The Cherokee County Commission, in a recent meeting, awarded a bid of $282,400 to Hokes Bluff Construction Co. for the Leesburg Water and Sewer Improvements for the PEMCO Expansion. Hokes Bluff was the apparent low bidder. The bid included the Base Bid and Alternates A, B and D.



During the work session prior to the regular meeting, Cherokee County Administrator Tim Burgess suggested that the commission schedule at least three budget hearings prior to the work sessions and regular sessions during the next three meetings.



The work sessions begin an hour prior to the regular sessions and the budget hearings would begin an hour before that.



This year, Burgess said he would like to have the department heads meet with the commission to discuss their needs for the upcoming year.

Law now requires that governing bodies like the county commission approve their budgets by Oct. 1, Burgess said.



The commission also approved a request from the Cherokee County Highway Department to hire Steven Crane for highway maintenance technician at a rate of $7.78 per hour.



In other business, the commission:



-Accepted the resignation of Elizabeth Stafford from the Coosa Valley Youth Services Board and voted to announce board appointment Sept. 24, to complete the term.

-Approved Northeast Alabama Traffic Safety Agreement for overtime funds and permission for chairman to sign agreement.



-Nominated three people to serve on the Cherokee County Board of Equalization as provided by Section 40-3-2, Code of Alabama 1975. The commission appointed Gaines Brewer, Keith Day and Larry Paul Maddox.



-Authorized a change order on Cherokee County Courthouse telephone system to include Trisys Tapit EX Call Accounting system in the amount of $1,097.10. According to Burgess, the county was unable to charge each individual department for their telephone usage with the former contract and the additional $1,097.10 will enable the county to take care of this. The county can pay for the extra cost in one lump sum or pay it monthly, Burgess said.

-Approved the transfer of county employee Tammy Esparza to the motor vehicle office from the Cherokee county Detention Center. This is another position that recently became open because of a resignation and not the current posted position being vacated because of a retirement. The county has received 75 applications for this posted position