Houston County Commission Meeting

Rickey Stokes

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Posted by: RStokes
thehoustonnewspaper@yahoo.com
334-790-1729
Date: Jul 26 2010 10:31 AM

HOUSTON COUNTY:   The Houston County Commission met today for the regular scheduled meeting.

Present for the meeting – Chairman Mark Culver, Commissioners Curtis Harvey, Bobby Snellgrove, Francis Cook and Phil Forrester, Also attending Commissioner Elect Jackie Battles and Doug Sinquefield.

Also present was Chad Tyson, candidate for Houston County Commission Chairman.

The meeting was opened by prayer led by Rev. David Temples of Westwood Presbyterian Church.

Chairman Culver commend the local team of Special Olympians that returned Saturday and their achievements. Chairman Culver said the gold medal and achievements they have made in their life is wonderful.

Chairman Culver also mentioned the Police Night Out which is to be held next Tuesday night, August 3 at Dothan Civic Center. The time will be 4 PM to 8 PM.

A 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. The project will begin in March or April according to Houston County Engineer Mark Pool. APPROVED

A request from the Industrial Development Board for  the City of Dothan for rough grading work for Pepi Food Service. This is the relocating of a business where the headquarters will be located in Houston County. An expected 100 employees will eventually be working at this business. APPROVED

A request to adopt Resolution to accept and designate issuers for Recovery Zone Bonds. Chairman Culver said Houston County was the first in the state to do this. This allows low interest bonds for development. Today’s actions will allow the Medical Clinic Board and other opportunities and jobs. This bond has been used for Cottonwood Corner’s Development. Chamber President Matt Parker said this is not a debt to the county and each development will stand on their own. With these projects it will produce some 800 to 1,000 jobs in the future. APPROVED

Chairman Culver said the bonds are out there to be used and it is good to be used for growth,

Request from Sheriff Andy Hughes to approve budget amendment for a new x-ray machine $ 9,000.00. This is no new money just moving money already in the budget. Sheriff Hughes says this will give an additional x-ray machine at the courthouse to speed up people getting into the courthouse. APPROVED

Request from Sheriff Andy Hughes to approve a budget amendment for vehicle repair using reimbursement check.  A $ 486.05 insurance check. APPROVED.

A request to approve Houston County Community Corrections Work Plan. The Chairman of the Community Corrections Board has been elected and it is Judge Benjamin Lewis. This plan is required by the State of Alabama. APROVED

A request to approve agreement with Alabama Department of Transportation for underwater bridge damage in the March 2009 flood. APPROVED

A request to approve budget amendment transferring money for Madrid Tire Clean up $ 30,009.00. APPROVED

The Solid Waste Authority quartley meeting. It is on solid footing financially.

Administrator Bill Dempsey told the commissioners that budget packages sent out to department heads, Dempsey said budget hearings set August 9 and 10.

Southeast Alabama Regional Planning has sent out request for additional positions, 15 additional people, in the senior programs. A standard 32 positions are approved each year. Nine additional positions were approved earlier this year. Total request 56 positions for a total of $ 45,000.00.

This allows people to work.  These senior aides are used for various work positions.

 The federal government notified them of the new positions and they will have to approved before the new budget year. Chairman Culver said the funds will not be spent until next budget year. Culver said there are a lot of demands for these slots and the people in the slots. Commissioner Harvey and Commissioner Cook made the motions for this item to be approved.

The senior positions are used in the community so the people can attain work skills and then move back into the community. They work by providing a service in the community, in the senior learns a skill and can go back into the work force. A lot of the seniors are poverty level. They work 19.75 hours per week at minimum wage.

Chairman Culver also said some of the areas of Houston County where these people could work and help out. Culver directed Administrator Bill Dempsey to explore this issue of the workers working for Houston County somewhere.

The commission approved the funding of these positions.

Engineer Mark Pool said the county road and bridge department is working on Fortner Street, Guy Branch road is under construction. Pool said several projects are on going.

Chairman Culver said there is confusion between Houston County’s project and Dothan’s project on Fortner Street. The county’s project, resurfacing, will be completed in a couple of weeks. Culver said the Dothan/State of Alabama project will be a long going project and Houston County has nothing to do with Dothan’s project.

Houston County Attorney Gary Sherrer has asked the commission to go into an Executive Session to discuss a pending legal matter.  The purpose is to discuss with legal counsel a pending legal matter. At 10:29 AM the commission went into Executive Session.

More to come.

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