Marla Jones, Managing Editor
marla@southerntorch.com
FORT PAYNE, Ala.-- (Full video on Southern Torch Facebook) The DeKalb County Commission held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, July 12.
In the absence of DeKalb County Commission President, Ricky Harcrow, who was out of town, President Pro-tem, Chris Kuykendall, conducted the meeting.
DeKalb County Engineer, Ben Luther updated the Commission on funds that were obtained by House Majority Leader, Rep. Nathaniel Ledbetter for road improvement in our area. $350,000 from the State Road and Bridge Fund, will be available for the improvement of roads in Ider, Valley Head, and the City of Henagar.
Luther also presented the award of Liquid Calcium Chloride Bid to Southeastern Road Treatment, with only a 10-to 12% increase from years past.
Two damage claims ranging from busted tire and rim to a busted windshield on CR 85 and CR 86 were submitted to the County insurance carrier.
Tom Broyles, Superintendent of the DeKalb County Road Department, updated the Commission on the status of CR 835, better known as the Old Highway 35. Due to several different reasons, the project was not finished as planned by the end of June. Broyles stated that was why he did not like to put out a timeframe for projects.
Broyles stated that when CR 835 work was completed, workers would move on to reclaim several roasts n District 1, and work on the clearing of the chert pit that needs to be completed in dry weather.
Broyles gave an update on the herbicide treatment on the county roads. Good results are being reported. The second application will be in late summer or late fall. A winter application is being looked into, as well.
District II Commissioner, Terry Harris asked about the cost of treating dirt roads in his district but Superintendent Broyles stated that the cost would not be economical for the County, due to the particular treatment that is required on dirt roads. There are approximately 350 miles of roads that are dirt or without some type of paving in the County.
The DeKalb County Sherrif’s Office had several resignations and hires in jail personnel:
- Resignation of Sgt. Brandon Vaughn
- Promoted Officer Dawson Bobo to the rank of Sgt. to fill a void left by Brandon Vaughn's resignation
- Hired Suzanne Woodall to fill the position left by Devin Harris resignation
- Hired Alan Lawson to fill void position left by Katilyn Waldrop resignation
- Hired Phyllis Norton to fill void position left by Lee Meadows resignation
- Accepted resignation of Officer Hunter Walker
- Accepted resignation of Officer Kristopher McCormick
- Moved Officer Justin Bailey to fill open Transport position
In Sherrif’s Office personnel, the following hires and transfers were approved by the Commission:
- Hired Sydney McKay as part-time dispatcher
- Transfered Richie Goldin from SRO to part-time investigations
- Move part-time investigator Andy Hairston to as needed
- Hired Danny Bryan as part-time SRO at Henagar to replace Richie Goldin
- Hired Kristy West as full-time SRO at Crossville
- Tranfered Tim Delvin to SRO at Ider
In other business, the Commission approved the travel and training request by the Sherrif’s office to send Wesley Greeson and Josh Hairston to a recertification class in Orlando, Florida.
The Commission announced a special work session on July 26, beginning at 10 a.m. to discuss the upgrade of Emergency Bids.
The Commission approved the hire of Daniel Dobbs for a transit position with the Council on Aging.
The next regular meeting of the DeKalb County Commission will be held on August 9, beginning at 10 a.m.
