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The Marengo County Commission announced the state’s approval of a $350,000 Community Development Block Grant that will pave five dirt roads in the county. The commission applied for the grant for Bunny Creek Road, Red Oak Road, Barneys Upper Road, Winter Drive and CR 44 in July.

All roads except CR 44 are in District 5. Each road was eligible for $4,000 per resident.

During the July meeting, it was determined that Bunny Creek Road is expected to cost $150,000 and was eligible for $176,000, Red Oak Road is expected to cost $80,000 and was eligible for $104,000, Barneys Upper Road is expected to cost $100,000 and was eligible for $120,000 and Winter Drive is expected to cost $175,000 and was eligible for $180,000 and CR 44 is expected to cost over $300,000 to resurface and was eligible for $156,000.

Following taking the matter into executive session, the commission decided to apply for those five roads and use additional funds not provided by the grant in order to complete paving.

Other items approved by the commission include:

• 2020 Holidays.

• resolution honoring retiree Jackie Davis. She was a clerk in the probate office for

28 years.

• liquor license application for Magnolia Sports Bare & Grill located in Magnolia

• resolution honoring retiree Joyce Morgan. She was the librarian at the Marengo County Public Library for 26 years.

• grand jury report.

• budget amendment allotting $20,000 to the West Alabama Public Transportation to help offset operating costs in the county.

• moving two employees in the road department to operator status.

• allowing employees who have over 480 annual hours accumulated at the end of December 2020 to get paid for 80 hours minimum effective January 2020.

• the receipt of a portion of the Industrial Park Road in Demopolis that is not covered under the FAA rules and regulations. They also approved an agreement with the City of Demopolis for the county to maintain the entire road.

• the Stepping Up Resolution regarding the $50,000 grant received by the West Alabama Mental Health Center to reduce the number of individuals with a mental illness or a substance abuse disorder in jail and the emergency room.

The Marengo County commission meets the second Tuesday of each month at 9 a.m. at the courthouse. The public is invited to attend.

(This article originally appeared in the Wednesday, December 18 issue of the Demopolis Times.)