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The Covington County Commission approved several items of discussion including an annual CATS contract renewal with DHR and a lounge retail liquor application at a regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday, Sept. 12.

The commission approved an annual Covington Area Transit System contract with DHR.

“CATS has a contract with DHR on the state and local level. There are no changes from last year’s contract with the exception of one. Last year, I had to put the amount to be at $2,000 received for services. During the middle of the year, I had to go back and request that amount be $11,000. That’s the only change that has been made since the contract was approved last year. Everything is the same with no major changes,” CATS Director Tami Baxley said.

The commission approved a lounge retail liquor application for Adams Hometown Saloon.

“I saw where it was closed for some time and think they are going to re-open again. We have never had a really big issue with this place. I’m okay with it,” Dist. 1 Commissioner Kenneth Northey said. “The process is that the applicant goes before the ABC board and fills out the application for licenses and background checks. It comes to us as a courtesy,” Chairman Greg White added.

Revenue Commissioner Chuck Patterson announced a reminder that individuals turning 65 before Oct. 1 can visit his office for an over-65 exemption on property taxes.

“You will fill that paperwork out between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31. If there are two people on the deed, whichever one turns 65 first will need to apply,” Patterson said.

In other business:

• The commission announced Tyler Elmore to serve a four-year term on the Personnel Review Board.
• The commission approved retroactive out-of-state travel for the commission to attend a three-day conference in Pensacola. Commission policy states that any out-of-state travel by County officials or employees must be approved by the commission at an open meeting.
• The commission approved the funding for a newly appointed registrar to attend training for the Board of Registrars.
• The commission approved an annual contract renewal for the In-Home Services Department with SARCOA.
• The commission approved an annual contract renewal for Sheriff Blake Turman to assign a deputy for the Town of Sanford.
• The commission approved the solicitation of annual bids for liquid asphalt in the Engineer’s department.
• The commission awarded a bid for seed and fertilizer to Andalusia Farmers Cooperative, Inc., which was the lone bidder.
• The commission reversed a decision to surplus mower max in the Engineer’s department at the request of County Engineer Lynn Ralls.
• The commission approved the distribution of $1,250 in contingency funds from Dist. 4 commissioner Tommy McGaha for school expenses. McGaha gave $1,000 to Red Level School athletics and $250 to the Straughn High School bass fishing team.
• Administrator Karen Sowell announced Covington County was the recipient of County Risk Services, Inc.’s 2023 Liability Leadership Award.

The Covington County Commission will discuss the fiscal year 2024 budget during a workshop on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 9 a.m., at the Covington County Administration Building. The next meeting of the Covington County Commission will be held Tuesday, Sept. 26, 9 a.m. The public is invited to attend both days.