Commission makes board appointment, hires road employees, discuss highway funds

Published 11:12 am Tuesday, April 8, 2014

The Marengo County Commission appointed two members to the Rehab Board during Tuesday’s meeting.

The commission named the chairman and vice-chairman to serve on the board during their term, rotating each year as they rotate on the commission. This year, Michael Thompson and Freddie Armstead will serve on the board. The Rehab Board is a board that helps inmates with a work release program.

During the Tuesday meeting, the commission also approved making two road department employees full time.

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County Engineer Ken Atkins said Randy Morgan and Cleveland Gamble both worked the 180 days required before being named full time.

Atkins also updated the commission on the RAMP funds.

“With federal money, you have to follow their rules and go step-by-step,” he said. “It can take a little longer, but we’re getting there.”

Atkins said a bridge on County Road 38 is closed to one lane, and it is top priority once the funds come through.

The commission also passed a resolution honoring Charles Tucker, who worked for the county for 47 years.

Marengo County Schools Superintendent Luke Hallmark addressed the commission to ask if the board of education could hold the key for the conference room on the second floor of the annex building.

“We were hoping to use it as our board room since our current one is just about too small for us,” Hallmark said. “If anyone needed to use the conference room, they could call us for the key, and since we’re right there, it wouldn’t be a hassle.”

Previously, the Marengo County Extension Office had control of the room and anyone who wanted to use the room called them to get the key.

Commissioner Freddie Armstead said he wanted more time to think about it.

“I think the requests need to go through [county administrator] Meredith [Hammond],” he said.

Hallmark said the board is also looking to improve the technology in the room to help with professional development.

“At most, we’d need the room three to four times a month, but since we’re up there already, it makes sense to me for us to have the key,” Hallmark said.

The commission tabled the discussion until the next meeting.