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During their Feb. 12 meeting, the Marengo County Commission approved a resolution proposing a six-mil property tax increase in order to designate four mils of funding to Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital and two mils for the repair and maintenance of roads and bridges.

The resolution must be passed by the state legislature and voted in favor of by Marengo County residents in the next election before taking affect.

The commission also approved a resolution supporting the prospective Alabama gas tax increase and amending County Engineer Ken Atkins’ budget by $6,500 to adjust for a contract with USDA for beaver trappings.

Probate Judge Laurie Hall, as a private citizen, also asked the commission to revisit their prior approval of a safety light at the intersection of Highway 28 and Rangeline Road that has not been placed yet. Commissioner Jason Windham said he would address it.

Hall also publicly thanked Pam Baker and two young girls for picking up four bags of litter at the intersection of Highway 28 and Rangeline Road. Commissioner Freddie Armstead also suggested placing signage in that area as a reminder not to litter.

Aubrey Patterson of Red Oak Road came before the commission about the state of his road. He said it is narrow and ruts are deep on the road. He initially asked that the road be improved at the commission’s Sept. 2018 meeting.

“I don’t see why this hasn’t been taken care of,” Armstead said before directing Atkins to “get it taken care of immediately.”

Other actions included:

• continuing use of First Bank of Linden for the EMA Certificate of Deposit.

• approving the county levies for alcohol licensing.

• approving the grand jury report.

• approving uniform guidance to follow the necessary policies and procedures in order to receive federal funds.

• approving the hire of Roosevelt McIntosh as a mechanic for the Road Department.

• announcing that the bids for the courthouse lighting project will be accepted at the March 12 meeting.

The project will install energy-efficient LED lighting upgrades as part of a $15,000 grant administered to the county by Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs with the funds made available through U.S. Department of Energy’s State Energy Program.

• entering executive session based on general representation of character.

The Marengo County Commission meets the second Tuesday of every month at the Marengo County Courthouse at 9 a.m.

(This article originally appeared in the Wednesday, February 20 issue of the Demopolis Times.)