[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6115039,"mediaKeyId","2740408-dd7e6b18f1cc4601f54e7c2fbe97e5bd","parentId",2740408,"title","Commission to consider contract with Northstar Engineering and $7,500 budget amendment for DHR site survey","audioSeconds",88,"startMs",762000,"endMs",850000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2740408-dd7e6b18f1cc4601f54e7c2fbe97e5bd&start=762&end=850","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2740408-dd7e6b18f1cc4601f54e7c2fbe97e5bd/thumbnail_762000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6115039/Houston-County/Alabama/Commission-to-consider-contract-with-Northstar-Engineering-and-7500-budget-amendment-for-DHR-site-survey","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115039-0bb906e0f4b67522882cb5331f7995f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1773581238&Signature=e-zv7rzfE1s9vviVFJMF4iZVHRexaaEMHNgWG5eObtAW89OhW7RpeKugCLZ~s3aSFhPqgwhwrIqLQJEtKiTo~oc-YSD99U7qSyqRNqqiqwOXibO6sl54lnunTPF00aa7QNMXUClkhH8~d21v-MUMac7hYtPdsStDT8LKv0H-I62rG1pIJu2GY4jFdpXq5Y0StvHkba15OQhtnd2aeYks572eQb4OVot3yl3XBbX-f8KxzT9Z5ahL-G2kowWKRH9m5KtwXqNPiOWvbhPdqljdw02SKgqXkJ80MFB2qih7JUY5Vkmf4znj8YW3F5pLEJB4K-uwX~PZkrj7RhbEA4WzEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Houston County Alabama","date","2025-03-20T22:47:36Z","article","Houston County commissioners placed on the Monday agenda a request to authorize the chairman to negotiate and sign a contract with Northstar Engineering to survey property being considered for a Department of Human Resources (DHR) facility and to approve a $7,500 budget amendment to cover the survey cost.

The Chairman said the county recently purchased a house and surrounding land and has discussed with DHR the possibility of locating a new DHR facility on that parcel. \"One of the things that we're gonna have to do is we're gonna have to survey off that property and include part of the Farm Center property that will have to be surveyed and, we have to create one parcel,\" the Chairman said. He told the commission he had a proposal from Northstar Engineering for $7,500 and wanted the authorization to proceed if other minor tasks by staff are ready.

The Chairman said the parcel eventually would be transferred to the Public Building Authority if the project moves forward, but that several administrative steps remain and the county is not ready to execute the survey contract immediately. He asked to add the item to Monday's agenda so the commission could authorize the chairman to finalize negotiations and approve the budget amendment if staff completes outstanding tasks before the next meeting.

The item was added to the Monday agenda by unanimous consent: \"Any objection to placing that item on the agenda for Monday? No. No objection,\" the Chairman said. County staff indicated DHR has \"tentatively agreed\" to build at the site but that details remain under discussion; no binding commitment was recorded at the administrative meeting.

If approved next week, county staff will execute the survey contract and complete parcel consolidation work needed for future site transfer and building planning.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Houston County's Administrative Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Houston County Commission will consider a contract with Northstar Engineering and a $7,500 budget amendment to survey a parcel being considered for a Department of Human Resources facility at its Monday meeting.","taxTitle","Houston County, Alabama","taxId",2539,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6115043,"Public hearing set for De e Clark Road vacation after resident seeks road vacation to enable residential development",198,539000,737000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2740408-dd7e6b18f1cc4601f54e7c2fbe97e5bd&start=539&end=737","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2740408-dd7e6b18f1cc4601f54e7c2fbe97e5bd/thumbnail_539000.jpg","/articles/6115043/Houston-County/Alabama/Public-hearing-set-for-De-e-Clark-Road-vacation-after-resident-seeks-road-vacation-to-enable-residential-development","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115043-a3f5b5a0baec035724c710366f4829e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1773581238&Signature=jeHoc7bXi9oQ9FWVIpAi1ADyW8VEFfkcFhI~eZZ6Qtxwm~T3iCbIjfsjf7dAqwSMJUQB6y-Dt3uE8C2rDL8EgT9-AzeUPfx0yqwvlA-O5vH9Px-AgAJejl~POkPfQNsLW~a1d7TuW~HbvM-GbPgToAA99F~JnhB8J~BV4DJbn7hp6rzafRzSRv9Xh-GvVS9pmIKhLlGYO31OEjL2zr9mbgKGR7wKoZr1dYPZRFkoIdUodhiW954nYw1NB3a7HYQy8lS-9gzLQIzKhz7z-dl2Uue4kxFFug1UpYfkJYBIiG7x-5le8b3T8OlhsmSLSsXkRk6jGgjE7iZLuPHIl3yNBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Houston County Commission added a resolution to vacate De e Clark Road to the Monday meeting agenda and scheduled a public hearing for 10 a.m., the Chairman said.

Brent Skipper, who identified himself as a resident at 3779 County Road 28 in Slocum, spoke to the commission about the proposed vacation. Skipper said the road is a prescriptive easement and that, if vacated, \"it'll become the sanctuary private property again, and we'll start taking care of it.\" He told commissioners he has discussed the plan with adjacent neighbors and described generally positive responses.

Skipper said the property owners plan to develop the land for residential housing over multiple years. \"We wanna develop it...I would look at it more like a realignment of Dee Clark Road. It'll probably just get jogged over a little bit because I'd love to have a connector from Horn Road up to Trawick Road,\" Skipper said. He also said he intends to keep the area \"more rural\" and that neighbors were \"pretty excited about that.\" He acknowledged the timeline would be market-dependent and could take more than a year.

The Chairman read the request to add the road-vacation resolution and said a public hearing will be held at 10 a.m. Monday; the commission will take public comment and has not decided whether to approve the vacation. Skipper and members of the public may present additional materials and testimony at that hearing.

No formal action to vacate the road was taken at the administrative meeting; the commission added the item to the public meeting agenda so neighbors and interested parties can comment.","A public hearing was scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday on vacating De e Clark Road; resident Brent Skipper told the commission he seeks the road vacation so adjacent land can be developed and the prescriptive easement returned to private ownership.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6115048,"Commission adds surplus-equipment sales to agenda: asphalt distributor truck and prime tank",33,523000,556000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2740408-dd7e6b18f1cc4601f54e7c2fbe97e5bd&start=523&end=556","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2740408-dd7e6b18f1cc4601f54e7c2fbe97e5bd/thumbnail_523000.jpg","/articles/6115048/Houston-County/Alabama/Commission-adds-surplus-equipment-sales-to-agenda-asphalt-distributor-truck-and-prime-tank","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115048-9db55148450103b6177b496d2240b8c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1773581238&Signature=anHmnvpCmMJ4Zg4ZPRHOrqueAKvgLCoRVvfsoLvizlLcgZighkBSaR2fh8~ZU4BGNwL0lC8wK7LtRx00rVK6RghEfyeJ8fzjJWXRJD0ObvSLwz~VzvbNE~9mqkbEZCgNtVPCzFVqjqF8lWwCRUVCJK-yCqbbpN80iSklLV0Tm1km6gYNtIQdfoCAC7piVp7UPjSYw83FwnS0k4qVeypbIRKdPuIzhMzhPAA4oA6OazKtuELyhHm6THJ0JOFacWrZ08LAdNS570NLsJb8557Kiqca-gRu7NusgKdCJHIAuXuoGW0hDrlWrm4NV5rXoTs0qxnlXZk-GuqKVCG8vbss4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Houston County Commission added a request to sell surplus equipment—an asphalt distributor truck and a prime tank—on GovDeals to the Monday agenda by unanimous consent.

The Chairman asked if there were objections to including the item; none were raised. No further details, including reserve prices or timelines for the online auction, were provided during the administrative session. The sale will be considered and, if approved, administered through GovDeals at a later date.","Houston County commissioners added to the Monday agenda a request to sell an asphalt distributor truck and a prime tank on GovDeals; the item was placed on the agenda by unanimous consent.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6115053,"Commission to require municipalities and a Wicksburg nonprofit to sign agreements before bond-funded park payments",118,373000,491000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2740408-dd7e6b18f1cc4601f54e7c2fbe97e5bd&start=373&end=491","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2740408-dd7e6b18f1cc4601f54e7c2fbe97e5bd/thumbnail_373000.jpg","/articles/6115053/Houston-County/Alabama/Commission-to-require-municipalities-and-a-Wicksburg-nonprofit-to-sign-agreements-before-bond-funded-park-payments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115053-ed3e3cdddc51804c430c4340a6f9e59e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773581238&Signature=I1RPq2mHU7RACL2McxWKpCmufO7iMw~rZ-7HEvPhi1DOei-y82y~hNOx23Akv00MHPvrc8xvd6O2AXpv9hO6WhxOfpg0BZmJngiwSyBBpCgaWbtMEeCS38kPpg0jPKFSgGR5PStyjD2q2VTMTAG3cWMfBHw69kfWeJz2otopqLmTpEIJkRQDgQVaQg~RhY9XlYNTWo2JHKIe82mre9NtvwXQkKZQZ2E9MLgf9o3dCTA6QxZa~BKPU78jabutzamXMz1m5X9W5gU-5mUsmRsXWJDRZIiHXm11RRhlqD32XPLN-R3FBhb5nlgOhor1qtFO7BQc1XebUV2tAKM4SwbWuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Houston County Commission agreed to place on the Monday agenda a request to authorize the county to enter agreements with municipalities and one nonprofit that will receive bond funds for recreational-park improvements.

The Chairman said attorneys advised a change in how the county will deliver the first tranche of bond funds: rather than transferring money into town or nonprofit bank accounts, the county will pay vendor invoices directly. \"We're not going to give anybody any money,\" the Chairman said. \"The towns will come to us and they'll essentially say, 'here's my bill from this project, and we will pay that bill on their behalf.'\" He explained the approach is intended to protect the bond's tax-exempt status and to prevent county liability if a recipient misuses funds.

The Chairman said every municipality and the nonprofit in Wicksburg must sign the agreement to receive funds. County staff confirmed that no municipality or nonprofit will receive less than the funds the commission promised; the change is a control mechanism recommended by attorneys.

The item was added to the meeting agenda by unanimous consent: \"Any objection to placing this item on the agenda? No objection,\" the Chairman said.

County staff and the commission characterized the step as administrative and protective of bond compliance; the agreement language and a final disbursement process will be reviewed at the public meeting.","Houston County commissioners agreed to place on the Monday agenda an item authorizing the county to enter agreements with municipalities and a Wicksburg nonprofit to control disbursement of bond funds for park improvements; county will pay vendors directly rather than transferring funds to local accounts.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6115058,"Houston County Commission places resolution opposing Senate Bill 110 on Monday agenda",232,91000,323000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2740408-dd7e6b18f1cc4601f54e7c2fbe97e5bd&start=91&end=323","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2740408-dd7e6b18f1cc4601f54e7c2fbe97e5bd/thumbnail_91000.jpg","/articles/6115058/Houston-County/Alabama/Houston-County-Commission-places-resolution-opposing-Senate-Bill-110-on-Monday-agenda","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115058-1427b076ce071423c3cbe02d70b82b16/orig.mp4?Expires=1773581238&Signature=imHUbFlqubFDdPoDZYBRRFDe2UgVVri8X5uu7gA8Z-WCqO1cQNJ89Oy2ggjsc-Clf79VbP44WPxJRIQ6mhb-PpsY8Vj3Z3vj6lSHMdEec4vKUSDxKOrLffK~X64F6HsM-IoCP9jjdjqD4e1gF1rPHDLD1nsxmlGey~GPYNTDcO435puVe7YZhRp~yUxd9YXmxtORtw5FvhpzcflktagpfqBHEkF2m2EwhL58eY2pFLhhihn-Lvs5zBYDWRfm-WPV0LjbVcZjNkGp1mbqcowLqSVJ4XWpUNQuG5dHKJ4HKJsKeH~IMPUAYMoWQBIQ8SnxyU92fk8DqtHvAXiy2vXoiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Houston County Commission placed on its Monday agenda a resolution opposing Senate Bill 110, which county leaders say would raise allowable truck axle and gross weights and increase wear on local roads and bridges.

The resolution, read aloud by the Chairman, said the county opposes SB 110 because higher allowable weights would \"tear up our county roads\" and reverse progress made under the Rebuild Alabama Act. The Chairman read figures included in the draft resolution alleging the bill \"is estimated to cause $54,900,000 in additional damage to county roads annually\" and would require the Alabama Department of Transportation to spend an extra \"$150,000,000 each year\" on repairs. The Chairman added that SB 110 \"provides no additional funding, leaving taxpayers to cover the costs.\"

The matter was added to the agenda by unanimous consent: \"Any objection to placing this item on the agenda? No objection,\" the Chairman said.

County Engineer (title shown in the meeting) urged opposition as well, saying, \"we definitely do not wanna encourage any increases in weight on our roads,\" and warned the commission that increased weights would accelerate pavement deterioration. The commission discussion included a restatement of current weight limits cited in the meeting: a gross vehicle weight limit of 80,000 pounds and an axle limit described in the discussion as 40,000 pounds for tandem axles and 20,000 pounds for a single axle; the Chairman said he did not want to accept an increase to 22,000 pounds per axle.

The Chairman noted that higher axle weights can \"increase pavement wear by 30%\" for relatively small increases in vehicle weight, language drawn from the resolution text. The draft also states increased weights could affect stopping distances, raise crash risks and force weight restrictions on listed bridges; the Chair read those bridge counts as \"8 state maintained and 348 county maintained bridges.\"

County staff reported they have taken local advocacy steps: County Engineer said he and a colleague recently traveled to Montgomery to meet with a senator about the bill. No formal vote on the resolution occurred at this meeting; the commission scheduled full consideration of the resolution at the public meeting and public hearing set for 10 a.m. Monday.

The commission and staff described the addition to the agenda as preparatory: the resolution will be considered at the Monday meeting, when commissioners can debate and vote on a final text.","The Houston County Commission added a resolution opposing Senate Bill 110, which would raise allowable truck axle weights, to its Monday agenda by unanimous consent and heard staff warnings about potential road damage and safety impacts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission to consider contract with Northstar Engineering and $7,500 budget amendment for DHR site survey

Public hearing set for De e Clark Road vacation after resident seeks road vacation to enable residential development

Commission adds surplus-equipment sales to agenda: asphalt distributor truck and prime tank

Commission to require municipalities and a Wicksburg nonprofit to sign agreements before bond-funded park payments

Houston County Commission places resolution opposing Senate Bill 110 on Monday agenda