By Sherri Blevins
On January 10, 2023, the DeKalb County Commission held its first new year meeting. The Commission will resume its pre-COVID schedule of meeting twice a month starting now.
Road Superintendent Tom Broyles gave a short update on his department. He reported that workers are busy repairing potholes. Broyles said he was happy to report that no significant damage had been found on the roadways due to freezing temperatures, and he added all the previously approved road equipment had been ordered.
County Engineer Ben Luther made four requests. He asked that the Commission award the truck bid of
$60,000.00 to Donohoo Chevrolet. This bid will purchase a 2022 Chevy Silverado for the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department. The Commission approved the request. Next, he requested the Commission award the low bid of $353,100.00 to Chambers American Products for purchasing two Integrated Tool Carrier Boom Mowers. This request was also granted. Then Luther delivered the Rebuild Alabama Annual Report. He stated that at the beginning of 2022, the Rebuild Alabama fund balance was $8,859.82. Over the year, DeKalb County’s portion of the 10% gas tax collected in the Rebuild Alabama funds was $1,247,529.62. After completing the paving projects for 2022, a remaining balance of $231,832.16 was left unused and will be carried over to 2023. Some paving projects were put on hold, and the money allocated for those projects will be used in the upcoming year. The report was approved. Finally, Luther asked the Commission to approve a preliminary subdivision plat for a proposed subdivision in Kilpatrick to be known as Four Winds. The beginning phase of the plan will develop fourteen lots. Luther said the plan met the County’s specifications, and the Commission approved it.
DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden stated that his department would like to transfer part-time employee David Stanley to full-time and install him as the SRO at Crossville High School. There was no objection from the Commission. Officer Cagel requested permission to hire Nathan Plamer, Mitchell Smith, and Robert McCarther as jail officers. That request was also approved.
Revenue Commissioner Tyler Wilks asked to hire Gloria Agular as a tag clerk for the Revenue Department and post a job opening for an appraisal clerk. He additionally asked permission to amend the Eagleview Contract for aerial photography that is done every three years. Both requests were granted.
City Administrator Matt Sharp presented four ARPA Expenditure Resolutions which allowed the County to allocate funds to Crossville Water for a project on Hwy 68 in District 2, the Town of Section for a project at Antioch in District 4, the City of Fort Payne, for the Culpepper Road project in District 3, and Northeast Alabama Water for the County Road 89 Water Project in District 3. Sharp presented one more resolution,the Mack Truck Financing Resolution financing $2.9 million with Cadence Bank at 5.22 % interest for five years. All resolutions passed.
President Harcrow presented two proposals of his own that passed. First, Harcrow explained the 2023 Severe Weather Preparedness Tax Holiday Resolution that will make weather-related products tax-free during the holiday. Last, he asked the Commission to award the High Falls Walking Trail Project bid of $63,922.00 to K.W. Raines.
The Commission will meet again on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at 10:00 am in the Activities Building.