BY HANNAH LESTER
HLESTER@OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
LEE COUNTY —
The Lee County Commission voted to approve items related to the county’s American Rescue Plan Act funding Monday night.
“So, the [Investing in Alabama Counties program] is in the process of vetting for the eligibility water projects that you all allocated the total amount for back on August 29 of ’22,” said county Administrator Holly Leverette. “And as you’ll recall, on Nov. 28, we approved the guidelines that IAC would follow and the process we would follow for granting these projects to the different water authorities.
“So we’re going to go back and do the same thing we did with Beulah when we did theirs on Nov. 28. We went ahead and approved some of those. We have got four for Beauregard Water Authority, and Loachapoka Water Authority has three identified eligible projects that we need to go ahead and approve tonight.”
Water projects are only one outlet for ARPA funding that the county was awarded. Others include broadband, ventilation and community organization projects.
The commission also set a work session in place for ARPA funding on April 24 for commissioners to discuss how to spend the money and ask questions.
OTHER BUSINESS
– The commission heard from EMA Director Rita Smith on Senate Bill 22, which could lead to money for the county.
– The commission heard the second reading and voted for a position on the Beauregard Water Authority Board.
– The commission heard a request from a citizen, Calvin Bellamy, to pave Lee Road 246. County Engineer Justin Hardee said the county does not currently have the funds to pave dirt roads.
– The commission agreed to enlist the county attorney for civil action against a company for missing purchased products.
– The commission approved educational reimbursement requests for the Lee County Sheriff’s Department.
– The commission voted to approve an agreement for subdivision enforcement in planning jurisdiction.
– The commission heard the final plat approval for the Tillery Subdivision.
– The commission heard the final plat approval for the Daniel Lakes Subdivision.
– The commission approved a speed limit reduction on Lee Road 257.
– The commission approved local resurfacing bid No. LCP 41-RALR-23.
– The commission approved maintenance bid #2023-09 for Class 3 Reinforced T&G Concrete Pipe.
– The commission voted to update the Agriculture Center Kitchen/Training Room to account for safety issues.
– The commission amended the Bulk Waste Collection Rules and Regulations.