The Cherokee County Commission officially passed the annual budget for the Fiscal Year October 1st, 2016 – September 30th 2017. During the planning session held just prior to the meeting, County Administrator Tim Burgess presented a brief review of the budget with some a few addendums before commissioners unanimously moved to approve during the regular session.
Also in attendance during the planning session was Cedar Bluff resident Herb Sherwin who addressed the commission concerning an issue that has been ongoing for several years, the cutting of the trees on the causeway in Cedar Bluff.
Sherwin is requesting that the county send a letter to the Alabama Department of Transportation requesting a permit to do the work. The commission took no immediate action on the matter.
In other business, Commissioners approved the awarding of annual Highway Department bids for the period October 1st, 2016 – September 30th, 2017 as presented by the department.
At the recommendation of Chairman Kirk Day the commission also approved a change in polling place location for Spring Creek voter precinct number 17. The current polling place physical location is 1270 County Road 40 – the new location will be 6420 County Road 22.
This change is being done in the interest of traffic flow and public safety during in anticipation of a record number of voters in the upcoming general election. This move has been verified by the Secretary of State’s Election Division as a valid reason for making such change less than three months prior to the election.
The commission also adopted a resolution to consent participation in the electronic poll book project during the November 8th Statewide General Election and approved a contract with the Alabama Department of Youth Services Agency Grant Agreement which provides $193,000 in funding to be utilized for the Cherokee County S.T.A.R Program.
Chairman Day also announced that John Usry has tendered his resignation from the Cherokee County Library Board – appointment to fill the unexpired term ending Jan. of 2020 will take place at the November, 14 meeting.
The commission also approved commercial property insurance with the ACCA Liability Self-Insurance Fund Property Program for the term October 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016 in the amount of $16,036 and also approved an agreement for transportation services with the East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission for fiscal years 2017, 2018 & 2019.
Before closing the meeting Commissioner Marcie Foster read aloud a Proclamation from the commission declaring October, 2016 as Pro Bono Month.
The next meeting of the Cherokee County Commission is set for Tuesday, October 11 at 10:00 a.m.