BY HANNAH GOLDFINGER | FOR THE OBSERVER
LEE COUNTY — At last week’s commission meeting, Probate Judge Bill English told commissioners Lee County experienced one of its lowest turnouts percentage-wise this voting season.
“I know this is going to shock a lot of you because you saw big crowds, but we had the lowest turnout we’ve had in 20 years,” he said.
English reported 54.5% of registered voters turned out to cast ballots. This included 134,144 voters in total, which reflects rapid population growth in the area.
More than 73,000 people cast ballots on election day this year. In 2008, 63% of the population voted, but this was only a number of 54,000.
“It went as well as can be expected,” English said, noting that nothing out of the ordinary occurred.
Turning to business, the commission swore in three council members on Nov. 5, including the re-elected District 1 Commissioner Doug Cannon, newly-elected District 3 Commissioner Jeff Drury and re-elected District 5 Commissioner Richard LaGrand.
Other Business:
- The commission heard a report from the Emergency Management Agency Director Rita Smith on an ALEA grant award from the Department of Homeland Security for the EMA.
- The commission approved a contract with First Due for the Emergency Management Agency.
- The commission postponed a vote on a one time resolution for the Emergency Management Agency director.
- The commission established the regular meeting schedule for the Lee County Commission.
- The commission approved an ABC Retail Beer License application for Store 109.
- The commission approved an educational reimbursement request for the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
- The commission appointed District 5 Commissioner Richard LaGrand to the LRCOG Rural Planning Organization.
- The commission voted to approve the allocation of American Rescue Plan Funds and the allocation of a contract for a ventilation project for the courthouse.
- The commission approved an employee assistance program customer service agreement.
- The commission approved a final plat approval for Pecan Grove Subdivisions.
- The commission approved the Final Plat Approval for the Parcel 5 and 6 replat in the Deep South Subdivision.
- The commission approved the subdivision variance request for Lot 63 of Mallard Creek Subdivision.
- The commission approved the Information Systems Acceptable Use policy.
