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Choctaw County Commission accepts CDBG grant for Melvin Cutoff Road; approves procurement policy and routine business
Summary
At its Jan. 7 meeting the Choctaw County Commission accepted a CDBG award for improvements to Melvin Cutoff Road, adopted a federal procurement policy required for that grant, and approved several routine items including a pipe bid award, job posting and board reappointments.
The Choctaw County Commission on Jan. 7, 2025, voted to accept a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for improvements to Melvin Cutoff Road and adopted a county procurement policy required for federally funded projects.
The action authorizes the chairman to sign startup documents related to the CDBG award for Melvin Cutoff Road. County staff said plans and specifications are complete and the county intends to advertise the project; construction bidding was set to begin after the county engineer advertised the project. Carrie, a county staff member, told the commission the project advertising is set and thanked Steven, who prepared plans and specifications, saying, “Steven pulled it off over the holidays, got the engineer to approve the plans, and we’re on go.” She told commissioners the construction advertisement date is Jan. 30.
Why it matters: The CDBG award, coupled with the procurement policy adoption, clears legal and administrative steps the county must complete before bidding and spending federal funds on the Melvin Cutoff improvements. County staff also briefed the commission on a related annual report required under the Rebuild Alabama program.
Most important facts - The commission approved a procurement policy tailored to federal-award requirements that was updated to reflect 2023 bid-law changes. The policy will apply only to federal-aid type grants, county staff said. - The commission accepted a CDBG award for Melvin Cutoff Road and authorized the chairman to sign required grant documents. - The county engineer reported the FY2024 Rebuild Alabama Act annual report and told commissioners the Melvin Cutoff project is being advertised; plans and specs were completed over the holidays.
Votes at a glance (motions recorded at the meeting) - Approve minutes from the Dec. 10 meeting — Motion by Commissioner Cherry; second by Commissioner Jackson. Outcome: motion carried. - Award polyethylene pipe bid to Ace Farm and Home (county engineer recommendation) — Motion by Commissioner Mosley; second by Commissioner Doggett. Outcome: motion carried. - Accept FY2024 Rebuild Alabama Act annual report (as presented by the county engineer) — Motion by Commissioner Cherry; second by Commissioner Jackson. Outcome: motion carried. - Adopt updated procurement policy for federal grants (to meet 2023 bid-law requirements) — Motion by the chair; second by Commissioner Dogwick. Outcome: motion carried. - Accept CDBG award for Melvin Cutoff Road and authorize chairman to sign startup documents — Motion by Commissioner Dahlgren; second by Commissioner Jackson. Outcome: motion carried. - Approve agreement naming the Alabama secretary of state as county agent to mail Voting Rights Act notices under Act 2021-534 (no local cost; paid from state elections fund) — Motion by Commissioner Moser; second not specified. Outcome: motion carried. - Authorize advertising to fill a courthouse maintenance position (part-time or full-time depending on applicants) and allow staff to execute documents to fill the post — Motion by Commissioner Cherry; second by Commissioner Jackson. Outcome: motion carried. - Reappoint three members to the Parks and Recreation Board with terms expiring in January — Motion by the chair; second by Commissioner Jackson. Outcome: motion carried.
Discussion and context County staff reviewed a FY2024 Rebuild Alabama Act annual report the commission must present under state rules. Staff said two projects from the report are complete, one is about 90% complete, and the remaining balances were already approved for 2025. The county engineer said the Melvin Cutoff project will be advertised this week and that staff had finalized plans and specifications.
The commission also voted to let the Alabama secretary of state act as the county’s agent for required voter-notice mailings under Act 2021-534; staff said the state elections fund will cover the postage costs.
Other routine business included approving minutes, awarding a polyethylene pipe purchase, authorizing travel reimbursement for a Chamber staff member to attend a January conference, and reappointing three park-and-rec board members whose terms expire in January.
Closing note Commissioners approved a motion to enter executive session later in the meeting to discuss a personnel matter; no personnel action was recorded before the public meeting adjourned.
