The Monday meeting of the Cherokee County Commission was a brief but productive one – with a number of items sailing through the approval process.

The commission members approved a job posting for a Highway Maintenance Technician – they additionally voted to approve the Safety Incentive Verification as requested by Cherokee County EMA Director Beverly Denial; doing so essentially satisfies a requirement set out by the liability insurance carrier for the county to gather together a County Safety Manuel to be provided to each employee – new and existing.

District IV Commissioner Carlton Teague – conducting that meeting, in the absence of Chairman Kirk Day – then put forth the list of special requests

All three items were approved unanimously.

The Extended Family for Kids Program which has already been instituted in a number of schools in Georgia, is a support system, for children whose parents are incarcerated; the Extended Family Program was founded in 2007 and for this particular initiative, they have been pre-approved for a grant in the amount of $21,000 provided they come up with matching funds of $9,000. 

Director Laure Clemons cited dramatic improvements seen in children enrolled in that program – with grade point averages rising while incidents of misbehavior dropped significantly.

Also on the agenda – was a request to have the County’s Legislative Delegation introduce a local bill establishing a “booking fee” at the Cherokee County Detention Center

Sheriff Jeff Shaver; that motion passed unanimously.

The Commission Members additionally adopted a resolution supporting passage by the Alabama Legislature of Senate Bill 12 – the Alabama Wind Energy Conversion Systems Act.

That act would impose tighter restrictions and guidelines on wind energy projects within the state – including regulation of location, design and installation of systems.

The next meeting of the Cherokee County Commission is scheduled for Monday, January 27th at 5:00pm in the County Administration Building in Centre.