Citizens have been complaining for over a year about not being able to hear commissioner’s comments regarding agenda items at the bi-weekly meetings.
At the regular meeting on April 1, commissioners voted unanimously to accept the bid from BFE Technologies to install a sound system including a cassette recorder unit in the annex meeting room. Bids were received from BFE Technologies of Eastman for $2,295.00 and from Trinity Technical Solutions, Inc. of Eastman for $2,543.24.
Commissioners approve sound system purchase
Commissioner Jr. Howell made the motion to accept the low bid from BFE Technologies, Inc., which was seconded by Terry Niblett. The motion passed unanimously.
According to Billy Edenfield, owner of BFE Technologies, the sound system will be installed by the next regular meeting.
Interim county manager Bobby Peacock updated commissioner on the status of the new jail stating that a meeting had been held on March 29. According to Peacock, construction repairs will begin on May 8 and should take a couple of weeks to complete.
At the March 18 meeting, Lee Kirkland, representing the rural fire departments, requested the board approve the purchase of new digital radios and the necessary equipment for the departments to be able to communicate with the sheriff’s department, E-911 and Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
Sealed bids for the equipment from RCE of Macon and Radio Wholesale of Columbus. Commissioners accepted the bid from RCE of Macon for $58,985.00. A bid from Radio Wholesale was considered incomplete due their bid sheet containing the words TBD (to be determined) for labor installation.
Kirkland explained that the rural fire departments had applied for a $150,000.00 grant in October 2012.
Commissioner Karen Cheek commented that if money were received from the grant, a reimbursement to the county would be made for the purchase of the equipment. Other commissioners agreed with Cheek. Kirkland informed commissioners that he would notify them about the grant once he heard something.
Bids were opened for installation of a septic tank at the landfill for the purpose of housing a bathroom. Bids were received from Hardeman Construction of Eastman for $1,450.00, Derrell Yawn of Yawn Farm’s for $1,700.00 and Steve Grimes Construction of Eastman for $2,700.00.
Howell made the motion to accept the low bid from Hardeman Construction, which was seconded by Niblett. The motion passed unanimously.
Currently, employees at the landfill are using a Port-a-Potty, which is costing the county $85.00 per month.
Niblett reported to the board that the board was continuing to gather information about the recycling project discussed at the May 18 meeting. He stated that the school system would be participating in the project. Niblett added that the board had not approved this as a project, but that additional information was being gathered for future discussions.
Cheek questioned county attorney John Harrington about the process for renewing the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). Attorney Harrington explained that commissioners needed to determine if they wanted to go forward and that an affirmative vote would be needed. He added that they needed to contact individuals within their corporate limits (towns and government entities they would provide funds to) and come up with an agreement of percentages of funds that could be placed on a ballot.
Harrington went on to explain that commissioners could not just ask for a SPLOST, that they needed to have a project in mind and general roads and revenues was acceptable. He added that SPLOST was for capital improvements.
Commissioners signed a proclamation proclaiming April 26 through March 2, 2013 as Bible Reading Marathon Week.
During public participation, Billy Steele complimented the commissioners for signing the Bible Reading Marathon Week proclamation. He added that Russia had been teaching Bible for the last two years in their schools and how we cannot have a prayer at a school function.
Lee Kirkland thanked the commissioners for their continued support to the rural fire departments.
Jr. Bellflower asked if any board member had heard anything from our representative (Jimmy Pruett) about the letter that was sent to introduce legislation for going back to a single (sole) commissioner. Attorney Harrington stated that he had not heard anything from the letter he had sent to Rep. Pruett.
Susan Coffee thanked the commissioner for approving the sound system.
Eddie Driggers requested a copy of the minutes that were approved for the special called meeting on March 27. Commissioner McCranie stated that Driggers could leave an address and they would be mailed to him.
Ina Mallory stated that commented that Mr. Steele made touched her and as a former teacher, she grew up with prayer in the school. She stated that we are a small county but she intends on getting with an attorney to get things stirred up to get prayer back into the schools.
Representing The Dodge County News, I asked for an update on the redistricting, which no action has been taken and a balance in the contingency fund. Peacock stated that he would get the balance to me.
The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 15, 2013 at 6:00 p.m.
According to Billy Edenfield, owner of BFE Technologies, the sound system will be installed by the next regular meeting.
Interim county manager Bobby Peacock updated commissioner on the status of the new jail stating that a meeting had been held on March 29. According to Peacock, construction repairs will begin on May 8 and should take a couple of weeks to complete.
At the March 18 meeting, Lee Kirkland, representing the rural fire departments, requested the board approve the purchase of new digital radios and the necessary equipment for the departments to be able to communicate with the sheriff’s department, E-911 and Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
Sealed bids for the equipment from RCE of Macon and Radio Wholesale of Columbus. Commissioners accepted the bid from RCE of Macon for $58,985.00. A bid from Radio Wholesale was considered incomplete due their bid sheet containing the words TBD (to be determined) for labor installation.
Kirkland explained that the rural fire departments had applied for a $150,000.00 grant in October 2012.
Commissioner Karen Cheek commented that if money were received from the grant, a reimbursement to the county would be made for the purchase of the equipment. Other commissioners agreed with Cheek. Kirkland informed commissioners that he would notify them about the grant once he heard something.
Bids were opened for installation of a septic tank at the landfill for the purpose of housing a bathroom. Bids were received from Hardeman Construction of Eastman for $1,450.00, Derrell Yawn of Yawn Farm’s for $1,700.00 and Steve Grimes Construction of Eastman for $2,700.00.
Howell made the motion to accept the low bid from Hardeman Construction, which was seconded by Niblett. The motion passed unanimously.
Currently, employees at the landfill are using a Port-a-Potty, which is costing the county $85.00 per month.
Niblett reported to the board that the board was continuing to gather information about the recycling project discussed at the May 18 meeting. He stated that the school system would be participating in the project. Niblett added that the board had not approved this as a project, but that additional information was being gathered for future discussions.
Cheek questioned county attorney John Harrington about the process for renewing the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). Attorney Harrington explained that commissioners needed to determine if they wanted to go forward and that an affirmative vote would be needed. He added that they needed to contact individuals within their corporate limits (towns and government entities they would provide funds to) and come up with an agreement of percentages of funds that could be placed on a ballot.
Harrington went on to explain that commissioners could not just ask for a SPLOST, that they needed to have a project in mind and general roads and revenues was acceptable. He added that SPLOST was for capital improvements.
Commissioners signed a proclamation proclaiming April 26 through March 2, 2013 as Bible Reading Marathon Week.
During public participation, Billy Steele complimented the commissioners for signing the Bible Reading Marathon Week proclamation. He added that Russia had been teaching Bible for the last two years in their schools and how we cannot have a prayer at a school function.
Lee Kirkland thanked the commissioners for their continued support to the rural fire departments.
Jr. Bellflower asked if any board member had heard anything from our representative (Jimmy Pruett) about the letter that was sent to introduce legislation for going back to a single (sole) commissioner. Attorney Harrington stated that he had not heard anything from the letter he had sent to Rep. Pruett.
Susan Coffee thanked the commissioner for approving the sound system.
Eddie Driggers requested a copy of the minutes that were approved for the special called meeting on March 27. Commissioner McCranie stated that Driggers could leave an address and they would be mailed to him.
Ina Mallory stated that commented that Mr. Steele made touched her and as a former teacher, she grew up with prayer in the school. She stated that we are a small county but she intends on getting with an attorney to get things stirred up to get prayer back into the schools.
Representing The Dodge County News, I asked for an update on the redistricting, which no action has been taken and a balance in the contingency fund. Peacock stated that he would get the balance to me.
The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 15, 2013 at 6:00 p.m.
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