Story By Donna Thornton

The DeKalb County Commission gave preliminary plat approval at this week’s meeting for Mentone Acres subdivision, located off County Road 641.

County Engineer Ben Luther said the planned subdivision includes 27 lots that will be larger than typical subdivision lots. The majority will be five acre lots and the largest will be 10 acres, he said. The project includes 4,000 feet of new road.

County Administrator Matt Sharp told commission members the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs will provide an additional $100,000 to complete a storm shelter project. He said the county received a $400,000 grant for shelters in Cartersville and in Kilpatrick. The Kilpatrick shelter is complete, he said, but there’s work that remains on the Cartersville one. The project has taken longer than expected and more money was needed to complete it. The commission approved a resolution accepting the money and a budget amendment.

Luther told commissioners there had been a request from a senior member of the sheriff’s office to post speed limits on County Road 121. The commission approved posting a 40-mph speed limit for the first one-mile stretch of the road, and a 

35 mph speed limit on the rest of the road.

The commission voted to:

Accept a bid from Wiregrass Construction for $409,531 to resurface County Road 483 from U.S. 11 to the Interstate 59 bridge.

Accepted an $18,275 bid from Scrap Dog to purchase old scrap metal (pipes, sign fronts, posts, etc.) that have been accumulating at the county shop for years.

Appointed commission president Ricky Harcrow to the ACCA Legislative Committee.

Transferred Logan Padgett from night shift deputy to certified transport.

Promoted Tim Cowart from part-time to full-time deputy to fill the slot.

Accepted resignations from corrections officers Taylor Pendergrass and Sam Moses.

Hired Jordan Gonzales and Kyle Gains.

Approved notification to the state of unpaid tax issues (insolvents, errors, litigation, and unsold tax liens).

Accepted the resignation of Lynn King from the Fort Payne Senior Center and hired Vickie Knight to replace her as manager.

Heard an update on the use of American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Approved participation in this year’s “Back-to-School “sales tax holiday July 18-20.

The commission’s next meeting will be Tuesday, July 8.

See full video of the meeting on the Southern Torch Facebook page.