By Marla Jones, Managing Editor • marla@southerntorch.com

DeKALB COUNTY, Ala. — At Tuesday’s meeting of the DeKalb County Commission, a $5.5 million bond resolution was signed for improvements to the DeKalb County Detention Centers and several county roads. For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, all members were present.

Due to the county having a great credit rating, the bond was presented at a 1.89% rate. This bond restructure will save $560,000 in interest payments.

DeKalb County Road Superintendent Tom Broyles gave a maintenance update regarding the County Road 835 (Old Highway 35) project. Broyles stated this project has not been abandoned, but grounds are still too wet to work on and it will be mid-to-late spring before work is able to begin again.

Broyles also said the county may not be able to spray again this year due to being short-staffed. District 3 Commissioner Chris Kuykendall requested that Broyles check prices regarding contract spraying within the county.

Sara James, Economic Development and Planning Director of the Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments (TARCOG), addressed the Commission regarding an application that had recently been submitted to make trail improvements and a kayak launch at High Falls Park. This application was for $100,000, which will be an 80/20 split with the Commission.

James went on to state that DeKalb County was eligible for a $500,000 Community Agreement Block Grant with no match for development in low to moderate income areas that are recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. These grants will be used for community-safe rooms and storm shelters.

DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden announced budget-positive moves within the system by dissolving the transport position to create a staff sergeant role to be filled by Lee Meadows. Welden also requested the promotion of Hannah Weathers to Executive Assistant. 

In other business, Welden requested:

• Moving Bo Waldrop from transport deputy to sergeant over transport
• Hiring Hunter Miller to replace Will Formby
• Moving Ken Thomas from a part-time security officer at the DeKalb County Courthouse to part-time security and maintenance at the newly-acquired shooting range

The next meeting of the DeKalb County Commission will be April 13 at 10 a.m.