Bibb County Commission Tales

Commissioners call for a vote, secure line of credit, approve work at jail, and more

By Daniel L. Bamberg

Daniel@Centrevillepress.com

Bibb County Commissioners passed a measure to place a vote in the November general election.  The vote will be for citizens to determine whether or not a fee will be tacked on to court cases to cover safety and security for county buildings.  This decision was made at the regularly scheduled meeting of the commission on Tuesday, July 10.

Though the election was approved unanimously, Commissioner Ricky Hubbard called it a moot point. 

“I don’t believe the people of Bibb County will vote to put a fee on themselves, but I have no problems allowing people to vote on the issue and put it on the ballot.” said Hubbard.

Commissioners also voted unanimously to establish a line of credit, which will be used solely for economic development purposes.  Every commissioner stated there was a serious need for this line of credit but most wanted a clear explanation of how any borrowed money would be paid back before voting to use it.  

“We need this loan opportunity for some things down the road,” said Commissioner James Kelley.  “It shouldn’t be something we can use at the spur of a moment. It shouldn’t be easy to use. So we need to make it clear how it will be paid back and be certain it can be before borrowing any money.”

Commissioners also approved to proceed in getting bids for renovations to the Rock Building, Court House and Probate Office roofs.  There are a variety of options on how the roof repairs can be done, so Commissioners stipulated that they would like all bidders to bid on each option.

Bibb County Administrator Mark Tyner will be charged with looking into various concepts of a display for those attending a commission meeting.  The display which will either be an overhead projection of a large television will allow Commissioners to show the district lines and highlight what is being discussed during the commission meeting.  The screen will face the audience and sit behind the commissioners’ podium.

The commission also wants there to be a way for Commissioners to highlight any areas of a map or any specifics in whatever is being displayed without having to approach the screen or turn around. 

Tyner will be looking for an affordable way that allows each commissioner to remotely operate the screen from his or her seated positions at the podium.

With no comments about John Madden being made, Ricky Hubbard and other Commissioners suggested there be a drawing option, which would allow areas to be circled on maps by drawing on a remote screen that displays on the screen overlooking the audience. 

Chief Deputy Kenneth Weems of the Bibb County Sheriff’s Department recently went to Auburn to look at two patrol vehicles being retired by Auburn police.  Auburn wants to give a 2006 and 2008 Crown Victoria to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office. 

Commissioners asked if the two vehicles were necessary.

“We’re having to pull stuff out of junk piles just to keep our people on the road,” said Sheriff Keith Hannah. 

“We had to pull a retired vehicle out and now we’re going to retire it again because the motor blew up,’ said Weems who also stated both Auburn vehicles would be assets to the department.

Commissioners agreed to accept the vehicles with the stipulation that those, which are replaced, would be used for parts.

Bibb County Engineer Jeff McKinney explained to Commissioners that NaturChem would be doing its 3^rd and final round of herbicide on July 16.  After this round, the Commission will determine whether or not to enter an extensive contract for rights of way spraying with the herbicide group.

McKinney also requested to hire two equipment operators for the highway department.  Commissioners passed the request unanimously. 

The county will soon make it’s final $60,000 payment on a Mack Truck.  McKinney suggested that the county take this money directly into buying new equipment once the final payment is made.  McKinney suggested that this debt needs to continuously cycle towards equipment to keep the machines running and up to date.

Commissioners agreed that this expected loss should continue to go towards keeping the equipment updated with the road department. 

“You can’t do anything if you don’t have anything to do it with,” said Commissioner Walter Sansing.  “Keeping the machines and equipment in order is important to keeping our roads in order.”

Sansing requested that McKinney get more prices on a new grade-all and backhoe so that the county can get the best and most affordable product available. 

County Administrator Mark Tyner suggested that the county pay to install a new intercom system at the Bibb County jail.  The current system does not work properly according to Tyner and only a specific company conduct the maintenance of the one already installed.

The new intercom system can be installed by a local company and can be worked on by various companies.  Tyner suggested that installing a new system would be a large cost initially but become cost effective down the road.  Commissioners passed the new installation unanimously. 

Commissioners also passed a proposal for a $4,000 - $5,000 annual jail maintenance contract.  Tyner suggested that it was best to have annual maintenance at the jail rather than waiting for something to break down and pay a huge expenditure.  Less than 5 years ago the commission had to approve an over $20,000 repair for an emergency maintenance situation.  Tyner suggested that regular maintenance could and should avoid such things.  Commissioners passed the maintenance contract unanimously. 

The next meeting of the Bibb County Commission will be on Tuesday, July 24 at 9:00 a.m. inside the Commission Chambers of the Rock Building in Centreville.