A 24 Minutes Houston County Commission Meeting

Rickey Stokes

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Posted by: RStokes
Date: Dec 12 2016 11:43 AM

HOUSTON COUNTY:   The Houston County Commission did not meet for an Administrative Meeting last Thursday. They met this morning for regular commission meeting.

The members of the Houston County Commission do not want anything or someone addresses them on in the "official" minutes of a Commission Meeting. That is why the public is allowed to speak to the Commission on Thursday's Administrative Meetings and not on Monday regular meetings.

The Thursday meetings there are no "official" minutes or record of what the public addresses the commission about.

Since no Administrative Meeting last Thursday, Commissioner Culver asked if anyone had anything to address the commission on. When no one spoke up, Culver then "called the meeting to order".

By Culver handling it this way, had anyone addressed the commission it would not have been in the "official minutes" of the meeting.

CALL TO ORDER   

After the meeting was called to order the invocation was held by Rev. Jim Tate of Memphis Baptist Church.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance the Commissioners announce items to the public. There was no mention to the public by the Commission of their vote last week of a $ 1.2 billion dollar tax increase while at the Alabama Association of County Commissioner Meeting in Montgomery.

Did hear Commissioner Sinquefield ( on Alabama Association of County Commissioner's Legislative Committee who spear headed tax increase ) chatting with Commissioner Jackie Battles ( who ran on no new taxes ) say they were no votes in opposition at the Association meeting. But that was chatter before the meeting started.

In the official meeting the Commission never mentioned the $ 1.2 BILLION tax increase plan.

Commissioner Culver and fellow Commissioners presented a plaque to Dothan - Houston County Emergency Management Director Steve Carlisle. On December 29 Carlisle will officially retire from Houston County as EMA Director.

Houston County and Henry County have been working on a joint water project. Under Alabama law each county has to have representatives on the respective water boards. Just prior to the commission meeting Commissioner Battles asked Commissioner Culver "what is this". Battles did not know about the agreement, even though it has been discussed for several years.

The process is a long process. What the Commission approved today was "a step" of several steps to be made to extend water lines in the northern part of Houston County and southern part of Henry County, crossing county lines. There are multiple more steps to be made, such as legislation to be passed and grants to submitted.

The Houston County Commission approved $ 2,500.00 for the Wiregrass WORKS Career Experience in 2017. Commissioner Shoupe and Commissioner Sinquefield spoke of this project where 8th graders are taught trade issues for workforce development. This issue was explained to Commissioner Battles because he was not aware of the project or what it was about.

The Commission approved the financial report to be published. Houston County Administrator Bill Dempsey told the commission this report required all pass through funds and was not a total accurate picture of the finances of Houston County.

In a motion made by Houston County Commissioner Jackie Battles, and second by Houston County Commissoner Brandon Shoupe, the commission unanimously approved Chris Judah as the new Dothan - Houston County Emergency Management Director. Commissioner Culver said that Judah was local, that he had recommendations from the Sheriff and police who knew and worked with him.

There was no mention of salary. However seconds before the commission meeting started Houston County Personnel Director Sherri Thompson ran to Commissioner Culver and said the figure of $ 53,500.00. We are assuming that is the figure the commission will pay the new Dothan - Houston County Emergency Management Director. But nothing in the documentation given to the media and nothing in the verbal motion approved mentioned the salary. Judah was not present at the commission meeting.

Commissioner Culver adjourned the meeting, then withdrew the adjournment to add a item to the agenda. The item added was the approval of selling items on govdeals.com. That item was approved.

A 24 minute meeting from beginning to end. A Houston County Commissioner makes a salary of $ 33,000.00 per year, health insurance, $ 200 a month vehicle allowance, and in 10 years vested in the Alabama Retirement Systems of Alabama. That means they can draw a retirement for life. Commissioners Sinquefield and Battles will need one more term after this term to be set for life to draw a retirement as a County Commissioner.

A 24 minutes meeting, Chairman Culver makes almost $ 80,000.00 a year. He is already vested and could retire now. Next term of office he will not get a car but $ 6,000.00 per year car allowance. Culver has already figured how to get this car allowance into salary in order to boost his retirement earning. But that is, if he gets re-elected next term of office.

Being a County Commissioner is a good gig. Most especially for when you work 24 minutes a month and earn more than a Deputy Sheriff who places their lives on the line in order to protect and save others.

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