BY HANNAH GOLDFINGER
HGOLDFINGER@OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
LEE COUNTY —
The wanted and anticipated Loachapoka Community Park is one step closer to completion.
The Lee County Commission approved the results of the bids for the park — which opened on Aug. 24. — during Monday night’s meeting.
“We received two bids, one from Beasley Construction Services; the base bid for that one came back to be $143,000, even, the other from Hudmon Construction came back to be $618,308,” said Ryan Norris, parks manager. “With the low bid being, you know, about $118,000 over our budget, I did a little bit of research, got in touch with our recreation board and they do have a clause in their bylaws where they’re able to share their allocations amongst each other if everybody agrees on it, so we did a lot of communication Friday, over the weekend, all of the attending representatives did agree on that so they were able to kind of step in the gap and cover, with their allocated funds, the additional $118,308. So, my recommendation to you is to award the low bid contract of $618,308, knowing that we can pay for it.”
The commission approved the request from Norris. The approved vote was met with applause from the audience.
COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PLAN
The commission approved the Rebuild Alabama Act and the County Transportation Plan during Monday night’s meeting.
“This plan is part of the transparency and accountability requirements of the Rebuild Alabama Act passed in 2019,” the county’s agenda packet said.
The act requires that governments publish their transportation plan once a year.
“This plan outlines the projects Lee County plans to construct utilizing the additional revenue from the Rebuild Alabama Act 10 cent gasoline and diesel fuel tax increase, as well as the Federal Aid Exchange program funds,” the packet said. “… We have used the same prioritization process for our local funds in selecting roads for resurfacing while also following requirements of the Rebuild Alabama Act for expenditure of the Federal Aid Exchange Funds.”
The projects are outlined in the transportation plan, found here: http://www.leeco.us/government/county_commission/agenda.php.
OTHER BUSINESS:
– The commission heard a presentation from the Alabama Forestry Commission.
– The Lee County Sheriff’s Office recognized Capt. Chris Wallace and Civil Process Server Duane Blackwell for their service.
– The commission recognized Ward 2 Commissioner Ross Morris and Ward 3 Commissioner Tony Langley for their ALGTI Certificates, as well as Keywonnia Atkins for her ALGTI Certificate.
– The commission completed the first reading for three openings on the Lee County Department of Human Resources Board.
– The commission completed the first reading for three openings on the Lee County Youth Development Center Board.
– The commission approved the final subdivision plat for Zachary Howard S/D.
– The commission heard the second reading of two openings and approved two members for the Lee County Planning Commission D2 and D4.
– The commission discussed updating their communication methods by email and phone.
– The commission approved a tax abatement for Kraem USA Inc.
– The commission approved educational reimbursement requests for the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
– The commission heard an update on property that the county purchased for the Highway Department.