Special Session
The Holmes
County Board of Commissioner met in Special Session on the above date with the
following members present: Commissioner Kenneth Williams, Commissioner Jim
King, Commissioner Phillip Music, and Commissioner Raymon Thomas, Chairman of
the Board.
Mr. Greg Wood,
Mr. Brandon Young,
Angie Jonas, Deputy Clerk, was present and
kept the minutes.
Chairman Thomas led the prayer and pledge.
Pursuant to public notice, the Board held a special session to award the CR 177A project bid. Mr. Daryl Burnett of Metric Engineering stated that his firm had reviewed the bids and that the recommendation of the firm was to award the bid to the low bidder, Anderson Columbia. Commissioner King made a motion to accept the low bidder, Anderson Columbia. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
The Board discussed a raise for Mr. Eddie Whitehurst, Project Manager. Administrator Wood stated that Mr. Whitehurst’s current rate of pay is $11.64 per hour and that he would like to raise it to at least $12.64 per hour. He stated that Mr. Whitehurst will be working on projects under the State Housing Initiative Program (SHIP) Program and that he would like to use forthcoming grant funds, if possible, to cover the pay rate increase. Commissioner Williams made a motion to give Mr. Whitehurst a raise of $1.00 per hour, effective when the SHIP grant funds become available. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. Commissioner King stated that he would like to wait to vote on this raise until Commissioner Merchant could be present to vote on it as well. Commissioner Williams withdrew his motion. Commissioner Music withdrew his second.
Administrator Wood stated that a study had been done on the Courthouse as part of the Courthouse Renovation project. He stated that asbestos had been found in several areas of the Courthouse. He stated that an abatement contract is being researched. No action was taken on this item.
Administrator Wood asked the Board to allow him to move $3000.00 from the Recreation Budget to the Inmate Equipment Fund to cover the cost of the needed equipment such as mowers and weed eaters. Commissioner Williams made a motion for the balance of the inmate equipment purchase to come from the Park Equipment Fund. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Administrator Wood disbursed a draft copy of his annual report for the Board to review. No action was taken on this item.
(Draft report)
Administrator Wood stated that the County is currently paying a fee to Public Risk Management (PRM) for a local insurance agent to be of service to the County. Chairman Thomas stated that the agent has not performed any services for the County to date and that the cost for the agent was $10,000.00-13,000.00 per year. Administrator Wood stated that the premium is paid through the end of June. Commissioner Williams made a motion to “drop” the local PRM agent. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Administrator Wood stated that Mrs. Wanda Stafford, Emergency Management Director, will be conducting an online Incident Command System training in June and asked the Board whether it would be allowable for the Road Department foremen to participate in the training also. He stated that there will also be courses coming up regarding debris management as well and that this training may also be helpful. No action was taken on this item.
Administrator Wood stated that the
Farmer’s Market will be opening Tuesday, June 3 from
Administrator Wood stated that Cathy Britton, Road Department Secretary had not indicated when she would be returning to work from her extended absence due to illness. Chairman Thomas stated that she should be contacting the County soon.
Administrator Wood stated that he will be absent next Wednesday as he will be undergoing a medical procedure.
The Board discussed repairs for a section of CR 162 located near the airport. Administrator Wood suggested doing a boring on the area to determine the roadbed type. Chairman Thomas asked that someone from the road crew use the backhoe to conduct the trial and asked that the findings be brought back to the next meeting. The Board agreed.
Commissioner King stated that Mr. Ashley Register, Recycling Department Technician, had emergency surgery and that he is doing well.
Chairman Thomas asked the Board
whether to pave another one half mile section of road in the
Chairman Thomas stated that he had not received any updated information regarding the sharing funds from the Legislature. He stated that if the funds come through, the grader bids can be revisited at that time.
Attorney Brandon Young exited the meeting as he had a School Board meeting to attend in Ponce de Leon.
Chairman Thomas reminded everyone of
the Agri-Business Conference taking place on Thursday at
Commissioner King asked for an update regarding the borings that will be conducted by Mr. Nigel Wells of F & W Construction on area bridges. Chairman Thomas stated that he is hoping to hear from Mr. Wells soon. He also stated that Mr. Wells had mailed a letter regarding the agreement for the borings.
(Letter)
Commissioner Williams stated that he had received a request from a visually impaired citizen asking for a hole behind her house to be filled in for safety reasons. He stated that it was more that twenty five feet off of the roadway and asked the Board to allow him to deliver dirt to fill the hole. Commissioner Williams made a motion to fill the hole. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Music made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
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Clerk Chairman