The Marengo County Commission opened bids for surplus equipment for the road department, and the county will receive close to $12,000 for 26 surplus items.

County engineer Ken Atkins said there is a lot of scrap equipment the county has that is in the way.

“We’re trying to get rid of some of it,” he said. “We’re glad we can help others by selling some of this stuff off.”

The commission also approved a bid from Big River Industries for lightweight aggregate, which the road department uses in patching. The bid was for $33 per cubic yard, or $39 per cubic yard if delivered.

During Tuesday morning’s meeting, the commission also approved two new hires for the road department. Edward Adams and Jason Charleston were approved for hire. The commission also reappointed Tommie Reese and Bruce Baker to the E-911 Board as at-large appointments.

In other business, the commission also took the following action:

•Approved long-term detention subsidy contract

•Approved ATRC Area Agency on Aging contract for services

•Approved tax sales abatement for Demopolis Hickory Mill

•Approved liquor license for Ice House Pool Hall and Lounge in Dixons Mills

•Approved following through of the Revenue Discovery Systems filing suit against a business for unpaid taxes

The commission also approved a resolution opposing Amendment 2, which will appear on the November ballot. The amendment will increase the bonding authority paid from principal in the Alabama Trust Fund by $50 million.

The Association of County Commissions of Alabama asked commissions to pass the resolution opposing the amendment because the amendment contains no provision for how the money will be paid back to the Alabama Trust Fund, nor a requirement for it to be paid back at all.

The amendment states that the removal of the funds will be for improvements to National Guard armories. The ACCA said in a statement that the estimated interest and other costs for the bond issue are almost 50 percent.