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At the April 12 Marengo County Commission meeting, the Commission approved the redistricting plan that was presented at the March meeting. The plan was presented by Louis Hines of Alabama State University’s Center for Leadership and Public Policy.

A map of the proposed plan was on display at the Marengo County Courthouse, and was published for several weeks in local newspapers. A public hearing was held at the beginning of the meeting, but no one spoke for or against the redistricting. The new districts will go into effect for the 2024 elections.

Marengo County Coordinator for Altapointe Health, Bernice Nixon, spoke to the Commission about underage drinking. She said their goal is to target underage drinking in Marengo County for students 12 to 18 years of age.

Hal Cain with Business Alabama magazine approached the Commission and asked for them to purchase an ad in the June edition that will feature Marengo County. The county was last featured in 2020. The price of a half-page ad is $1,825.

Residents of Bunny Creek Road, Ellen Tate and Johnny Cade, brought up the condition of the road and asked the Commission to pave and maintain the road. The Commission assured them that the road would be paved, but that the process of starting the project is slow as getting rights-of-way approved, construction work completed, and bidding takes time. Commissioner Michael Thompson said that currently they were the only ones who had approved the rights-of-way.

Under Departmental Reports, Marengo County Engineer Billy Joe Webb announced that the county has received $250 million from the Rebuild Alabama fund to level and stripe County Road 33. He said the county will be responsible for paying for some of the construction as the funds will not cover the entire three-mile project.

Probate Judge Laurie Hall reported that the approval to eliminate the Office of Constable will be presented by Representative A.J. McCampbell at the next session of the Alabama Legislature.

Other items discussed/approved by the Commission:

• Approved a contract for the use of kitchen facilities at the former National Guard Armory for Create Community LLC/Clayhill Farms and Gardens
• Approved a contract with New Day Ministries who also requested the use of the armory. Services are scheduled for 9 a.m. on Sundays to avoid conflicts with other church services
• Approved designating Chairman Terry Hinton and successors to be the representative for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
• Approved a joint bidding program with the Association of County Commissions of Alabama
• Adopted the Model Policies and Procedures on reporting the use of ARPA funds

The Marengo County Commission meets on the second Tuesdays of each month at 9:00 a.m.