Choctaw County commission approves financing, schedules waste-plan hearing and OKs airport federal-aid agreement

The Choctaw County Commission on June 10 approved bank financing for new county dump trucks, set a public hearing on an updated solid waste management plan and authorized an agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation that the county says is required to pursue certain federal airport funds.

The actions come after brief staff reports on airport inspection items and fleet needs. Commissioners voted unanimously on the motions recorded in the meeting.

County Engineer (unnamed) recommended awarding financing for the county's new dump-truck purchases to First US Bank at a 4.11 percent interest rate and said the trucks should be delivered within about 60 days. "The low interest rate from the proposals we sent out was First US Bank at 4.11%," the County Engineer said. Commissioner Jackson moved to award the financing and Commissioner Dahlgren seconded; the motion carried.

Commissioners also considered airport matters during staff reports. Airport staff said an inspection had identified two remaining issues: striping on the airport surface and preparation of a small apron area intended as a safer landing zone for medical helicopters. Trees noted in the inspection have been removed, staff said. The airport manager or staff reported a temporary notice related to the inspection is set to expire July 31 and that a striping quote had been submitted to the judge; the striping cost was discussed as roughly $35,000 and an extension of the notice is possible. The record does not specify the dimensions of the helicopter landing-zone apron area.

On the county's solid waste planning, staff presented a draft Solid Waste Management Plan prepared by consultant Plainfield and said state rules require the county to update or reapprove the plan every 10 years. The commission approved a resolution to set a public hearing on the draft plan for Aug. 12 and directed staff to publish notice in the local paper. Commissioner Mosley moved to approve the resolution; Commissioner Gautier seconded and the motion carried.

For airport funding eligibility, the commission approved signing an "Alabama Uniform Certification Program" agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation. County Attorney Lee explained that federal funding requires a disadvantaged-business plan prepared by the department and that the agreement commits the county to cooperate by providing needed information. The commission amended the motion to authorize the airport manager, Joe, to sign the agreement on the county's behalf. Commissioner Dahlgren moved to approve the agreement and Commissioner Cherry seconded; the motion passed.

The commission also recessed into an executive session to discuss the "good name and character" of an employee; the record shows one employee, Will Stevens, was to remain for that session. The meeting record indicates commissioners expected a brief executive session and planned to return at approximately 9:32 a.m.

Meeting minutes from the June 10 agenda were approved earlier in the session on a motion by Commissioner Rose and a second by Commissioner Jackson.

Meeting decisions included: approval of the June 10 minutes; approval of financing for the county's dump trucks with First US Bank at 4.11 percent; adoption of a resolution to set an Aug. 12 public hearing on the Solid Waste Management Plan drafted by consultant Plainfield; approval of the Alabama Uniform Certification Program agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation and authorization for the airport manager to sign; and entry into executive session on a personnel matter.

The record does not include roll-call vote tallies or names of commissioners voting "aye" or "nay" on each motion beyond the stated motions and seconds and the chair announcing that the motions carried with "aye" votes.