By Fred Guarino
The Lowndes Signal

The Lowndes County Commission tabled action at its regular second Monday meeting to allow Barbara Evans, known for her work with the Lowndes Citizens United for Action (LCUFA) and a citizen of the Burkville Community, to develop a Solid Waste Management Plan for the county until an agreement can be drawn for a reasonable fee.

When County Commission Chairman Robert Harris raised the issue of a required solid waste plan from the county, due by late next year, County Commission Administrator Jackie Thomas pointed out that the plan is to be developed by Evans. However, she said, there had been no official action to authorize Evans to do the work.

Evans said she would work with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) and that a contract was not necessary because, “I’m not getting anything.”

Still, Harris wanted “clarity” on the matter.

After County Commissioner Carnell McAlpine moved that Evans be allowed to do the plan at no cost to the county with the county attorney drawing up an agreement, Thomas expressed concern.

Thomas said various companies had quoted prices from $9,000 on up to do the plan, which involves holding public hearings.

She said, “I just don’t think anyone should do that without some type of compensation.”

McAlpine said he also thought there was “nothing free” and amended his motion that Evans be allowed to do the plan for a reasonable fee with the attorney drawing an agreement for legality.

But in the end, the matter was tabled until Evans could submit a proposal and an agreement could be drawn by the county attorney.

It was reported that county employees will be off Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 24-26 for Christmas with the 26th being a vacation day.

The employees will also be off as a holiday on New Year’s Day only.

It was also reported the County Highway Department will be off the week of Dec. 24 through Jan. 2.
County Engineer David Butts said his department would take holidayd they were owned, plus the county holidays and would make up any remainder vacation days.

In his engineer’s report, Butts said the federal aid projects to resurface Lowndes County Roads 2 and 13 are waiting on the contractors to start work.

He said the project are set for 30 working days, but estimated that they could be completed in seven to 10 days.

While Butts said the project time began the 29th of November, he said the county has no authority as to when contractors get started and that wet or rain days and holidays are not counted against the project time.

Under the consent agenda, the commission approved:
•A liability insurance contact with Meadowbrook Insurance for county employees and elected officials.
•The November meeting minutes.
•A $2,250 appropriation to Edgewood Tutorial Plus Program.
•A $500 appropriation to Changing Communities Outreach Ministry.
•A $300 appropriation to the town of Mosses.

The commission left the Dec. 23 commission meeting date open in the event there is any serious concern for action. Thomas said she would the media know if he commission will not meet.