Houston County Commission Administrative Meeting - Discussed Project Industrial Development Board

Rickey Stokes - Matt Boster

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Date: Jul 18 2019 11:11 AM

HOUSTON COUNTY:     The Houston County Commission met this morning for the Administrative Meeting. Chairman Mark Culver and Commissioners Curtis Harvey, Doug Sinquefield, Ricky Herring and Brandon Shoupe were in attendance.

The meeting started at 10 AM.

Recognition of church for ADOPT A MILE from Bay Springs Baptist Church to Highway 84 West. This will be done Monday. Request of Commissioner Brandon Shoupe.

Commissioner Sinquefield said a group is doing Adopt A Mile from Ebeneezer Road to County Road 33.

APPOINTMENT TO CITY OF DOTHAN – HOUSTON COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS DISTRICT BOARD

Request to fill appointment to the City of Dothan – Houston County Communications District Board and recognize the one who has served and appoint Jennifer Stanley as new member to the Board.

WIREGRASS FOOD BANK WORK

Request Wiregrass Area Food Bank to spray around the fence and property line.

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD FOR HOUSTON AND HENRY COUNTY

Request from Industrial Improvement Authority for Houston and Henry County. Matt Parker of the Dothan Area Chamber Of Commerce and Industrial Development Board for Houston and Henry County updated on the Abbeville project. This is the huge building on Highway 431 and Highway 27 in Abbeville that has been vacant for several years. The Board along with the Henry County Commission have been working with a industry to start business there. A major obstacle was a Fiber project the business did not have and the area did not have sufficient to run the operation. The project was started a year ago. They had to rebuild 9800 linear feet of railroad and other infrastructure needs for the plant. These projects created and required State and Federal assistance, which always comes with strict guidelines. The main line railroad was a large partnership to get the improvements made and the railroad stepped up to the plate big time.

The Industrial Development Board for Houston County was recently increased to include Henry County to make it the Industrial Development Board for Houston and Henry County. Dothan CPA David Parson serves as President of the Industrial Development Board.

This project will potentially be a large employer of 100 jobs and close to a $ 40 million dollar project.  A significant project with the infrastructure needs. Chairman David Parsons is asking the Houston County Commission for $ 50,000.00  investment into this project.

Chairman Culver said we have worked a lot of projects. Culver said we really focus on regional projects. This project is really one that is a regional project because a lot of communities have stepped up to focus.  This has been a tough project to bring to completion. Congratulations to Judge Money on their work.

A $ 150,000.00 combined with Dothan, Chamber and Houston County.

Commissioner Shoupe said this is a great project and great to be involved.

The project will be a saw mill where they will cut timber into wood. This project is owned by Jimmy Rane of Abbeville who owns Great Southern. They will have their own saw mill.

CLICK FOR DOTHANFIRST ARTICLE SHOWING PLANT

Commissioner Sinquefield thanked Matt Parker and all entities involved. The railroad is substantial in what they have invested and International Beam in Dothan is tied to this through the railroad. The 9,800 linear feet of railroad had to be redone while the other parts of the railroad are in good shape.

Chairman Culver said this is the first project in the Houston – Henry County Industrial Development project.

FINANCE GARBAGE TRUCKS

Request to enter into finance agreement with Regions Bank for three garbage trucks. This are already budgeted and part of the replacement project. A request for bid went out with a request for financing and Regions was the best rate.

RECLASSIFICATION OF CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

Request from Houston County Personnel Board for funding for reclassification of Chief Administrative Officer. Houston County Personnel Director Sherri Thompson told the commission when they look at a job reclassification we look at all jobs. This is a position is outside the classified employee position. Thompson said she took the existing job description and looked at five other counties, sent to the person who does our job studies and made sure she agreed with my classification. The Personnel Board approves the description and the County Commission has to fund. A person can not work outside their classification and that results in the job being re-classified. Chairman Culver said talking about $ 1,200 for the rest of the year. Chairman Culver said in the budget hearings we talked about doing it and based on the actions of the Personnel Board we have to do it now. It is $ 6,200.00 for the year increase in the current compensation. Peter Covert serves as Houston County Chief Administrative Officer.

REPLACE HVAC

Request to improve emergency replacement funds for the HVAC units. The West Main Storage buildings. These are old HVAC units. Chairman Culver said not huge units. Shaun Curtis said 2 ton roof top units.

REQUEST MORE MONEY TO FEED THE PRISONERS

Request budget amendment for inmate meals. Houston County Sheriff Major Bill Rafferty said they have been looking at 76.4 per meal. The bid was 89.9 cents per meal. Dempsey figured 250 to 300 inmaes and now 350 to 400. Shortfall of $ 120,000.00 in feeding of inmates because of cost and the number of inmates. A figure that Major Rafferty and Chief Administrator Covert analyzed.

Covert looked over the past 3 years of inmates and the trends over the the last three years. Based on that trend and increase in price is what the increase is.

Chairman Culver asked how the budget is going so far. Major Rafferty said they are holding their own. The state inmates are moved as fast as possible. The court system is working with the jail as much as possible.

NOTE:    I want to  make the feeding of the inmates very clear in Houston County. There has been publicity where Sheriff’s are responsible personally for the feeding of the inmates and if a profit is made the Sheriff personally profits but if there is a loss the Sheriff is responsible personally for paying that. This is not the situation in Houston County. I even confirmed with Alan Clark, former Houston County Sheriff A.B. Clark’s son was his dad responsible for the feeding of the inmates.  And to his knowledge he was never responsible. It has always been the Houston County Commission. And I know for a fact that today and over the last two decades it has been the Houston County Commission and not the Sheriff.

So Sheriff Valenza is not personally financially responsible for feeding of the inmates. He is not personally responsible if there is a loss and does not personally profit if money is made.

Former Houston County Sheriff Lamar Glover executed an agreement during his administration that Houston County would contract with Houston County Community Corrections and Dothan City Jail for the feeding of the inmates in those facilities. This is three meals a day, seven days a week. Again that money went into Houston County General Fund and the Sheriff was not responsible personally for a loss and did not personally profit if money was made.

REQUEST TO ADD INSURANCE MONEY TO SHERIFF DEPARTMENT BUDGET

Request budget amendment for insurance reimbursement. Major Rafferty said a vehicle pulled in front of the Sheriff vehicle. Progressive gave money and 6,579.90 put in maintenance line item because they are in a shortfall. Three guys have taken a lot of expense on themselves so they do have to outsource to Solomon or someone like that. This money will help off set any expenses.

HARLEY DAVIDSON LEASE

Request to enter into a lease agreement with Holland Motor Sports and the lease will be paid by Sheriff Department funds. Harley Davidson has been great to work with the Sheriff Department. This a promotional agreement. They want to put Harley Davidson will be a lease of $ 1.00 per month per bike plus insurance. The Sheriff Department will pay $ 861.00 insurance and will come from Sheriff funds. The motorcycles will be used for special event projects, parades, and events. They will not be used for patrol of executing duties. No cost to the Houston County Commission. A separate lease on each vehicle.

The cost is $ 36.00 per year plus $ 861.00 a year insurance for all three motorcycles.

Total Cost is $ 897.00 for this fiscal year.

Commissioner Shoupe asked what is the benefit for the county. Major Rafferty said a good public relations for the Sheriff Department. Like the National Police Night out and marketing the Sheriff Department on events. Not used on patrol.

Commissioner Sinquefield asked how equipped and signs on it. Major Rafferty said Houston County Sheriff decals and marking of the department. The motorcycle must be in good condition when returned after three years and motorcycle can be purchased at the end of three years. Major Rafferty said if there is not an extension on the lease.

Commissioner Herring asked would it be used for Honor Guard events. Major Rafferty said yes. Commissioner said like when “ we” go to schools. Major Rafferty said for special events.

 

 

SELL OF ITEMS ON GOV.DEALS

Request to sell four vehicles from Sheriff Department on gov deals. A motorcycle, BMW, Buick, and a 1033 soft top Hummer.

PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR.

Mr. George Trotter spoke to the commission. Trotter speaks each meeting. A invitation for public forum for August 22 from 6 to 8 PM at the library appreciate each of you RSVP by date. Appreciate your consideration of being at the forum. Chairman Culver said that is the night of the State Conference and Henry County Probate Judge David Money will be sworn in at the State Conference and he is committed to being there. Trotter said if the commissioners would give a date on Monday they can reschedule the public forum.

ADJOURNED

No more business the meeting adjourned.

TIME

Time 10:40 AM.

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