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The Covington County Commission heard from LBWCC President Brock Kelley and approved several items of discussion at a regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday, August 8.

Kelley stated that being the president of LBW was both a privilege and honor.

“I have just completed my third year at LBW. We are laser focused on community outreach and support for everyone in the community and have grown significantly in the past three years. We are looking at over 1,000 dual-enrollment students now, which is 41 percent of our enrollment. That is an extraordinary place to be for our community and community college. We are excited about where we are heading,” he said.

Kelley also thanked the commission for their involvement with paving of the nature trail surrounding the campus.

“It may seem like 1.7 miles of pavement, but it’s more than that to us and the community. That trail serves as an opportunity for parents to get out with kids and kids to learn how to ride bicycles. When I walk around campus, seeing the joy of the people walking that trail and enjoying the fruits of what you committed to speaks volumes about what we have in this community. I look at it as an opportunity for us to get people on campus to learn about LBW and create an awareness of who we are. We thank you from the bottom of our heart at LBW. I invite the entire community up to LBW because we want to be the support mechanism for workforce development and training in this community.”

Dist. 2 commissioner Michael Smith recognized the City of Andalusia for their involvement with the project.

“I appreciate you recognizing the commission, but the City of Andalusia has done a lot out there also. I would like to recognize them for installing lights all the way around. I saw their crew out there working the other day, and it does look nice,” Smith said.

Chairman Greg White said he has been around LBW for the last 30 years and recognized the college’s leadership.

“We have had some good leadership and great staff over the years, but Dr. Kelley’s vision is going to take LBW to the next level. It’s going to pay great dividends for our county as a whole. We appreciate you and your team for all that you’re doing there,” White said.

White introduced Morgan Arrington as the next county attorney. Arrington replaces Stephanie Cotton who resigned to take a position with the Alabama Department of Revenue.

Shannon Wiggins and Matthew McClellan of the Oakey Ridge community addressed the commission about a proposed solar farm project by Origis in their community. To read more about that story, visit https://www.andalusiastarnews.com/2023/08/14/oakey-ridge-residents-speak-out-against-proposed-solar-farm/.

In other business:

• The commission approved a 4-year term for Diane Baugher to serve on the county’s Personnel Review Board.
• The commission approved $500 in contingency funds for a funding request made by Opp City Schools.
• The commission approved $750 in Dist. 1 commissioner Kenneth Northey’s discretionary funds for a funding request made for youth sports in Opp.
• The commission approved a location change in voting places for Babbie and Red Level.
• The commission approved a memorandum of understanding for e-recording in the Probate Judge’s office.
• The commission approved a transfer of a retail liquor license for a new Hilltop restaurant at the Pop’s Place facility located on Highway 84.
• The commission approved an annual contract with the Alabama Department of Youth Services Detention Center.
• The commission considered, but took no action on, a proposal for a preliminary engineering study, at a cost of $9,100 by CDG, related to a sewer service to a proposed economic development site. This matter will be discussed further at the next meeting in September.
• The commission received Sheriff Blake Turman’s request for four additional road deputies. This request will be considered during the budget process for 2023-24.
• The commission approved $6,200 in funding ($3,100 per applicant) for the Sheriff’s Department to send two officers to academy training in Dothan.
• The commission approved the purchase of a Kubota tractor and two Rhino bushhogs for the road department. Additionally, they approved the purchase of respirators and masks at an approximate cost of $70,000.
• The commission approved the purchase of a new GPS tracking system for county vehicles. These products will be purchased through Diversified Computer Products on 36-month contracts.
• The commission approved the solicitation of bids for seed, fertilizer, and paint and reflective beads to be used by the Engineer’s Department.
• The commission announced the implantation of a recently approved new driveway policy. This policy will impact landowners needing new driveway pipes installed on all county roads.
• The commission approved the acquisition of right of way for a paving project in the Engineer’s Department.
• Chairman White announced a reminder of the cancellation of the second meeting for August.

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