Commission approves ARPA fund agreements, more
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By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
Over the course of its last two monthly meetings, the County Commission approved multiple American Rescue Plan Act funding agreements and other matters during relatively short meetings.
At its June meeting, with District 4 Commissioner Ronnie Joiner absent, the commission unanimously approved two ARPA funding agreements pertaining to District 5.
Those funding agreements were for Weogufka Volunteer Fire Department and Marble Valley Volunteer Fire Department to each receive $5,000 in ARPA funds for equipment to be used at the respective fire department. The commission had previously approved the ARPA funds for those stated purposes, but had to approve the funding agreements for reimbursement to the departments as part of the funding process.
Also during its June meeting, the commission unanimously approved for Chair Bertha K. McElrath to sign an ARPA resolution for up to $25,000 for the county’s I-HOPE project. McElrath explained that this is an ongoing project with the County Extension Office and that the programs, which are typically held monthly, are open to the public.
The resolution states that the Extension “has submitted a request for funding in support of the county’s I-HOPE project to provide education, programming and resources to the community, including but not limited to, programming to enhance the health and well-being of the community through nutrition education.”
Also related to ARPA funding, during its July meeting, with all commissioners present, the commission unanimously approved two funding agreements for the towns of Goodwater and Rockford to each receive $5,000 in ARPA funds for a community marquee for each municipality.
Related to that action, the commission further unanimously approved for Chair McElrath to sign a resolution for $10,000 of ARPA funds to be allocated to the towns of Goodwater and Rockford with each receiving $5,000 for “a community marquee to be used for community engagement and messaging as a public service to citizens.”
The resolution reads, in part, “Whereas the Town of Goodwater and Town of Rockford currently operate publicly-owned community centers in which various community activities occur, including, but not limited to, educational programming through the Auburn Extension Office, meetings to support local veterans and Chamber of Commerce meetings; and, whereas, in order to ensure county citizens are provided with accurate information in the community, for example, upcoming election reminders, or meetings and services offered at the community centers, the Town of Goodwater and Town of Rockford wish to erect a marquee at the publicly-owned community centers…”
Also during its June meeting the commission heard from Sheriff Michael Howell regarding an updated agreement for the housing of municipal prisoners in the county jail. The updated agreement would increase the daily charge of housing inmates from $10 per day per inmate to $20 per day, with the increase being charged to each agency at the end of the month.
The update was noted to make no changes to the existing agreement other than the rate increase. Also per the updated agreement, the commission will receive $5 per day, and the Sheriff’s Office will receive $15 per day from the municipalities.
In addressing the commission, Sheriff Howell mentioned that with increasing prices it is getting harder for them to house and feed inmates, referring to the agreement that had the Sheriff’s Office receiving $5 per day for municipal inmates.
He stated that the County Jail has been housing Rockford’s inmates and said that Goodwater is in the process of trying to get the county to house its inmates, as well, and “trying to eliminate their jail.”
“My understanding is they’re already looking at getting rid of their jail,” Howell said, mentioning that it was expected to come up at that evening’s Goodwater Council meeting. “At that point we need something in place to benefit the county with housing their inmates.”
Howell said the updated agreement is still below the average of other counties who house municipal inmates.
During discussion and review, county attorney John K. Johnson also noted that the inmate housing agreement had not been updated since 2011.
Howell initially brought up the rate increase and updating the agreement at the commission’s April meeting, stating at that time that Goodwater Mayor Lonnie Caldwell was wanting the Sheriff’s Office to see about housing the town’s inmates at the county jail. At that time Howell said he was looking at increasing the fee and presenting a new agreement to both Goodwater and Rockford, which led to the review and discussion at the June meeting.
Following discussion and review last month, the commission unanimously approved the daily rate increase for housing municipal inmates at the county jail, which included two agreements to then go to the towns of Goodwater and Rockford for consideration.
In other business at its June meeting, the commission unanimously approved:
- The insolvents, errors, litigations, and unsold tax liens for 2023 in assessments, as is done annually.
- Observing the Independence Day holiday on July 4-5.
- Purchasing an automated CPR device for the county ambulance for $12,995.
- For McElrath to sign the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Proclamation, which is done annually.
- For McElrath to sign the annual Letter of Designation and Resolution for Section 5311 Transit Grant for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
- For Sheriff Howell to sign the LEADS Online Agreement.
During Tuesday’s commission meeting, the commission elected District 5 Commissioner Lamar Daugherty to once again serve as the county’s 2024-2025 Association of County Commissions of Alabama Legislative Committee nominee. The action was unanimously approved.
Les Sellers, EMA assistant, also spoke to the commission briefly about a recommendation to appoint County Administrator Amy Gilliland to the Lake Martin Area Industrial Development Authority, with Gilliland replacing Mary Bennett. After brief discussion the commission unanimously approved appointing Gilliland to that position.
In other business at Tuesday’s meeting, the commission:
- Unanimously approved for Chair McElrath to sign the Kroger Allocation Agreement for the opioid settlement.
- Unanimously approved for McElrath to sign the Subdivision Participation and Release Form for the opioid settlement.
- Heard from Sellers regarding the 2025 Division D Hazard Mitigation Plan, which is renewed every five years. No action was taken at the time, as Sellers discussed the matter to present information only.
Also during the meeting, McElrath asked commissioners to come up with a three to five year plan that they would like to add to the upcoming budget for discussion, regarding projects they would like to see completed.
She also welcomed Commissioner Ronnie Joiner back and stated how happy the commission was to see him, saying, “We’re so glad to see you. We’re really proud that you’re back.”
“I’m glad I’m still here, too,” Joiner said.
In old business the commission mentioned plans for the Extension building located next to the courthouse. McElrath suggested the commission hold a work session to discuss plans and moving forward with regards to that facility.
After discussion the commission agreed to meet for a work session at 8:30 a.m. Monday, July 29, to discuss plans for the old Extension building.
Also during Tuesday’s meeting, the commission heard from citizen Pete Rodgers regarding road concerns and potholes that need patching. The commission also heard from Marty Rittmann with Volunteer Connections reviewing information about the agency’s income tax return free program and asking the county to consider allotting the organization $2,000 when it reviews its budget for the upcoming year.
Rather than adjourn, Tuesday’s meeting was recessed until 8:30 a.m. July 29.
