Covington County Commission approves boiler bid, courthouse desk refurbishing and hires for maintenance and arena posts

The Covington County Commission on an administrative agenda approved a set of routine actions including a $301,675.60 bid for boiler work, the surplus and disposal of old pews from the county jail chapel, refurbishment of the courthouse security desk with a new countertop, the appointment of a maintenance director and a six‑month temporary arena hire.

The most consequential action was the acceptance of a single bid for boiler installation. The commission heard that the bid came from "Al Hills Boulder in, sales and repair" of Theodore, Alabama, and that the amount returned at $301,675.60. Commissioner Tommy moved to proceed with the bid and Commissioner Lynn seconded; the motion carried after the vote.

The commission also voted to declare several long pews formerly used in the jail chapel surplus and to allow the sheriff to dispose of them at his discretion. The motion was made by Commissioner Tommy and seconded by Commissioner Ben and passed unanimously.

On courthouse facilities, the commission approved a renovation of the courthouse security/bailiff station. The work approved calls for removing the existing cabinet, sanding and restaining it, replacing a plastic cabinet behind it with a new cabinet that provides drawers or doors and an open area for quick access, and installing a new countertop. There was discussion among commissioners and Judge Brooks on the choice of countertop material: Judge Brooks and others favored a laminate top for durability and ease of future replacement, while county staff noted a quartz option to match a recently renovated recording department. The motion approved by the commission directed refurbishment of the station and approved the countertop as described in the motion (the motion referenced a quartz top); commissioners agreed to finalize color selection later.

Personnel actions: after interviewing candidates, commissioners voted to hire Philip Anderson as the county maintenance director. The motion to hire Anderson was moved and seconded and carried. Separately, the commission addressed a temporary arena position created after the regular employee developed health issues. John Perrette was the only applicant at first; commissioners debated whether to reopen the posting but ultimately moved to hire Perrette for a six‑month temporary appointment. The motion to hire Perrette passed with commissioners voting in favor.

Other business and reports included brief road‑crew updates and a motion to resend an earlier parking‑lot motion, which passed. The meeting concluded with adjournment.

Votes at a glance

- Accept bid for boiler installation ($301,675.60) — Motion to proceed accepted; mover: Tommy; second: Lynn; outcome: approved. - Declare jail chapel pews surplus and allow sheriff discretion for disposal — mover: Tommy; second: Ben; outcome: approved. - Renovate courthouse security desk/station and install new countertop (motion referenced quartz top; color to be decided) — mover: Tommy; second: Lynn/Robbie (second stated in roll); outcome: approved. - Hire Philip Anderson as maintenance director — mover: not specified in transcript; second: Ben; outcome: approved. - Hire John Perrette to temporary arena position (six months) — mover: Robbie; second: Tommy; outcome: approved. - Resend parking‑lot motion — mover: Lee; second: Tommy; outcome: approved.

Nut graf: The actions were routine county administrative and facilities items that the commission said would improve courthouse operations and fill vacancies in county maintenance and arena staffing. Several items prompted brief debate about cost and materials, but each motion recorded a formal vote.

Quotes and discussion highlights

"The bid come back in at $301,675.60," a county official said when presenting the boiler item, and "I'll make a motion we proceed with it," Commissioner Tommy said before the board voted.

On the countertop choice, Judge Brooks said she favored a laminate top, noting it "is less expensive and I feel like will look better," and argued laminate would be easier to replace if damaged. A county staff member noted the quartz estimate matched the recording department's countertop but cautioned that adding another stone pattern to the lobby could be visually busy.

Ending

Commissioners said final color selection for the courthouse countertop would be left to staff and advisors on design; they did not set a specific date for completion during the meeting. The board then moved on to routine reports and adjourned.