During the regularly scheduled meeting of the Covington County Commission, the commission agreed to enter into an agreement with the Alabama High School Rodeo Association and other municipalities in Covington County to host the 2004 State Finals of the rodeo association.

District 2 Commissioner Bragg Carter presented the commission with the contract for consideration - which was unanimously agreed upon by the commission.

"This could have a major economic impact on Covington County," Carter said. "There's going to be over 300 young people participating in this rodeo, plus their parents and supporters."

"This is a big opportunity for Covington County," said Commission Chairman Greg White. "The commitment locally is approximately $30,000 Š but our costs will be funded by revenue from rent of the facility, concessions from vendors Š It is a big opportunity for Covington County, and the first of what we hope will be many years of partnership with the High School Rodeo Association."

The commission also opened bids that were announced at a previous meeting for a large format copier for the Reappraisal Department. The copier bid was awarded to Copy Products Company over Bay Area Blueprints - the only two submitting bids.

After a brief recess to discuss the bids further and clarify components of each bid, the commission then awarded the bid to Copy Products. The bid, which totaled $29,448.24, edged out the Bay Area bid which was $29,470.

In other business, the commission agreed to enter into a loan agreement with SouthTrust Bank for a $260,000 temporary loan to offset any potential revenue shortfalls that could arise at the conclusion of this fiscal year, according to County Administrator Brenda Petty.

"This is done just about every year," Petty said, "to make up for anticipated shortfalls in revenue. The loan is at a 2.48 percent fixed rate."

Petty said the loan would also be repaid in full by February 1, 2004 - as specified by the Code of Alabama.

The commission also renewed County Engineer Darren Capps employment contract for another two years under the same terms as his current contract - which clarification of verbiage that deals with the automatic renewal of the contract on a yearly basis.

The commission also reappointed Ethel Robertson and Dr. William Davidson to the Covington County Department of Human Resources Board and agreed to table a request from Florala High School's agriculture department for a tractor the county had declared surplus.

The department hopes the county can assist them with the tractor in order to help the new turf management program at the school. The commission decided to wait until the next commission meeting before taking any action on the matter.

The commission also agreed to request bids for fuel for the upcoming fiscal year.