Covington County Commission approves upgrades, budget amendments and bids; board advertises mental-health vacancy

The Covington County Commission met and approved routine and project items including equipment upgrades for the commission chambers, a budget amendment, contract and bid approvals, and a public advertisement for an expiring seat on the South Central Mental Health Board.

In brief: commissioners approved the consent agenda, authorized upgrades to the chambers' audio and video system (including installation by county staff Kyle and Eric and addition of a small desk at the rear of the room), amended a budget line item (Cat's 2025 budget) to move an expense into a different line, reversed a prior surplus declaration for an engineer's paint truck so the county can retain and reuse the vehicle, and accepted a single bid for the county's annual hot-mix asphalt contract.

The commission also approved in-kind services from the engineer's department to fix drainage at a Head Start facility, adopted a proclamation marking a national sesquicentennial-type commemoration event ("Two Lights for Tomorrow"), and agreed to advertise to fill a six-year vacancy on the South Central Mental Health Board. Commissioners approved a contractor change order request for PH and J that added a 30-foot, 4-inch solid block wall at a cost the contractor listed as $3,000; county staff said the contract contains a $75,000 contingency that will absorb the additional work. County staff later cited an earlier change-order invoice of about $33,598.03 against that contingency.

Votes at a glance (motions and outcomes recorded by voice):

- Consent agenda (minutes and payroll): approved. - Chambers audio/video upgrade and installation by Kyle and Eric, including a small desk in the rear: approved (motion from Tommy; second from Lynn). - Amendment to Cat's 2025 budget to add a line item: approved (motion from Tommy; second from Robbie). - Reverse declaration of surplus for engineer's paint truck (retain and repurpose): approved (motion from Lynn; second from Robbie). - Homeland Security grant application for sheriff (see separate article): approved. - Additional jail scanner maintenance funding of $14,535.86 from jail budget: approved (see separate article). - Out-of-state travel for sheriff's investigators and memorial travel: approved (see separate article). - In-kind services to Head Start to address drainage (engineer department labor/dirt work): approved. - PH and J change order (30-foot block wall, $3,000 added; contingency available): approved. - Hot mix asphalt annual bid (single bidder: Wiregrass): approved. - Proclamation for "Two Lights for Tomorrow" (statewide commemoration): adopted. - Discretionary donations to Strong (Strachan) High School football equipment: motion to donate $1,000 from Commissioner Robbie approved; additional $500 donations from other commissioners recorded.

Why it matters: approved upgrades and bids affect county infrastructure work, procurement and transparency (A/V upgrades to maintain meeting broadcasts). The PH and J change order and asphalt contract commit county funds and contractor work; staff noted contingencies and thresholds when explaining additional costs.

Ending: Commissioners closed the meeting after staff and commissioner reports and a motion to adjourn.