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Bullock County moves to reallocate $200,000 in CDBG-CV funds to buy used rescue vehicle for Union Springs
Summary
Bullock County commissioners voted Dec. 16 to formally amend a CDBG-CV project to shift $200,000 from construction to equipment, enabling purchase of a used rescue vehicle for the Union Springs Fire Department. State approval of the amendment is required before purchase proceeds.
Ashley Hutchison, director of community and economic development for the South Central Alabama Development Commission, told a Dec. 16 informal public hearing that Bullock County intends to reallocate $200,000 it received in 2021 from the CDBG-CV fund to buy a used rescue vehicle for the Union Springs Fire Department.
"Back in 2021, the county commission received $200,000 from the CDBG CV fund to renovate the John Waters building," Hutchison said. "After a lengthy design and bidding process our bids came in way over, and we were forced to... we have $200,000 left over that we need to spend." She said the county will shift those funds from the construction activity to the equipment category and submit a formal amendment to the state for approval.
The reallocation drew several comments from local responders and residents who urged the county to prioritize a larger, better-equipped rescue truck. One participant, describing the high cost of new apparatus, said, "a new 1 is is well over a $1,000,000," and urged officials to pursue a reliable used vehicle and additional equipment. Speakers at the hearing also distributed listings and photos of used trucks showing widely varied mileage, engine hours and configurations.
Hutchison said the state has given a preapproval to proceed with the formal amendment and that she would submit the paperwork to the state contract office; she emphasized that formal state approval of the contract amendment is required before the county may purchase a vehicle. She also noted there is not a fixed deadline by which the county must identify the specific truck.
During the hearing a motion to close the public hearing was made and seconded; the commission then conducted a roll call and later a motion was made to formally amend the county's CDBG-CV project/resolution. The motion was recorded as carried. The transcript references two similar project identifiers (cv-20-021 and cv-20-020) in relation to the amendment; county staff indicated they will submit the correct project number with the formal amendment to the state.
Next steps: Hutchison will file the formal amendment with the state for final approval, after which the county can proceed with procurement. Commissioners and local responders said they will continue supplying quotes and vehicle details to staff to inform the purchase.
The hearing closed after the amendment motion carried; officials noted purchases cannot be made until the state's contract amendment process is complete.
