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The Covington County Commission approved new evening meeting times for the second workshop and regular meeting in June, July, and August during their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, June 10.

Dist. 4 Commissioner Tommy McGaha initiated the request for a change in meeting times during the summer months following several requests from the general public. After discussions with fellow commissioners, the proposal was approved by a 3-1 vote. Dist. 1 voted “no,” while Dist. 2, 3, and 4 each voted “yes.”

“It’ll be on a trial basis. Many citizens have asked for a change in meeting times, and I think this will be the best time for them to attend, especially since schools are out,” Chairman Michael Smith said.

Workshops are scheduled for June 19, July 17, and August 21. Regular meetings will take place on June 24, July 22, and August 26. All will begin at 5:30 p.m.

“This change gives citizens an opportunity to attend, and we can evaluate the outcome from there. We’ve heard a lot of complaints about the timing of meetings with many people who work and are unable to be here,” Dist. 3 Commissioner Lynne Holmes said.

Chuck Patterson announced during the meeting that state auditors have completed an audit of all aspects of his office, covering the period from 2017 through 2023.

“It took them about three months to review all billing, collections, and assessments. Everything in the Revenue Commissioner’s office was audited,” Patterson said. “There were no findings whatsoever for those seven years, which is a huge accomplishment. I want to thank my employees and everyone who contributed to this effort.”

Patterson also provided an update on property taxes for the year 2024.

“As of now, everything is balanced. We’ll submit it to the State of Alabama after Chairman Michael Smith and the commission review it next week. It looks like everything is in perfect order for 2024,” he said.

Additionally, Patterson asked the commission to discuss raising the $12,000 threshold for the over-65 exemption with Rep. Matthew Hammett and Sen. Josh Carnley.

“That exemption was set in the 1970s and needs to be updated. We should raise it to $25,000 or whatever figure you believe is appropriate, since $12,000 in 1972 is not equivalent to $12,000 in today’s dollars. We need to push Matthew and Josh to address this through the State of Alabama,” Patterson said.

In other business, the commission:

• Approved a bid of $18,500 from Elite Comfort Systems to replace the air conditioning unit in the County Administration Building. According to Chairman Smith, repairs on the current unit have cost the county more money.
• Declared outdated audiovisual equipment in the Commission Chambers as surplus following the installation of upgraded technology.
• Awarded a bid for courthouse floor restoration to Veterans Cleaning Solutions.
• Approved the purchase of three school resource officer (SRO) vehicles for the Sheriff’s Department at a total cost of $58,180. The vehicles, two 2018 Ford Explorers for $17,860 and $19,660 and one 2024 Ford Explorer at $20,660, will be funded by the Sheriff’s discretionary funds.
• Approved declaring a Honda Odyssey van and a Dodge Ram half-ton truck as surplus in the Sheriff’s Department. Both vehicles will be listed as surplus through GovDeals.
• Approved soliciting bids for a bridge replacement project on Padgett Road at Eden Creek.
• Committed to sharing the $28,138.50 cost of a study on a potential industrial development site in Dist. 4. Covington Electric will pay half, and the county approved covering the other $14,069.25.
• Commissioners also discussed a request from Commissioner Ben Courson to consider a resolution supporting the Opp Board of Education’s bond efforts by affirming the commission will not rescind the one-cent sales tax enacted two administrations ago. The commission agreed to consult legal counsel before taking action on the matter.

The next workshop of the Covington County Commission will be held on Thursday, June 19, and the next meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 24. As noted above, both will now begin at 5:30 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend.