Fire association seeking funds from commission

At Thursday’s workshop meeting of Randolph County Commission, Justin Johnson, President of the Randolph County Firefighter’s Association addressed the commission concerning the association’s need for financial assistance. Johnson specifically asked the commission for funds to upkeep and repair the outdoor warning siren system.

“We have had some additional expenses and we just need your help to meet our budget,” Johnson said. “Over the last seven years we have paid $26,535.35 for siren repairs and upkeep, which comes to an average of $3,790.76 a year and our current budget just can’t handle it.”

He went on to say the association has had some added costs such as 911 dispatching fees.

“This year we are paying $12,000 for dispatching and the amount will increase by 3 percent each year.”

He said there were other expenses in the budget that must be met, and the association just can’t do it all. At Monday’s meeting, commissioners tabled the request from the association and Commissioner Pam Johnson said the commission was looking at other ways to warn residents of severe weather but did not give any details.

Spring cleanup

At Thursday’s workshop, Dan Christensen addressed the commission concerning the spring cleanup around Alabama during the month of April. Christensen has served as the county chairman for the last several years.

“We need everybody’s help this year to help pickup and cleanup our county and make it a better, cleaner place,” he said.

A kickoff will be held on April 1 at First Light Coffee in Wedowee.

“At that kickoff we will handout bags to those that want to participate,” Christensen said.

The commission will look at placing dumpsters around the county for citizens to put their trash in for disposal.

In other business, the commission:

• Approved a budget amendment in the amount of $113,000 for supplies for the pothole patching trucks. The cost of supplies for patching has increased since passing the budget.
• Heard from Sheriff David Cofield there were 64 inmates in the county jail, 52 male and 12 female.
• Adopted a resolution to renew the Alabama Association of County Commission’s liability self-insurance fund participation.
• Approved to extend the 2021 Mack Lowboy loan and the 2021 Mack Trucks loan for a 12-month period due to supply chain shortages.
• Approved for the engineer and county financial officer to proceed in sending out bids for vehicles and equipment for the highway department due to the delay in delivery.