Houston County Commission Admin Meeting Highlights

John S Keppy

Viewed: 1368

Posted by: JSKeppy
Date: Jul 22 2010 10:51 AM

Regular Agenda July 22, 2010

Clark Matthews encouraged people without air conditioning to get to a public building. Matthews said that EMA was prepared to open three churches. These will not be shelters, but will be air conditioned and water provided. Matthews said to call 615-HELP for assistance through 5:00pm. He added that people should first try to access public places, such as the library.

1.       Request from the City of Ashford for the county to assist in administering and implementing the State of Alabama Industrial Access Road Project for the Ashford Industrial Park.

Matt Parker with the Dothan/Houston County Area Chamber of Commerce addressed the commission. Parker said that with the help of Mark Pool, the county engineer, they were able to get $549,000 in funding. He said that the money will be used for materials and that the county would do the grading. Parker suggested that due to Pool’s many years of experience that he head up the project. Pool said that he was already been talking with state officials and it looked like the project would start around March or April.

Parker said that the immediate impact would be 65 new jobs and eventually around 90.

Placed on the agenda.

2.       Request from the Industrial Development Board of the City of Dothan for rough grading work for Pepi Food Service.

Culver said that it was a unique opportunity and would create a home office for Pepi. It would create around 100 new jobs, according to Culver. Parker said that the board adopted this project 2 weeks ago and that the state was helping with some tax credit. Parker said that Georgia wanted to get the project, too. The project would involve a $3 million investment and create 50 new jobs initially. Parker said that Pepi wanted to start work in August or September. Pool said that work would begin next Monday afternoon if the commission approves the project. The project will encompass eight acres.

Placed on the agenda.

3.       Request to adopt Resolution to accept and designate issuers for Recovery Zone Bonds.

Culver said that last year, Houston County was the first in the state to establish a Recovery Zone. It is designated to be able to assist both the public and private sectors and is administered through the Houston County Industrial Development Board. Many counties did not want any of the allocation, so Culver said that the state was approached to get additional allocations. The Medical School Project – Southern Bone and Joint extension - and the Northside Mall development projects were two that allocations are being sought for. If approved, this allows low interest bonds to be purchased. Parker said that additional allocations were given and the Houston County Industrial Board would administer it. Parker said that this was not additional debts for the county, but that the developers would be using their credit and this gives them the opportunity to have tax exempt bonds.

Parker said that this would seed 800 – 1,000 new jobs and $100 million in investments. The program is part of the federal stimulus project. Snellgrove said that what is being considered now was $42 million and wanted to assure that taxpayers would not be liable for the bonds. Parker replied that the responsibility was that of each individual project, borrowing on the strength of their credit.

Placed on the agenda.

4.          Request from Sheriff to approve budget amendment for new x-ray machine.

Sheriff Hughes said that the Sheriff’s Office share was $9000. He said that this would allow two lines to operate for courthouse security. The state will match the funds. The machines are not medical type machines, but are designed to screen pursed, cases, etc through courthouse security.

Placed on the agenda.

5.          Request from Sheriff to approve budget amendment for vehicle repair using reimbursement check.

The check is a pass-through of a check received from an insurance company when one of the Sheriff’s Office vehicles was rear-ended.

Placed on the agenda.

6.          Request to approve Houston County Community Corrections Work Plan.

Gary Knight said that this was a routine submission to keep the state up to date on the Community Corrections board and insurance for the program.

Placed on the agenda.

7.       Request to approve agreement with Alabama Department of Transportation for underwater bridge damage.  (March, 2009 Flood)

Pool said that this had been done before, but the state had not worded the paperwork properly, so it was being re-done. It does not represent any new money.

Placed on the agenda.

Request to approve budget amendment transferring money for Madrid Tire Cleanup.  ($30,009.00)

The money has already been received.

Placed on the agenda.

Pool gave an update on roads. Fortner Street is estimated to be completed in three works. Brannon Stand Road is completed except for side stripes. Guy Branch Road is under construction, and them work would start on Miller Street in Webb. There will be some paving work today on the Ardilla intersection.

Pictured top down:

Matt Parker
Mark Pool

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