County approves Goodwater bridge repair, other funding matters
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By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
During its April meeting, with all members present the County Commission discussed and took action on various monetary matters; including utility and water charges at the E-911 building, ARPA funds for three volunteer fire departments and construction of a bridge in Goodwater; as well as other county matters.
In discussion, it was stated that the Goodwater Bridge from Armory Road to Wingfield Engineering is collapsing and beginning to fall in. District 1 County Commissioner John Forbus said he met with Goodwater Mayor Lonnie Caldwell along with County Engineer Tad Eason regarding the bridge and gave an estimate provided by the County Highway Department.
Caldwell told Forbus that Goodwater had the funds and will pay the county for completing the project to construct the bridge.
The total estimate for the project is $35,925.05, which includes labor and four aluminized pipes, two each measuring 78×40 and 78×35. County Engineer Eason said the estimate reflects the county’s price for materials and average pay for the employees.
He stated that the estimate does not include paving over the bridge and that it would be dirt instead. He further said the project would have to be completed in one day because they have to close the road in order to work on the bridge.
Commission Chair Bertha K. McElrath asked about a weight limit on the bridge, but Eason said that the existing pipes are old and corroded, which caused problems. He stated that a weight limit should not be necessary once the new pipes were installed.
After discussion, with all members present the commission unanimously approved the construction of Goodwater Bridge from Armory Road to Wingfield Engineering.
In other business, the commission unanimously approved and adopted two resolutions regarding the use of American Rescue Plan Act funds for three of the county’s volunteer fire departments.
Those included a resolution to use ARPA funds of $10,000 to be divided evenly between Weogufka VFD and Marble Valley VFD, presented by District 5 Commissioner Lamar Daugherty.
In part, the resolution reads, “Whereas, the county recognizes that the county’s volunteer fire departments play a substantial and important role in providing these needed emergency response and assistance services to the residents throughout the county; and whereas, the commission has determined that the support of these local volunteer fire departments is a necessary, eligible and reasonable use of these funds and fulfills a public purpose for a significant portion of the community. …now, therefore, be it resolved by the commission as follows: the county shall use ARPA funds designated as revenue replacement funds to cover up to $10,000, divided evenly among the Weogufka Volunteer Fire Department and Marble Valley Volunteer Fire Department, to support ongoing operational needs of these entities.”
The other adopted resolution pertains to Goodwater Volunteer Fire Department to receive ARPA funds to help with a new facility that will also be used as an additional polling location in the Goodwater area. Per the resolution, the county will donate at least $100,000 toward the $160,000 project.
In part, that resolution reads, “Whereas, the Goodwater Volunteer Fire Department is in need of a new facility in the Goodwater region area to better provide more immediate services to the citizenry; and whereas, the Goodwater area is also in need [of] an additional polling location in the Goodwater area to facilitate fair and equitable elections;…now, therefore, be it resolved by the commission as follows: the county shall use ARPA funds designated as revenue replacement funds to cover up to $100,000 to the Goodwater Volunteer Fire Department to purchase property and construct a new facility to support operational needs of the volunteer fire department and to be used as a polling location for the benefit of the county.”
Per a letter from Goodwater Fire Chief Elmore Unbehant to Commission Chair McElrath, the building will be constructed in the Mount Olive area at the intersection of County Road 49 and County Road 123 for use as a community center and as a satellite fire station for the Goodwater department.
“The building will be available for community events, as well as voting as needed, and during normal use will house a class A fire engine that will respond in the area to emergencies. This will greatly help residents in the area to take advantage of lower ISO ratings which will lower their homeowner’s insurance premiums,” Unbehant’s letter read.
Further he explained that the fire department has already secured ownership of the necessary property for the project and that once it is complete Goodwater VFD will maintain the grounds and building “in a state that is acceptable for the needs of all stakeholders.” The building will be approximately 40-feet by 60-feet and will be “of metal type construction.”
The project is anticipated to be completed and the building open by December 31. Goodwater VFD will maintain all necessary utilities and insurance policies during and after construction, per Unbehant’s letter.
Also regarding financial matters, Commissioner Daugherty proposed that the county consider paying one-half of the monthly utility and water charges at the E-911 Center since the county EMS/ambulance and EMA departments are both located in the building.
Daugherty explained that the E-911’s bill has increased considerably since the EMS department is now housed there 24/7. After brief discussion, the commission unanimously approved paying half of the utility and water charges at the E-911 building.
In other business, the commission dismissed into executive session for 20 minutes to discuss the good name and character of a county employee with EMS Director Hollie Osbourn.
After reconvening from the executive session, the commission unanimously approved adding to the agenda the termination of Brandon Jackson from the county EMS. Following that, the commission then unanimously approved the termination of Jackson’s employment with the county ambulance service.
In discussion, with no action taken, Sheriff Michael Howell mentioned to the commission that Mayor Caldwell is wanting the Sheriff’s Office to see about housing the town’s inmates at the county jail. Howell said it would be similar to the current agreement with the Town of Rockford.
However, Howell said the charge is currently only $10 per day per inmate, with county attorney John K. Johnson explaining that the $10 is divided up with $5 going to the county and only $5 going to the Sheriff’s Office.
Howell said that he is looking at increasing that fee and presenting the new agreement to both Goodwater and Rockford.
In other business, the commission unanimously approved:
- Jean Prince as the District 4 Department of Human Resources Board member.
- Opening a checking account for the EMS/ambulance department at First Community Bank of Central Alabama.
- Removing from inventory and surplusing an IBM 4247 printer.
- For Ben Whitley to continue the lawn maintenance agreement under the current terms that were originally approved for Kelley Johnson, with the agreement to expire September 30, 2025.
- For Sheriff Howell to sign up for Tango Tango to be utilized for the Sheriff’s Office communication, with Howell saying it will be for one year and that they wanted to try a new system.
The next regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Coosa County Commission will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 14.
