It was a very busy agenda for the Cherokee County Commission on Monday.  Several members of the public in addition to a number of officials representing organizations including NAMI, CED Mental Health, Extended Family for Kids, Cherokee County Court Referral, Cherokee County District Court Judge Wes Mobley and Assistant District Attorney Scott Lloyd were all in attendance at the meeting to show and voice their support as the Commission unanimously adopted the 2017 National Recovery Month proclamation declaring September 2017 a National Recovery Month in Cherokee County.

Among those to address the commission were Jerry Clemons with Extended Family for Kids (pictured below), Michael Terrell a local pastor and Court Referral Officer (pictured above) in addition to local resident Heather Owens.

Cherokee County Administrator Tim Burgess was also presented with a plaque from the Association of County Commissioners for achieving a milestone in his career.  Burgess has completed all requirements of the County Government Education Institute and has been designated as a certified Alabama County Administrator by the Association of County Commissions of Alabama.

Burgess was presented the plaque by Commissioner Marcie Foster who serves on the Board of Directors of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama.

In other business Chairman Kirk Day announced that Andrea Givens has tendered her resignation from the Cherokee County Library Board. The appointment to fill that unexpired term will take place at the September 11 regular meeting. Day also announced that the Mobile Unit of the Office of the Secretary of State will offer voter registration services and issue free voter ID cards to citizens who meet requirements on Friday September, 8 during the hours of 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Leesburg Town Hall.

A motion to approve the renewal of the Southern Health Partners Health Services agreement was tabled at the request of Commissioner Kimball Parker until such time the Commission can get some additional quotes.

The Commission adopted a resolution by which the commission memorializes its consent to the use of electronic poll books for elections in Cherokee County. A resolution was also adopted authorizing the County Administrator to close county buildings in accordance with standing policies and procedures.

Also approved was an agreement between the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department and the Alabama Drug Enforcement Task Force for the Sheriff’s Office to establish membership on the states task force and approved the long term detention subsidy contract with the Alabama Department of Youth Services.

A traffic enforcement agreement with the East Central Alabama Highway Safety Office was also approved at the request of Sheriff Shaver in addition the Commission also declared a 2016 Chevy Silverado pickup truck as surplus as agreed to trade the vehicle, that vehicle has suffered several mechanical issues and is dire need of being replaced.

An application for the Byrne, Jag ADECA Grant was also approved with a local match of $8,000. This is a public safety grant.

The Commission also adopted a resolution enacting Act #2017-459 for Cherokee County to levy a Lodging Tax, this will be a $2 per night tax that will be split between Cherokee County Park Board, Cherokee County History Museum and Chamber of Commerce.

The Commission also approved a formal request to be sent to the local delegation asking them to introduce a bill authorizing the commission to fund the Cherokee County Coroner’s Office.

The Commission also approved funding for health screenings for each county employee who wishes to participate at a cost of $35 per employee.

Bids for electronic poll books were also opened during the meeting, three bids were sent out and two received with the lowest bid being awarded to NO Inc. in the amount of $29,850. That bid was accepted.

During the Planning Session held just prior to the regular meeting, the commission heard from concerned citizens who spoke out against the clear cutting of the causeway between Blackwell’s Crossroads and the Cedar Bluff Bridge along Highway 9.

Barbara Wedding spoke on and stated that when the issue was discussed with Cedar Bluff Officials they were able to garner a petition with 300 names against the project.

She stated that those she spoke with say that the trees provide a ‘wind block’ for high profile vehicles and  provide a sound barrier from the traffic for those that live close by and those were just a few of the issues.

Wedding said that if the trees must be cut that the commission at least consider leaving a few of the cedars, dogwoods and redbuds.

The next regular meeting of the Cherokee County Commission will be Monday, September 11, at 11:00 a.m. with the Planning Session at 10:30. The meeting times were changed so that the commissioners can attend the annual 911 Memorial Service at the courthouse.