By Carmen Lindsey
News Editor
carmen.lindsey@gaflnews.com
ABBEVILLE — During a called meeting of the Wilcox County Board of Commissioners Tuesday, August 7 board members approved an aggreement between Wilcox County and Middle Georgia Community Action Agency for a cost of $26,040.
The approved 2007-2008 Third Party Operator Agreement for the Operation of the GA DOT Section 5311 Transit System will have a significant influence on mobility in Wilcox County as the funds from the program can be used for capital assistance, operating assistance, planning, and program administration.
Found under the Georgia Department of Transportation’s Rural Public Transportation Programs guidebook, the goals for the Section 5311 program are to serve those persons with the most critical needs for access and mobility, especially those without alternatives, provide service without any trip purpose restrictions or eligibility requirements— including medical, social services, personal shopping, business, and employment trips, and serve all areas witih appropriate levels fo service which are subject to the required local or regional participation.
Pat Ashley from Meeks, Roberts, Ashley, Sumner & Sirmans came before the Board to give the annual audit report. Mr. Ashley stated that the county was in better condition than the previous year. He stated that because of the new laws pertaining to accounting, it was taking more time and expense to conduct an audit.
Wilcox County Agent Kevin Phillips came before the Board to give his report. He stated that the melon crops were finished. Kevin discussed the need to increase the secretary’s salary over the next two years as recommended by the district extension office.
The Board agreed to work toward that goal. He further stated that he had completed his masters degree in agricultural leadership, and the Board congratulated him for this accomplishment.
The Board made a motion to release its certification as a “Local Issuing Authority” status for the Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Ordinance.
The Board reviewed the Local Assistance Road Program (LARP) priority in order to send in a revised one for 2008. Priority #6 (Christian Home Church Rd) was removed since it had been resurfaced this year, and everything else was left in the same order which was: P-1 – Pineview-Pitts Hwy; P-2-Christian Hill Rd (partial); P-3-Harvey Rd; P-4-Copeland Rd; P-5-Hatley Rd.
The Board decided to rescind a motion made in July regarding the appointment of Atheline Rawls, Willie Milling, Billie Jo Milling to the Land Use Ordinance Committee. They left Sandi Guest on the committee.
The Board appointed Linda Wallace to the Land Use Ordinance Committee which includes Kay Saville, Wendall Howell, Lanier Keene, and Sandi Guest.
Board members accepted a bid from Statewide Engineering Company at a cost of $4,000 for each Antioch Church Road and Mt. Zion Church Road. The bid was accepted as part of the city’s soil erosion and sedimentation control plans. Carter & Sloope also bid for the plans at a cost of $5,000 per road.
Mr. Aaron Plumley came before the Board to inquire as to the status of his (R. Smith) Rd. being repaired with better ditching and bigger pipes. The Board informed him that they had several machine breakdowns and that they would get to it as soon as possible.
The bids for the disposal of metal goods were postponed until a called meeting to be held on August 21.
