By Marla Jones, Reporter • marla@southerntorch.com (Photo by Marla Jones)
DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. — The DeKalb County Commission met on Tuesday, December 11 for their last regularly scheduled meeting of 2018. It will be the Commission’s only meeting this month due to the Christmas holidays.
Michael Posey of the DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency updated the Commission on the missing teenager last week.
The EMA employed a helicopter and search dogs and used their ALERT DeKalb system in order to find the child.
ALERT DeKalb has also been a crucial tool for weather conditions this month. Posey reported that due to freezing fog and icy conditions, the system was able to alert of the 3-hour school delay on Tuesday morning.
Next Wednesday, December 19, there will be an open house at the newly-renovated DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency from 12pm to 2pm. Harcrow was proud to report that our EMA has capabilities that no one else in the state has.
The Commission congratulated the Fyffe Red Devils on their victory last week in the AHSAA Class 2A State Championship. The team will join the Commission sometime early next year for a special ceremony.
Lucas Blankenship of the Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments (TARCOG) reported on the High Falls Park Grant Resolution, that the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs offers once per year. The grant is an 80-20 split that must be applied for by December 21.
DeKalb County Road Superintendent Tom Broyles gave a maintenance update regarding the bad weather that occurred over the weekend. He also gave an update on the JW Wood Auction proposal. The firm will be offering DeKalb County $2,650,000 (minimum) for their surplus trucks. With a 6% auction fee, the county will receive $2,498,520.
DeKalb County Engineer Ben Luther asked the Commission to initiate the County Road 116 Federal Aid Project for fiscal year 2019. Luther proposed a widening and resurfacing project of approximately 3.9 miles on 116 from County 27 in Sylvania to its intersection with County Road 85. The Commission passed a resolution informing the State of the intent to apply for the project.
Cynthia Hancock of the DeKalb County Library asked the Commission to hire Charlotte Neysmith as circulation librarian, at 32 hours per week.
Jonathan Langley of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office presented the resignation of Brandon Dupree, Chris Rogers, and James Shavers from the DeKalb County Jail staff. Langley asked the Commission to replace the jail staff with Robert Chesnut and Matthew Daugherty. In dispatch, he announced the termination of Brian Whitmire Jr. as a full-time dispatcher. He will be replaced by part-time employee Daniel Willkie as a full-time dispatcher. Stephanie Summerford will take over Willkie’s part-time position.
DeKalb County Revenue Commissioner Tyler Wilks announced the position he posted at the last meeting be filled by Jaycee Palmer. He also announced the retirement of Rachel Davis, who has been a valuable employee for 25 years. Wilks asked to post Davis’ position so someone could be trained by the time she leaves in late-January.
County Administrator Matt Sharp shared the 2019 holiday calendar, which was approved.
DeKalb County Commission President Ricky Harcrow announced the opening of a fleet manager position to take care of maintenance, damage and repairs for the County’s fleet of vehicles, which will headed by Commissioners Chris Kuykendall and Shane Wooten. The job was posted on Tuesday and will run through December 28, 2018.
The next meeting of the DeKalb County Commission will be held at 10am on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 in the DeKalb County Activities Building.
