Commission OKs site for health department

WEDOWEE – Randolph County Commission approved a site for the new Randolph County Health Department.

Several weeks ago, representatives from the state visited Randolph County and toured several potential plots of land in both Roanoke and Wedowee.

During Monday’s commission meeting, chairman Lathonia Wright said that the state health department had picked the Harold Wilson property on U.S. 431 and the Keith Nelson property on Main Street as the No. 1 and No. 2 site possibilities for the new county health department. Although the state will pay to build the building, the county must provide and prepare the land.

The commission voted 3-2 to choose the Nelson property, located across from Alabama Power Company, at a cost of $125,000 because it is less expensive than the Wilson property. Wright said the city of Roanoke has also pledged $75,000 to help with the cost of the land.

Commissioners Ed Creed and Larry Raughton said they voted no because they would like for the facility to be more centrally located to the rest of the county.

Randolph Medical Center

During Thursday’s workshop meeting, the commission heard an update on the situation with Randolph Medical Center from Ralph Davis of Randolph County Healthcare Authority. The present owner, Gilliard Health Services, is looking to either sell the facility to another buyer or back to RCHA.

“I’d like for them to show financial information before we accept it,” said Raughton during Monday’s meeting. “I don’t see us taking on a debt we can’t overcome … Who will assume the debt – the county or the city of Roanoke?”

The commission will have to approve of the RCHA taking back RMC if it votes to do so.

Randolph County Jail

Following a presentation on Thursday by Sheriff Jeff Fuller about needed repairs to Randolph County Jail, the commission tabled any action on repairs until it gets estimates on plumbing and electrical repairs needed.

The jail was recently reviewed by an insurance inspector who found that it currently has five toilets and four sinks that are inoperable. Electrical wiring throughout the facility was deemed to be below the minimum standards for operation and the intercom system between inmates and officers has been inoperable for nearly ten years.

“The overall solution to this situation is to build a new jail and maintain it,” said Commission chair Lithonia Wright. “And I hate to say it, but that’s probably going to mean a tax.”

The commissioners discussed hiring a skilled maintenance person for the jail and courthouse who could handle plumbing, electrical, heating and air conditioning, etc.

County engineer Burrel Jones noted that much of the equipment in the jail has been said to be obsolete by other repairmen who’ve come to repair it. It was also noted that the plumbing hardware is currently out of production, so replacement parts will have to be specially manufactured for the Wedowee facility.

Digital mapping system

The commissioners authorized Revenue Commissioner Josh Burns to apply for a grant to help pay for the county’s share of a digital mapping system to be used in the tax office.

Burns said the total cost of the system is $226,523. The county’s share would be $47,795 and may be spread over three years. He said this system would eventually cut down on the amount of work required.

In addition, the cost will be offset in part by title searchers and real estate companies who may subscribe to use this system.

The revenue commissioner also noted that his office has the smallest budget per parcel of land in the state at $11. The state average is $24.

Other business

In other business, the commission:

Awarded the fuel system bid for the county shop to Summit for $66,175, plus an additional $6,125 for an additional pump.

Will let the county attorney handle medical bills for an inmate who has been a patient at Brookwood and elsewhere.

Approved a list of items to be purchased using Homeland Security money, including a truck. “Is anybody going to drive this truck, or is it going to sit out there?” asked Creed. EMA director Donnie Knight said in addition to pulling the EMA trailer, it could be used for any FEMA-type disaster and could be used without the trailer. This is at no cost to the county.

Will procure Southern Family Practice and Occupational Medicine to provide training on CDL license requirements to county department heads. County administrator Cindy Arrington said there are many laws that county supervisors are not aware of. The four-hour class will cost approximately $600, but any county employee who wants to attend may.

Will not renew its contract with Benefits for America and will instead manage its own cafeteria plan and not offer a flexible spending program.

Approved the final draft of the catastrophic sick leave policy. It is now available to employees.

Learned that Tony Moore has resigned from the Randolph County Industrial Development Authority, and will need to be replaced.

Learned that Penny Bradshaw and Mary John Brown’s terms on Randolph County Healthcare Authority have expired and they will need to be reappointed or replaced.

Is getting estimates on the cost of garbage cans for homeowners participating in the garbage system to purchase. The county will first find out how many would be willing to purchase the cans.

Expressed their thanks to Vest-a-Dog and First State Bank for the vest for the K-9 officer.

Renewed the maintenance contract for the telephone system at a cost of $2,281.

Approved a deferred compensation plan for employees available through the State Retirement System. Employees may allow the retirement system to invest money for them. This is at no additional cost to the county.

Will finalize the jail study committee at the next commission meeting and set up its first meeting for July. The committee will look into financing for a new jail.

Learned that the contractor on the Little Tallapoosa River Bridge project must pay $660 per day for days worked over those allotted by the contract. Because of the type of problems they have run into, the state highway department may allow some extra days. Jones said he estimates about 100 more days of work left on the bridge.

Will set up a meeting to discuss setting up boundaries for solid waste services in the county.

Will ask Linda Eidson of Camp Seale Harris (a diabetic camp for children) to send a written request for donations prior to the next budget cycle.