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The Covington County Commission approved several items including the allocation of $1 million to roads and bridges using American Rescue Plan Act funds at its final scheduled meeting of the year Tuesday, Dec. 13.

Sheriff Blake Turman recognized five of his deputies at the meeting. Those deputies were Mike Cheshire, Clay Conway, Zak Wallace, Josh Sullivant, and Kaleb Piland. The deputies were honored for heroism and for going above the call of duty.

The commission also recognized and awarded proclamations to the Andalusia High School football team and cheerleaders for being 4A state champions and the Opp High School cheerleaders for their 3A state championship.

In other business:

• The commission approved an appropriation of $2,500 in contingency funds to Andalusia High School for the 4A state championship related to the team’s travel and trip to Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium.
• The commission approved the purchase of new tasers and software for the Sheriff’s Department at a cost of $108,000 ($2,160 per year) over a five-year period.
• The commission approved the use of $1,000 in discretionary funds for local law enforcement to attend venomous snake training.
• The commission approved the use of $2,000 in contingency funds for the Sheriff’s request to hold a drug awareness program in schools.
• The commission approved a Covington Area Transit System (CATS) contract with the Department of Human Resources.
• The commission approved the hiring of an additional dispatcher/driver for CATS.
• The commission approved a one-time purchase of $7,775 for firewall equipment to be used by the county’s IT department.
• The commission approved the fiscal year 2023 holiday schedule for the county. The county will observe 14 holidays as in past years.
• The commission selected PH&J of Montgomery as an architect for IAC projects.
• The commission approved soliciting bids for bridge components, concrete pipe, curb and gutter, and loader transmission with the Engineer’s department.
• The commission initiated action and took the first step of announcing petitions to close two roads in the Red Level area.

The next meeting of the Covington County Commission will be held Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, 9 a.m., at the Covington County Administration Building. The public is invited to attend.