Commission approves CATS budget, board appointments

The Covington County Commission approved the fiscal year 2024-2025 budget for the Covington Area Transit System and also approved four board appointments at a regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, July 9.

CATS Director Tami Baxley announced during a public hearing it was time for the renewal of the 2024- 2025 fiscal year’s budget agreement with the state.

“The only thing I have been given was the amount spent up to this point this year with 3 percent added. That increase reflects a cost of living for next year. There is nothing else on the budget important because we have already conducted expenses related to vehicles,” Baxley said. “The budget is mostly to reflect operating expenses with the total increase set at $16,000 from last year. The state’s budget is approximately $352,175 in operational expenses and $167,200 for administrative purposes.”

The commission subsequently approved the budget as presented by Baxley.

The commission approved the appointment of Shannon Wiggins to serve on the Personnel Review Board. Wiggins’ term will expire on July 15, 2025.

The commission approved the appointment of Zollie Hudson to serve on the Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission Board. Hudson’s term will expire in February 2026.

The commission approved the appointment of Marvin Williford to serve on the E-911 Board. Williford’s term will expire on May 31, 2026.

The commission approved the appointment of Kyle Nolen to serve on the Covington County Recreation Board. Nolen’s term will expire on March 10, 2025.

The commission discussed a vacancy with the South Crenshaw County Water Authority Board. No action was taken at the meeting, and the commission will name an appointment for this position at a future meeting.

In other business:

• The commission recognized Sophie Donaldson of Opp High School and Kalli Grace Turman, an OHS alumna, for their involvement in a national cheerleading competition that was held this summer.
• The commission continued discussion of a per diem policy with county attorney Morgan Arrington. No action was taken at the meeting, and further discussions will be made at the next meeting.
• The commission approved the renewal of a contract with the Alabama Department of Human Resources. Baxley said there were no changes from previous years, and the maximum amount that would be offered was $11,000.
• The commission unanimously approved an agreement with the state for opioid settlement funds. The opioid settlement is an allocation agreement sent from attorneys representing the County Commission Association.
• The commission approved the solicitation of bids for various items in the County Engineer’s Department. These items include bridge components, steel piling, and labor for curb and gutter work.
• The commission re-discussed the sale of the former Dist. 1 shop in Opp and approved to rescind a motion that was made at the May 14 meeting.
• The commission discussed ongoing concerns with logging companies and road damages in the county. Future meetings could allow for potential public hearings to discuss this item further.

The next meeting of the Covington County Commission will be held Tuesday, July 23, at 9 a.m., at the Covington County Administration Building. The public is invited to attend.

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