The Walker County Commission approved on May 6 allowing Bevill State Community College to use the old airport for truck driver training.
Under an agreement reached, the county would have full use of the old airport in an emergency or if other needs arise.
“They will not interfere with county activities,” County Attorney Richard Fikes said. Chairman Steve Miller said trucks would not be loaded and county workers could be trained there for CDL driving in about three weeks.
Heavy equipment operators could also be certified. The agreement can be terminated on 30 days of notice. Signage will be posted if the facility is in use, to warn citizens who walk on the runway areas.
In other action at its May 6 meeting, the commission:
• held an executive session for the good name and character of a person.
• heard part-time accountant Randy Dodd recommend the county implement “just in time cash” to transfer large amounts of daily cash balances to a money market account to gain interest in 90-day U.S. Treasury bills. They currently pay 5 percent interest, he said, noting other counties are starting to follow the practice. The money can be transferred back within a day to avoid shortfalls.
• heard County Engineer Glenn Peek say that paving on Smith Chapel Road Bridge started but it may take another two weeks for work to be completed due to weather. Officials hope to open the bridge by the end of the month. Also, almost all of Empire Road has been paved and striping still has to be done.
• agreed to appoint Harold Hulsey to the Copeland Ferry/Pumpkin Center Board of Directors Water Authority and allow his term to extend to March 2025. He will replace Carol Warren.
• voted to appoint Sarah Webb to the Tri-County Agency for Intellectual Disabilities to replace Jonathan Mayhall.
• rejected bids to resurface some District 2 roads in the Oakman area as the prices were deemed too high. District 2 Commissioner Jeff Burrough said the county may open bids up again to get better prices.
• agreed to table bids contracts for crushed limestone (general use purpose stone) and slag and stone (paving stone) as they must be awarded to each district. District 1 Commissioner Keith Davis and District 4 Commissioner Steven Aderholt were absent and the commission to agreed to delay the votes for their benefit.
• voted to hire Colby Tubbs, Derrick Hubbard and Joseph Cox as a full-time driver/operator for Solid Waste effective May 8 and James Dockins as a part-time director for Solid Waste. He is returning after retirement.
• agreed to close the Solid Waste Department on Saturday, May 25, and Monday, May 27, for the Memorial Day weekend.
• decided to post for an accounts receivable clerk for the commission office and to hire Tammy Elliott as a temporary accounts receivable clerk for 120 days effective May 8. Miller said, “We need some help in this office. Miss Tammy is part-time and has agreed to go full-time.”
• approved a grant cost for the firm Simple Grants covering 45 to 60 hours between $7,425 to $9,900. This involves a $200,000 U.S. Department of Transportation grant awarded for studying bridges and roads to improve their safety.
• declared an emergency to take bids more quickly for a 74-ton chiller for the main Walker County Courthouse. Officials noted the air conditioner equipment was in disrepair at the main courthouse as temperatures were warming up. Four of six compressors were down, Miller said, adding, “It will only cool just a little bit. It is basically non-existent.”
• voted to hire Austin Gray as a temporary common laborer for 120 days in the Maintenance Department. The man once holding that position decided to go into military service.
• approved a resolution to approve one of two quotes to complete the county morgue’s interior work, which is being paid for with a grant. No formal bids were earlier received for work. Prestige Construction in Jasper had the low quote at $60,850.
• added to the agenda and approved making a request to the state Comptroller’s Office for covering a $4,400 spending deficit for feeding inmates. Sheriff Nick Smith said the feeding program has been under budget usually by several hundred dollars on a regular monthly basis. Bread that has been obtained from a Piggly Wiggly distribution center in Bessemer has saved about $2,000 a month due to a bread surplus for the company. However, the warehouse has changed vendors and now doesn’t have too much bread, plus inflation has affected overall prices. Under the state system, if the sheriff overspends on feeding, he can put in a request to the State Comptroller’s Office for reimbursement for the overspent amount. If the office is to the good, that surplus is sent to the same office so another sheriff who is short on funds can benefit.
