Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the County Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Cleburne County Commission approves broadband map challenge, awards waterline bid and changes personnel and herbicide policies
Summary
The County Commission authorized an FCC broadband map challenge, approved a CDBG waterline bid to Strain Construction contingent on ADAP approval, rescinded a local Juneteenth calendar change, excluded glyphosate from right-of-way herbicides, and instructed staff to seek better insurance quotes after a large premium increase.
Cleburne County commissioners met in regular session following the Emergency Communications District meeting and took several actions affecting infrastructure, personnel and finance.
The commission voted to authorize the Department of Economic Development to file an official challenge to the Federal Communications Commission service map for the Rammer community, saying the FCC map "does not accurately reflect the Internet service available" in parts of the county. The resolution, as read in the meeting, referenced the FCC definition of broadband as 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload.
On procurement, the commission approved staff’s recommendation to award a CDBG-funded waterline contract to Strain Construction Company for a bid amount recorded in the meeting as $66,950 (and later noted as $66,951 in the motion language); the award is contingent upon ADAP approval and the chairman was authorized to sign the notice of award.
The board added and then tabled a separate agenda item to accept a deed and enter a maintenance agreement for a water tower tied to a factory expansion (TreeBlank brand); commissioners asked staff to finalize paperwork before returning the item.
On personnel and holidays, the commission rescinded Resolution No. 5141 that had moved the county’s Juneteenth observance to June 10 and restored observance on the federal date (or nearest weekday), granting county employees a second floating holiday annually; staff explained payroll mechanics and how the change will appear on pay statements.
The commission also reiterated that new landfill businesses must obtain commission approval and tabled further action so staff could locate and review prior resolution language to avoid contradictory rules.
On environmental policy, the commission voted to exclude glyphosate from the herbicides used on county rights of way after a commissioner raised safety concerns; staff noted alternative herbicides are available but may be more expensive.
In other business, the commission authorized the county administrator to notify Metro Bank of the county’s acceptance to renew certificates of deposit under Alabama Code Section 11-4-41, adopted a resolution expressing appreciation for Ryan Robson’s 24 years of county service, and heard staff reports that property and vehicle insurance quotes had risen sharply (staff quoted a prior total near $67,000–$68,000 versus a current single quote of roughly $155,000). Commissioners instructed staff and the broker to seek alternatives and offered to consider higher deductibles to reduce premiums.
The meeting included routine staff reports on audit status, waste-management contract performance, and proposed personnel-manual changes. Several agenda items were tabled pending staff follow-up and document retrieval.
