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Funding for schools could be in jeopardy When the Washington County Commission met on Feb. 26, there were two items involving unexpected expenditures for the already financially strapped body. Michael Onderdonk, the county's attorney, informed the commission that the 12 mills property designated to the Washington County Board of Education must be renewed by public referendum or the schools risk losing this money. These millages were passed in 1976 for a 30-year period and are set to expire unless re-voted and passed. Onderdonk, who also represents the Washington County Board of Education, presented the commission with two petitions signed by 200 registered voters, the number necessary to call a special election. He said, "These petitions are being submitted to you with the recommendation that the county board of registrars examine and verify that these are duly registered voters." Onderdonk told commissioners that the millages are in three categories of taxes and the third category, District Tax, cannot be voted on until the previous 3 mills (a separate category millage) is first voted into law. Therefore, this necessitates the need for two special elections, a burdensome expense to the commission. Commission Chairman Judge Charles Singleton asked about the recent constitutional amendment mandating from each county governing body at least 10 mills for schools. Onderdonk explained that Washington County's school millage would drop from the present 12 to 10 unless a special election is held and the millage renewed by voters. Onderdonk stated, "Had all this taken place last June, then the millages could have been voted on in the June primary and the district tax in the general election in November with no extra expense to the commission." Commissioner Alan Bailey asked Onderdonk, "Is there any way the school could help us with election expenses?" Onderdonk said perhaps something could be worked out, but in any case the school board would "have to bear the expense of the campaign." The one bright spot in all of this was the hope that if the governor calls a special election, as he has indicated, for a state budget item, then the state would bear part of the expense for the first election. However, the second election would have to be held before Oct. 1, with Sept. 11 being a target date, according to Onderdonk; and that one's on the county. Singleton estimated that it would cost $110,000 for both elections out of the general fund. Commissioner Willie Dixon said, "We need to also sit down with the school board and get their district lines in compliance with the commission districts." Onderdonk suggested a joint meeting of the commission and the Washington County Board of Education at the next commission meeting to take up both the special elections and the district lines. Problems with health department foundation Financial woes loomed again, when Jason Sturdivant, county engineer, informed the commission that the foundation preparation for the new health department was not going well at all. Sturdivant read parts of a letter from Carmichael Engineering outlining problems with the site. The first instruction from Carmichael, according to Sturdivant, was that he excavate two feet under the building site and 1 foot under the parking lot. He explained that they have had to go deeper because they found trouble areas. Carmichael is now recommending building up the surface with stone and installing an under drain around the building pad. "We are looking at substantially more money for these additions. This is going to double the original cost or more," Sturdivant said. Commissioner Hilton Robbins said, "So instead of $200,000, we are looking at $400,000." Jason Smith, a representative from Carmichael Engineering explained that one of the main problems encountered is the loose material on the south side of the site. "The ground work conditions have changed from that of our original drillings," he said. "We are seeing loose materials on the south side of the site that won't hold up a building." Discussion ensued and Sturdivant said, "We can finish what we started; we can move; we can hire somebody to do it. These are our choices. Whatever y'all want to do." To Judge Singleton's question if the building could be shifted on site, Sturdivant answered, "Not really. The south and west sides are the worse spots." The commission decided to schedule an immediate meeting with Carmichael upper level management at the site itself and make a decision to stay on site or move to a different location. Commissioner Robbins explained that it was the State Health Department officials who chose the present site, not the commission. Road name changes Tina Fowler of Washington County 911 told commissioners of problems with road name signs removal and even signs being interchanged. She also said that residents are putting green signs similar to official county road signs on private drives and sometimes the names are identical to county road names. She explained that this makes it difficult for emergency vehicles to find destinations in a timely manner. The commission passed a resolution that only county roads will have green signs and private drives blue signs. Appointments Judge Singleton read out a list of boards to which the commission appoints one or more members and asked commissioners to give consideration to prospective appointees. Washington County Housing Authority At present the town of Chatom has title to the name "Washington County Housing Authority," and manages all HUD and other federal housing monies which are spent only within the town limits of Chatom. The commission has previously asked the city of Chatom to begin work toward separating the town from the county at large in reference to housing. Apparently nothing has been done toward this. Commissioner Dixon said, "The big problem is their attachment to funding. This will have to be worked out so that they can continue to receive funds for debts already incurred." Judge Singleton said, "We need to push them on this. They have us tied up." Hiring dispatcher Maj. Kesler Weaver representing Sheriff Richard Stringer asked for the hiring of an additional dispatcher. Judge Singleton said he was under the impression that when the commission passed a resolution in '04 that E-911 would be the dispatcher for the county, the one in the courthouse would be eliminated. Weaver said the sheriff is having to pay the dispatcher overtime now.
Singleton said that before they make a recommendation regarding this request and before the next commission meeting, they need to look at the budget process.
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