By Marla Jones
Managing Editor
marla@southerntorch.com
FORT PAYNE, ALA.-- (Full video on Southern Torch Facebook) The DeKalb County Commission held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, March 14.
DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Deputy Director Michael Posey, informed the Commission that the agency had secured funding through Alabama’s Mountains, Rivers & Valley RC&D to purchase NOAA weather radios.
The grant totaling $5,100 purchased NOAA Weather radios allocated to four community-specific organizations for distribution to underserved, English as a second language, fixed/low income, homebound, or populations living in housing which is at greater risk from impacts from high winds and tornadoes. Persons in this targeted population group may benefit from early information and warning of approaching severe weather and tornados, civil alert messaging, and other lifesaving notifications. The NOAA radio will give early warning that may decrease the threat to life, and provide sufficient time to take protective measures and seek shelter.
The four community partners joining the DeKalb County Commission, DeKalb County EMA, along with the grantor Alabama Mountains Rivers and Valley RC&D are DeKalb County Home Healthcare (Holly Swanson), DeKalb Regional Home Healthcare (Sandy Scott), Leadership DeKalb County (Slade Carden, Kevin Burt, Angie McCurdy, Tricia Shankles), and DeKalb County Council of Aging (Emily McCamy) who will distribute to the mentioned targeted populations.
Road Department Superintendent Tom Broyles updated the Commission on projects at the County Road Department.
The Department is getting vehicles ready to take to the March auction. DeKalb is known for bringing good quality vehicles to the auction with several cities and counties verifying that they would have vehicles in the sale.
“I feel that this could be the biggest action we have ever had” stated Broyles.
DeKalb Road Department has received two new trucks this week to replace those being auctioned and hopes to receive two more by the end of the week.
Broyles informed the Commission that a 2017 John Deere tractor used at the Road Department, was having transmission problems. The labor alone to repair would be around $10,000. The total price for parts and labor would be upwards of $15,000. If the tractor was in perfect condition, it would bring around $45,000 to $50,000. Broyles recommended carrying the tractor to an auction with a $35,000 reserve which the Commission approved.
Superintendent Byoules also requested that an Assistant Superintendent position be posted for bid. This will be a new position in the Road Department.
DeKalb County Engineer Ben Luther presented bids for the Rebuild Alabama County Transportation Plan to the Commission. Charles Watts received the bid in the amount of $2,648,671.48.
Luther also presented a truck bid from Donohoo Chevrolet for a 2023 Chevrolet Silverado Police Pursuit Truck in the amount of $45,810.66, which was approved by the Commission.
A public hearing was held for anyone for or against a proposed subdivision by Calvin Wells, off of County Road 180 in District 4. With no objections, the permit was granted to develop.
Paul Tumlin retired from the DeKalb County Library Board after many years of service. Dana Greeson has filled the vacant position since his retirement. The Commission appointed her to the position retroactively since September 2022. Her term expires in October 2024.
The Commission reappointed William Dalton and William Black to the DeKalb-Jackson Water Board.
The Commission appointed Kent Rogers, Brandon Raines, and Tim Manness to the High Falls Park Board.
The dates for the DeKalb County Spring Clean-Up will be April 5-8 and April 12-15 from 8 am to 5 pm at the Sand Valley Landfill. Sand Valley Landfill is located at 3345 County Road 209 Collinsville. This service is provided free of charge by Republic Services Inc. and the DeKalb County Commission. Tires, paint, batteries, or hazardous waste are not allowed.
The next meeting of the DeKalb County Commission will be on April 11 at 10 a.m. at the Activities Building.
