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County approves $15.9 million 2007 budget
Chip Harrigan and Buddy Bedwell, two of Clarke County's three board members for the Twin Rivers Economic Development Partnership addressed the Clarke County Commission during Tuesday's meeting. Harrigan reported that Funding Solutions, a fundraising firm hired by the organization, had talked to business leaders in Clarke County in order to gage local support. According to Harrigan, most of those surveyed spoke in favor of the regional organization. "We feel we'll have a great deal of financial support from the business community," he said. Harrigan explained that the organization planned to take a regional approach to economic development, partnering with existing organizations, to bring more opportunities to Clarke and Choctaw Counties. A request was made that the Clarke County Commission give $2 per county resident to the partnership, approximately $54,000. No action was taken during the meeting, but Commissioner Rhondel Rhone stated he thought the commission should meet with municipalities in the county and be able to give an answer at the next commission meeting.
Budget
Commissioners approved the budget for the 2006-2007 fiscal year. Total estimated income and expenditures for the year came to $15,994,014.94, about $900,000 higher than last year's. Expenditures are $6,552,787 for the general fund; $90,000 for industrial development; $3,907,620.97 for the gas tax fund; $817,700 for the road and bridge department; $133,154 for public highways; $236,128 for the water fund; $912,000 for resurface, restoration and rehabilitation of roads; $297,000 for secondary roads; $498,366 for appraisal; $487,304 for E-911; $296,386.97 for courthouse renovation; $548,820 jail bond; $528,820 gas tax debit service; $205,428 for general obligation on courthouse addition; $482,842 for obligation on LP project. County employees were given a three percent across the board pay raise and some adjustments were made to the general fund, gas tax fund and E-911.
Road and bridge
County Engineer Sam Noble reported that the bridge replacement project on County Road 2 over Sizemore Creek would began Tuesday. The boat ramp at Gainestown Landing was closed Tuesday in order for the Corps of Engineers to begin making repairs. It is expected the landing will be closed about two weeks. Leveling and patching on County Roads 21 and 17 have been completed. Crews will continue working on the erosion control project on Evergreen Road next week. The second round of bush hogging in the county will be completed next week.
EMA report EMA Director Roy Waite told commissioners he was waiting on a letter of approval from Homeland Security before taking the next step to implement the emergency notification system from Code Red. After the state EMA was informed that Clarke County did not want to be placed into a different region, Waite was told that once other regional directors were brought in and the matter is discussed, they felt, "Clarke County will be happy." Funding has been secured for two tornado sirens to be placed in the county, one in Jackson and the other in Thomasville, because of their populations. Homeland Security will pay 75 percent of the cost, that state will pay 12.5 percent and the municipalities will be responsible for the other 12.5 percent. Waite had checked into a GPS service for Alzheimer's patients, called Project Lifesaver, and was told it might be possible to have the program in Clarke County, through the Mobile County Sheriff's Department.
Other business Derek Gates asked commissioners to reapply for funds to pave the Manila Road. Commissioner Rhone responded that request had been made at the federal and state levels for the funds, but they would ask again. The awarding of the bid for an elevated water tank in Zimco was tabled until the next meeting.
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