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The Decatur County Commissioners met for their first meeting of the month on Tuesday morning. Following the invocation and pledge, the commissioners approved the agenda, though they voted to dissolve item nine, which was considering approval of a maintenance easement for the airport, and replaced it with an executive session regarding litigation.

Following the approval of minutes from the previous meeting, the commissioners entered into a public hearing regarding a community development block grant (CDBG). According to county administrator Alan Thomas, the county intends to apply for a CDBG, which will be used for street and drainage improvements. No members of the public spoke on the matter.

Following this, the commissioners considered the approval of an application for the CDBG previously discussed, which they voted to do.

Next on the agenda, the commissioners considered approval of a recipient-subrecipient agreement in regards to a FEMA hazard mitigation grant grant program. Following Hurricane Michael, FEMA offered grant funding to purchase generators for critical facilities. The county only learned last week that they have been awarded the grant, enough for six generators. The commissioners voted to approve the agreement.

The commissioners then considered a bid and contract award for a runway rehabilitation project, with the lowest bid being $3,870,842.25. The commissioners approved the lowest bid.

Next, the commissioners voted on a recommendation for a new EMS provider, having previously interviewed the top candidates in a work session. Survival Flight EMS was the recommended candidate, with the commissioners voting to approve.

After this, the commissioners voted eliminate future abatements for solar energy projects; according to Alan Thomas, this will not affect any solar projects currently in operation, only new projects gong forward.Those projects currently in development have 24 months to become operational. The commissioners voted to approve the resolution, with Commissioner Rusty Davis abstaining from the vote.

Next, the commissioners approved a lease agreement for Horseshoe Bend Park.

Lastly, the commissioners approved bids for a wheel loader and motor grader, with the approved bids being $250,593, with a guaranteed 5-year buyback of $135,000, for the wheel loader, and a bid of $353,514 with a 5-year buyback of $135,000 for the motor grader.

Following the bids, it was brought to the commissioner’s attention that their attorney was unable to attend the morning’s meeting, meaning they could not enter into executive session as previously voted on at the start of the meeting.

Following this the commissioners gave their closing remarks, and the meeting was adjourned.