The county commission discussed in detail entering into a “memorandum of understanding” with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to establish a pay plan to potentially do work on the land in a wildlife area in southeast Covington County.

County Engineer Lynn Rawls said the rates in place previously were out of date.

County Attorney Stephanie Cotton raised a few concerns with the wording of the MOU.

She suggested that the county make it clear that work on the DCNR roads would not take precedence over county business and county roadwork.

She also suggested the contract be good for one year as opposed to two.

Rawls said it was no different than the MOUs the county has with smaller town in the county to help maintain their roads.

Commission Chairman Greg White said he thought it was good because DCNR owns a good bit of acreage and their roads could be used in the event of natural disaster.

“Maybe our roads are cut off, we could use theirs,” he said. “We don’t want to wait until the occurrence.”

White said it is common for commissions to have standing contracts.

White said it likely wouldn’t change if the county was able to do the work for DCNR.

Commissioner Joe Barton said the county has the option not to do the work.

Commissioner Kyle Adams said after the meeting that he didn’t feel it was a good idea since county employees don’t have time to complete all the needed work on the county’s roads.