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The Covington County Commission approved a 2024 holiday schedule and announced a one-time pay supplement for county employees at a regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday, Nov. 14.

Under the 2024 holiday schedule, county employees will be paid for 14 holidays in the coming year. This falls in line with the holiday schedule as in previous years. Additionally, the commission approved a one-time pay supplement for county employees. With the approval of this budget amendment of $85,000, full-time employees will receive $500 and part-time employees will receive $250 in a one-time supplement. The payments are expected to be made shortly following the Thanksgiving holidays.

The commission discussed the adoption of Amendment 909 policies and procedures.

“We are looking at an option that will allow the commission to recognize employees in an appropriate manner, such as hosting an appreciation luncheon,” Administrator Karen Sowell said.

According to County Attorney Morgan Arrington, legal process requires the commission to discuss their consideration and possible adoption of the amendment in a meeting prior to adoption. This item will be on the agenda for the December meeting.
“You have a program that would be authorized under the law today. If it aligns with what your wishes are, you would be sharing with everyone today that this is what you would like to adopt at your next meeting. Prior to this constitutional amendment being passed a few years ago, the county was restricted from honoring its employees by purchasing lunches, plaques, or anything like that. This opens the door to recognize your employees however you desire whether that’s longevity or through pins, plaques, and even lunch,” Arrington said.

Chairman Greg White said the commission’s focus at this time is allowing the commission to hold a luncheon for county employees. No action was taken at the meeting.

The commission heard updates from Sheriff Blake Turman on the county’s K-9 policies. The Sheriff requested to add a fourth dog. The commission voted 2-1 in favor of approving a dog with Dist. 2 commissioner Michael Smith and Dist. 4 commissioner Tommy McGaha saying yes. Dist. 3 commissioner Lynne Holmes opposed, and Dist. 1 commissioner Kenneth Northey was absent from the meeting.

In other business:

• The commission discussed additional board appointments for the Personnel Review Board. No action was taken at the meeting, but additional discussion will be made at the next meeting.
• The commission discussed out-of-state travel for the Sheriff’s Department. No action was taken, and additional discussion will be made at the next meeting.
• The commission unanimously approved a restaurant retail liquor license for Hilltop Restaurant and owner-operator Jimmy Adam Turner.
• The commission adopted a resolution authorizing a joint Alabama transportation rehabilitation and improvement program application with the City of Andalusia. This project is located at the intersection of Brooklyn Road, South Three Notch Street, and West Bypass near Fletcher’s.
• The commission approved the awarding of a bid for bituminous surface treatment to S&C Materials and Paving Inc., which was the lone bidder.
• The commission approved the awarding of a bid for hot asphalt plant mix to Wiregrass Construction Inc., which was the lone bidder.
• The commission approved the awarding of a bid for local lime base to CR Pate Logging, which was the lone bidder.
• The commission approved a request from the Engineer’s Department to change the disposal method on an item previously declared as surplus. The item in question will be listed on a GovDeals auction with a reserve price of $110,000.

The next meeting of the Covington County Commission will be held Tuesday, Dec. 12, 9 a.m., at the Covington County Administration Building. The public is invited to attend.