The Covington County Commission named two board members and approved an initial term of three years for the administrator during the regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday, October. 24.
The commission has approved the appointment of Dwight Mikel to the Personnel Review Board to serve the position that expires on July 15th 2025. The candidates for the second opening to the panel will be debated at a subsequent meeting.
“I have a candidate I’d like to invite you to think about: Dwight Mikel. He was employed by parks and recreation for more than 38 years as an employee, administrator, and supervisor. I believe he has the necessary experience to look over the personnel (issues) and I’d like to put in his name.” Dist. 3 Commissioner Lynne Holmes said. “I want to endorse Lynne’s recommendation for Dwight Mikel after knowing him for many years,” Dist. 4 Commissioner Tommy McGaha added.
The commission has approved the appointment by Donald Barton to the South Alabama Regional Airport Authority board.
“Donald has been with us for many years. He is very interested with the activities at the vicinity of the airport, and is a regular participant in the airport’s meetings. I’ve had the chance to be a part of several meetings and the only time he misses is when health prohibits him from attending,” Chairman Greg White stated. “He is always energetic and active to be up to date with all that is happening in the airfield. I propose to re-appoint Donald,” Dist. 2. Commissioner Michael Smith added.
The commission was addressing the landowner’s request to establish the establishment of a family cemetery.
“I have been provided with additional information after the commission was notified of the original request. Moreover, there isn’t anything in relation to this request that the commission should do. This is not a matter of action since this is burial plots for families. The commission (the commission) have no other role,” County Attorney Morgan Arrington stated. “I believe it’s sensible for the family to record an account of the cemetery with my record department, so it’s public record. I’m not sure whether there’s anything that calls for that,” Probate Judge Stacy Brooks said.
In other businesses:
The commission ratified an agreement to grant funds to the Covington Area Transit System with the State of Alabama. The agreement stipulates that the initial $100,000 of CATS’s budget is 100% covered this will save $20,000 for the commission.
The commission has approved an overtime allowance with funding being provided from ADECA in the Sheriff’s Department. CCSO Chief Deputies Todd Grimes said the time that deputies most often work is between 3.30 p.m. till midnight. They must complete a form that outlines what hours they wish to work.
The commission has approved an invitation for bids to purchase three patrol vehicles within the Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Blake Turman said local and state bids failed however an out-of-state option has been made available.
The commission also discussed the purchase of $7500 of an all-new K-9 to be used for patrol. This dog would be an anti-narcotics dog but not as an attack dog. There was no action taken at the meeting and the issue will be further discussed at another meeting.
* The Commission pushed back discussion on training outside of state in the Sheriff’s Department to the next meeting.
The commission voted to approve the renewal of the contract with an additional term of three years to Karen Sowell as the county administrator. Sowell will get an identical 5 percent COLA pay increase as the other county employees during this year’s.
* A commission has approved an invitation to bid to purchase an old or new loader that is part of department of the County Engineer’s department.
* A commission has approved the declaration of a 2006 Ford F-250 truck with approximately 203,000 miles of surplus.
The Commission has endorsed that it would be paving Christy Lane along with the commission providing services in-kind for a plan to construct a 55 and over retirement residence in the region.
This is the next scheduled meeting for Covington County Commission Covington County Commission is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, November. 14 at 9 a.m. in Covington County Administration Building. Covington County Administration Building. Everyone is welcome to attend.
The story Commission nominates Mikel to be a member of the staff review boards appeared in The Andalusia Star-News.
