BY HANNAH GOLDFINGER
FOR THE OBSERVER
LEE COUNTY — The commission approved the appointment of a commission vice chair during Monday night’s Lee County Commission meeting.
District 1 Commissioner Doug Cannon will now be able to break ties during a meeting, should Probate Judge Jere Colley not be in attendance.
Broadband
Lakeisha Young Hicks approached the commission to ask the county to make sure that the work on the broadband expansion project is continuing in the county.
Hicks, as a citizen of Loachapoka, had come before the county in the past to express needs, desires, or remind the county of the importance of the project.
Through the American Rescue Plan Act funding, the county designated over $4.4 million to broadband coverage in Lee County. Although ARPA funds were designated following COVID-19, the commission was under no obligation to allocate or spend the money until the end of 2024.
Spectrum Internet is the company working on one portion of the project and Hicks expressed that the need is great in her area.
“We can go ahead and get this done, and get it started, but the main thing is make sure that they are giving you the reports,” she said.
District Five Commissoner Richard LaGrand asked County COO Blake Beck if it would be possible to get a broadband update at the next meeting, which was confirmed.
Other Business
– The commission heard the second reading of one opening for the Youth Development Center Board and one opening on the Lee County Recreation
Board.
– The commission approved a Letter of Support for Preferred Home Health.
– The commission approved an ABC Special Events License for Haulin Toasts for the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
– The commission approved an ABC Special Events License for Premium Pours for the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
– The commission approved the deputy chief appraiser’s job description.
– The commission approved the Employee Recognition and Appreciation Program policies.
– The commission approved the assistant county engineer I job description.
– The commission approved the annual paving bid results.
– The commission approved a contract in the amount fo $49,700 with Turf Tank for Lee County Recreation Parks. It breaks down as follows:
• Year 1: $17,700.00 (includes implementation and start-up fees)
Beauregard and Beulah Recreation Allocation: $4,425.00 each ($8,850.00 total) Parks Budget: $6,637.50
Grounds Budget: $2,212.50
• Year 2: $16,000.00
Beauregard and Beulah Recreation Allocation: $4,000.00 each ($8,000.00 total) Parks Budget: 6,000.00
Grounds Budget: $2,000.00
• Year 3: $16,000.00
Beauregard and Beulah Recreation Allocation: $4,000.00 each ($8,000.00 total) Parks Budget: 6,000.00
Grounds Budget: $2,000.00
Contract Total: $49,700.00
– The commission voted to add an item to the agenda, which was approved. Judge Mike Fellows approached the commission to ask for involvement in the renovation project regarding the county courtrooms and expressed that those in the building know best what needs to be reworked or done differently. This item required no official action from the commission.
