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The Covington County Commission approved several items and discussed possibly holding quarterly meetings at night to increase public participation.

Commissioner Tommy McGaha said he would like the commission to consider expanding its meeting schedule to include one workshop and one meeting each quarter that is later in the day.

“This would give the citizens who have to work to attend our meetings. We could try it for year, which would be four meetings, and see how attendance is. If it’s positive, maybe we could continue to do it,” McGaha said.

Commission Chairman Michael Smith agreed that it would give more people an opportunity to be involved in county government and said they will continue discussions regarding when to begin the nightly meetings and a possible schedule for them so they can be properly advertised.

In other business, the commission approved a project to update audio and video equipment for its chambers. The estimated cost of that project is $11,000 and will be installed by county staff.

The commission gave the sheriff’s office permission to move forward in applying for a Homeland Security grant for the purchase of a UTV or golf cart to be used by school resource officers across the county. The grant does not require local matching funds.

Other items discussed included:

• approving to provide in-kind services to the Opp Head Start program. It was agreed the county will regrade the front entrance of the facility and the county will use the dirt to improve right-of-ways on county roads.

• approving a $3,000 change order for the ongoing courthouse handicap ramp project. The expense is covered through the bid’s contingency fund.

• reversing a prior vote that declared an older paint truck as surplus. The truck will be converted and used as a sandblasting rig for bridge maintenance.

• approving out-of-state travel expense for CCSO investigators to attend training in Meridian, Mississippi, as well as for deputies to attend the funeral of a deputy in Florida.

• announcing that there is a vacancy on the South Central Alabama Mental Health Board. Board members serve six-year terms.

• hearing a report from Revenue Commissioner Church Patterson who reported there is over $286,500 remaining in unpaid property tax. He said this year’s tax lien auction will be held on Friday, May 10.

• an announcement from South Alabama Regional Airport Director Jed Blackwell who reported the airport will receive a $1.5 million grant for taxiway improvements. The airport will provide a 5 percent match for the project.

The commission will hold its next workshop on  Thursday, April 17, 9 a.m., in the chambers of the Covington County Administration Building.