Franklin County Commission handles monthly business

The Franklin County Commission met in its monthly work session July 12, followed by the voting meeting July 19.

The commission discussed and approved a number of topics relating to the county’s operation in the largely business-as-usual meeting Monday:

• Accepted the resignation of EMA temporary employee Ken Dobbs.
• Gave EMA Director Mary Hallman-Glass authority to bid out for 14 LUCAS devices and a trailer, through CDBG coronavirus grant funding. The devices, used for life-saving chest compressions, will be distributed among the county’s volunteer fire departments.
• Gave Hallman-Glass authority to secure a storage unit needed for the equipment.
• Approved resignations and new hires in the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.
• Discussed advertising and opening bids Aug. 18 for the County Road 40 project.
• Voted to have a public hearing regarding the vacating of Hollow Drive, Aug. 16 at 8 a.m.
• Approved county engineer David Palmer to purchase a boom cutter.
• Voted to present ALDOT with a resolution of appreciation for assistance in installing the Highway 187 caution lights.
• Voted to refinance the jail bonds. The action will consolidate multiple loans into one payment at a 1.99 percent fixed interest rate over 15 years, with the option to repay early.
• Removed the age limitation for retiree insurance reimbursement. The county will pay three years of insurance, up to $500 per month, for employees with at least 15 years of service. Previously this was offered for retirees from age 62-65; with this change, the three-year period can start at any time.
• Voted Commissioner Joseph Baldwin as Association of County Commissions of Alabama representative.
• Declared a step van and a Crown Victoria surplus property.
• Approved the hire of a temporary custodian/housekeeper/groundskeeper at the courthouse for the summer.
• Approved the solid waste department to advertise for a full-time, temporary employee.

The next commission work session will be held Aug. 9 at 5 p.m., with the voting meeting following Aug. 16 at 8:30 a.m. The commission meets in the Elizabeth Lucas Courthouse Annex in downtown Russellville.