Commission adopts resolutions, discusses coroner’s office
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By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
Last week’s meeting of the County Commission saw many matters approved, as well as some discussion on various topics ranging from the statewide proposed amendment to the coroner’s office and more.
The commission reviewed a resolution relating to Amendment 1 that will be on the March 5 primary election ballot. Essentially, the resolution is to show the commission’s support of the amendment and to urge individuals to vote yes.
In part, the resolution reads, “Whereas, the Legislature regularly passes local laws and local constitutional amendments that impact the services provided to the county’s residents, as well as the mechanisms for funding these services; and whereas, some of these taxpayer-funded services include law enforcement, education, fire protection, ambulance services, the regulation of alcoholic beverages, and economic development; and… Whereas, Amendment 1 would allow local bills and local constitutional amendments to be considered by the Legislature without the adoption of a BIR [Budget Isolation Resolution], removing a procedural step from the legislative process; and whereas, the Association of County Commissions of Alabama has adopted a resolution encouraging Alabamians to vote yes to Amendment 1 on March 5. Now, therefore be it resolved by the Coosa County Commission that it encourages the citizens of the county to go to the polls on March 5, 2024, and make their voices heard on Amendment 1.”
After reviewing the resolution, the commission unanimously approved adopting the resolution in support of Amendment 1, with Commissioner Ronnie Joiner unable to attend the meeting.
Coroner Jack Brewer also attended last week’s commission meeting and presented the commission with information and legislation from the Alabama Coroner’s Association. He explained that the association wants to get the coroners’ offices in all 67 counties operating the same way and get all of them “on the same page.”
He added that nothing had been done at that time, but that he wanted to share the information to make the commission aware of what might be considered regarding the legislation.
Additionally, Brewer came before the commission to discuss vehicle repairs and other matters relating to the coroner’s office. He explained that in Coosa County the coroner uses his personal vehicle for responding to calls.
He stated that his vehicle now needs a new motor, with an estimated cost of $4,000 to repair. He asked the commission if it could help with the repair cost since the vehicle is used for coroner’s office work.
County attorney John K. Johnson asked if the county pays mileage, and Brewer stated yes, that the county pays 62 cents per mile.
In ongoing discussion, Brewer said that the Coosa County coroner’s office in 1979 was making $7.50 per case, and that in 2023 the office is still paid $7.50 per case. Brewer stated that most people have received a raise during that time.
He added that the salary for the coroner in Coosa County is approximately $10,000, stating that the office is probably the lowest paid county employee and that the coroner is on call 24/7.
In reviewing information, Brewer said that the responsibilities of the coroner have also increased during that time, including that the coroner now has to approve every cremation. He said the work has increased and stated that if he could get a pay raise it would be greatly appreciated.
In further discussion, it was mentioned that some counties provide their coroner with a vehicle, and that he was not sure what that would entail.
County Administrator Amy Gilliland also stated that it is “a long time” to go without a pay raise.
In finishing his request to the commission, Brewer said that it was “just food for thought” and that anything the commission could do “is greatly appreciated.”
Attorney Johnson said that the county can look into a pay increase and possibly purchasing equipment, as well as look into purchasing a vehicle for the coroner’s office or increasing the “per case” pay. He also clarified that if the commission votes to increase the salary then the salary increase would go into effect for the coroner’s office next term and that the commission would not specifically be giving Brewer a raise.
Johnson added that he would love to advise the commission to approve funds for the vehicle repairs, but that legally he did not think the county could do that since it would entail expending public funds for a private vehicle.
After discussion, with the matter on the agenda as an action item for approval, Chair Bertha K. McElrath called for a motion to approve funds for the repair of the coroner’s vehicle. The matter died for lack of a motion.
In other business, the commission briefly discussed the potential lease with the Board of Education for the Extension office to continue occupying the former Central High School office.
It was stated that the matter would be contingent on the Board of Education and its approval. However, it would be a year-to-year lease agreement, and rather than have an exact lease payment, it would continue as it has been with the commission paying a portion of the utilities at the facility.
After brief discussion, the commission unanimously approved adding the lease to its agenda as an action item for a motion.
The commission then proceeded to unanimously approve the proposed lease agreement for the Extension office at the former high school office, with the lease being from March 1 through February 28, 2025. The lease then went to the board for consideration and approval, with the matter being on the Board of Education’s agenda for yesterday’s meeting.
Also during the meeting, the commission heard from Mike Simmons, a representative with Verizon, who gave a presentation and demonstration on Verizon Connect, which last month the commission discussed for the potential of using GPS tracking and cameras on county-owned vehicles.
During the presentation, Simmons mentioned that Alexander City, Sylacauga, Elmore County, and others already have the Verizon Connect service and use its GPS capabilities for tracking their vehicles.
As he gave a demonstration and overview of the service and its features, he highlighted that it offers various reports, groups, geofencing, and live views with Google Maps. He showed how the service can track vehicles, various views it offers and used idle time as a demonstration for how it might help make the county aware of how it could save money by encouraging drivers to reduce their idle time.
He provided the commission with a quote for 49 vehicles, with total monthly recurring costs of $781.55 and total annual service costs of $9,378.60 to implement GPS tracking on all 49 county-owned vehicles.
Following Simmons’ presentation, County Engineer Tad Eason and Sheriff Michael Howell both voiced that they were happy with it and thought it would be good for the county.
Commissioner John Forbus, who initially proposed the idea, stated that it would be a good way to hold employees accountable and make them more mindful and aware.
He added that the commission would review the information and take it into consideration, saying that he would ask the commission to put it on next month’s agenda for action.
Also during the meeting, the commission heard from Tyler Gardner with Integrity Consulting regarding the possibility of promoting the tag referendum using a “text blast” as advertisement for a total cost of $1,178. However, during his brief presentation, Gardner mentioned that there was a $4,500 retainer fee in addition to the cost for the advertising.
The commission was unaware of the retainer fee because of some miscommunication or misinformation, and the matter died for lack of a motion when it was called for a vote.
In other business, the commission unanimously approved:
- Removing and declaring as surplus an 840 G3 HP Elitebook from the Sheriff’s Office inventory.
- For a Sheriff’s Office employee to receive FMLA.
- Opening a Community Development Block Grant street grant checking account per ADECA for payments and auditing purposes, with the grant requiring its own separate checking account.
- County levies on alcohol licensing for the county and for Chair McElrath to sign the County Alcohol Licensing form, with this done annually and having no changes from last year.
- For Chair McElrath and Administrator Gilliland to sign the Funding Agreement, using American Rescue Plan Act funds, for the Goodwater County Road 7 sewage equipment project.
- For McElrath to sign the resolution to use ARPA funds of up to $29,967 for the County Road 7 sewer project in Goodwater.
- For McElrath to sign a resolution using ARPA funds for the I-HOPE project that will provide education and resources to enhance the health and wellbeing of the community through nutrition education.
- For Sheriff Howell to purchase materials to build and sheetrock walls, insulation and drop ceiling materials to accommodate growth of the Sheriff’s Office using Capital Improvement funds, with the lowest cost proposal submitted by Randy Roberts for $16,675.
The next regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Coosa County Commission will be held at 9 a.m. March 12.
