During the Monday, Feb. 11, planning session of the Cherokee County Commission meeting representatives from the Sheriff’s Office displayed some new equipment recently purchased by the Commissioners. The Sheriff’s Department expressed their appreciation and demonstrated how the new equipment would be used.

Carolyn Landrem from Weiss Lake Improvement Association updated the commission on the projects and activities including future events that take place to keep Weiss Lake clean and beautiful.

She emphasized the PALS program to remain in place this year and in years past.

The regular meeting was called to order with all County Commissioners present. The opening Pledge of Allegiance was led by Eli Miller from Boy Scout Troup 4247 and the Invocation by Rev. Eddie Nation who is the new Pastor of the Centre First Baptist Church.

Brian Hale, of the Alabama Department of Public Health spoke to the Commission about sewage holding tanks.

Chairman Day asked that the Department would ensure that the tanks were secured in the unlikely event of a major flood.

Several appointments were made by the Commission including the appointment of Ronnie Rogers to the Cherokee County Industrial Development Authority for a term ending Jan. 31, 2019.

Harry Moon and Kevin Ware were appointed to the Cherokee County Communications Board (E-911) for a term ending Jan. 31, 2017. The Cherokee County Public Library Board appointments will be made at the Feb. 25, 2013 regular meeting. Submittal of resumes, letters, etc. will be accepted thru Wednesday February 20, 2013.

The Commissioners approved three resurfacing and traffic strip projects as presented by County Engineer Corey Chambers. These projects include County Road 29 from County Road 12 for 8 miles to the intersection of U.S. 411.

Also approved was the project on County Road 15 from County Road 259 for 3.7 miles to the Alabama/Georgia state line.

The last of these is the project on county Road 147 from County Road 44 for 1.7 miles to the intersection of Alabama 273.

They also approved to increase the paving cost that is included in the Cherokee County Road Acceptance Criteria from the current price of $4 per square yard to $6 per square yard.

In personnel matters the Commission voted to promote Elaine Henry as Library Director and grant a two-step promotion wage increase; establish Probate Office Manager’s position and promoted Rita Stover to this position with a two-step promotion wage increase; approved the appointment by the Probate Judge of Renee Gossett to the position of Probate Chief Clerk with a four-step salary increase; approved the promotion of Matt Peek to the position of Investigator with the Sheriff’s Department with a two-step promotion wage increase; approved to change Tony Parker as Deputy Sheriff assigned to the jail and provide funds for this certification.

In other business the Commission:

-Lowered the speed limit on County Road 28 from 45 miles per hour to 35 miles per hour.

-Approved request for special funds including a transfer of $5,000 from District 1 Tobacco Tax to Rainy Day Fund; $2,500 per Commissioner to the Weiss Lake Improvement Association; $500 per Commissioner to the SADD program.

-Approved Blue Cross Blue Shield as the Health Insurance Provider for March 1, 2013 thru Feb. 28, 2014.

-Renewed agreement with TAMCO for Courthouse phone system at a 50 percent reduction of current equipment monthly payment.

-Approved the Ad Valorem tax for the year 2013 calculated as 42 mils for county and state and 5 mils for municipal for a total of 47 mils which is no increase from 2012

-Approved a $22,522 FEMA grant to update the weather alert sirens with the county being responsible for a 25 percent match.

-Announced the appointment of a Cherokee County Water Sewer Authority board member to be made on March 11, 2013

The next regular meeting will be held on Feb. 25 at 5 p.m.