Marla Jones, Managing Editor
marla@southerntorch.com
FORT PAYNE, ALA-- The DeKalb County Commission held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, June 14.
Tom Broyles of the DeKalb County Road Department gave an update on the County roads.
According to Broyles, crews were making good progress on County Road 835 and that they “can see the light at the end of the tunnel." Broyles stated that he thought by the end of the month, the Road Department would be able to turn over to the paving and guardrail contractors for completion.
After turning over CR835, Broyles stated that crews would be working to reclaim numerous roads in the County.
Broyles also stated that this was the busiest time of the year for the road department with four crews working all on the paving lists. Broyles stated that all patchwork had been completed and crews were working towards paving.
The spray contractor is close to finishing up and will be working in the north half of the County this week. Work should be complete by next week. The contractor will do the second spray of County roads in late summer or early fall.
In Personal Changes, the Commission approved the following changes:
Road Department:
• Hired William King in District 1 Crew to replace Nick Harvey who transferred to the Shop.
• Hired Steven Guffey in District 3 Crew to replace Alan Hughes who resigned in May.
• Hired Blake Farmer in Unit Crew to replace Tracy Turner who left to work for ALDOT
• James Traylor retired from District 2 crew
Jail: (Corrections Officers)
• Hired John Swinford to replace Cole Jackson
• Hired Christy Glass to replace Zach Bell
• Hired Hunter Walker to replace Anthony Ciganek
• Cameron Maddox transferred from Dispatch to Corrections to replace Anne Reese
• Seth Cagle transferred from Investigator to Chief Corrections Officer to replace David Smith who went back to FPPD to be their new Code Enforcement Officer
Sheriff’s Office:
• Hired Troy Brown as a Deputy to replace Andy Brown who left to become the Chief of Police at Collinsville.
• Hired Austin Peppers as a Deputy to replace Michael Little who left to become Chief of Police at Ider.
• Hired Clay Monroe to replace Seth Cagle as Investigator.
• Promoted Brad Edmondson to Chief Deputy to replace Brad Gregg who left to become Chief of Police at Valley Head.
• Promoted Gary Brown to replace Brad Edmondson as Captain (over patrol).
• Transferred Jerry Fortner from Sergeant to Lieutenant to replace Gary Brown
• Transferred Kevin Woodall from Transport Deputy to Sergeant to replace Jerry Fortner
• Promoted Eric Tidmore from part-time to full-time DTF Officer to replace the vacant position left by Brad Gregg
• Hired Andy Hairston as part-time DTF Officer to replace Eric Tidmore.
• Transferred Paul Bell from SRO to Investigator to replace Wesley Greeson
• Transferred Wesley Greeson from Investigator to SRO to replace Paul Bell
• Promoted Laci McCarter from part-time to full-time Dispatcher to replace Cameron Mattox who transferred to the Jail.
Council of Aging:
• Hired Joann Carter to replace Brenda Pettry as Nutrition Manager at the Council on Aging.
In other business, the Commission approved:
• The 2022 Lump Sum Retiree Payment Resolution to County retirees (Alabama Legislation allows this randomly)
• Participating in 2022 Back to School Sales Tax Holiday
• 2022 Arrow Disposal Exemption List - 496 low-income families applied
• ABM-Energy Savings Project- allowing the lock-in of interest rates for 30-45 days to update electrical systems at the DeKalb County Courthouse.
The Commission welcomed back District 1 Commissioner Shane Wooten, who had been absent due to an extended illness. Wooten expressed that it was good to be back and thanked those who had sent cards and had called to check on him.
The next meeting of the DeKalb County Commission will be held on July 12, beginning at 10 a.m.
