BY HANNAH GOLDFINGER
HGOLDFINGER@OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
LEE COUNTY —
The Lee County Commission discussed several items released to non-county maintained paved roads during its regular commission meeting Monday night.
County Engineer Justin Hardee gave an update on the non-county maintained paved roads in the area after citizens have made requests and asked questions about their own non-maintained roads.
“At a previous commission meeting, the Highway Department presented information about some non-county maintained,” Harder said. “These were paved paved roads in the different commission districts where public right of way did exist for the commission to consider — these particular subdivisions were constructed prior to our regulations going in in 2008 requiring certain requirements for how the roads should be built and what the developers need to do to do so to conform with them. And so, over the years, several of the residents in these subdivisions have called the highway department, they’ve called various commissioners, trying to get their roads maintained. In that we have not accepted them, the commission has not accepted them, we do not maintain them. Commissioner Long had brought up the concern and asking is it’s something we could look at.”
Hardee said essentially that current regulations wouldn’t allow for roads like this to be constructed.
Since that previous commission meeting the Highway Department has been evaluating the condition of the roadways to see how they would fit in with roads the county already maintains.
District 1 Commissioner Doug Cannon suggested all of the commissioners drive the roads to check out their conditions.
District 3 Commissioner Gary Long also requested to set a work session related to dirt road paving in the county as well so that the county could discuss it further.
ARPA FUNDS:
The county approved American Rescue Plan Act Funds related to three separate organizations Monday night.
Firstly, the county approved ARPA funds for the Lee County Youth Development Center. The commission approved an allocation of up to $100,000 “to provide mental health services in the community.”
“This money is going to be specifically allocated for family-based intervention services, for things like in-home crisis intervention, coaching, counseling, mediation types and support,” Leverette said.
Secondly, the commission approved American Rescue Plan Funds to the East Alabama HealthCare Authority for a mental health facility. This was a previously approved item that the hospital brought before the commission. A free-standing mental health facility will be constructed. The commission voted to allocate up to $4 million.
Finally, the commission voted to approve the allocation of up to $206,383 for the work on the Beauregard Park to construct a new access road, roundabout and safety fencing.
OTHER BUSINESS:
- The commission heard an update on the Loachapoka Broadband ARPA Project from County Administrator Holly Leverette
- The commission heard an update on the county’s free disposal days from Environmental Services Director John McDonald.
- The commission heard the first reading for the second opening on the Smiths Station Fire Protection District Board.
- The commission approved an ABC Application for Retail Beer & Table Wine License for Country Market 368 (D4).
- The commission approved the Lee Rd. 394 Right-of-Way vacation.
- The commission voted to extend the County Benefit to Appointed Board of Registrars.