard Mitigation Grant Resolution for Thomaston which is planning a community safe room.
- Approved a resolution changing the Back to School Sales Tax Holiday from August to July in conjunction with state action.
- Heard Judge Hall’s report on the changing of election dates for the U.S. Senate. The first primary will be Aug. 15, with a runoff Sept. 22, if needed. The general election will be Dec. 12.
After an executive session, commissioners voted to relocate the Taylor voting location to Thomaston, the Putnam site from the Old Store to the Putnam Baptist Church, the Nanafalia site from the Old School to the Nanafalia Baptist Church and the Aimwell site from the Aimwell Baptist Church to Sweet Water Town Hall.
The Commission also voted to allow Frazer Lanier to explore the option of refinancing the county’s current bond issue and look into a new bond issue to support Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital in Demopolis.