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The Covington County Commission approved a consent agreement with the State of Alabama to participate in a cyber security grant program at a regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, August 13.

Chairman Greg White said funds are available through a grant program that will be flowing out in the coming months.

“We (the commission) are being asked to sign the consent agreement, which would get us on the list to be eligible for funding. As the particular programs come out requiring a 20 percent match from locals, we would be able to review the funding on a case-by-case basis. Right now, it is just an administrative action to agree to the local consent agreement with the state,” White said.

In other business:

• The commission announced that the proposed per diem policy for county employees is still under review. Further discussions will be made at the next meeting.
• The commission announced three upcoming board appointments for the Florala Airport Authority with the current terms set to expire in September. The commission did not take any action and will have this item on the agenda at a future meeting.
• The commission approved a bid for inmate communications (phones) at the Covington County Jail from Combined Public Communications.
• The commission approved an annual contract with the Alabama Department of Youth Services for one bed dedicated for Covington County residents at the youth diversion center in Dothan. This agreement allows the county to send a troubled child at no cost, but additional beds are the financial responsibility of the commission.
• The commission approved a recommendation for retail beer license (off premises only) for the Family Dollar/Dollar Tree store on Highway 29 near the intersection with Straughn School Road. The commission’s approval will be communicated to the state ABC board.
• The commission approved the donation of an Art Forrester painting to the City of Florala for display in a museum in Florala.
• The commission continued discussion of a K9 with the Sheriff’s Department. No action was taken at the meeting, other than to note on the record that one K9 was de-commissioned.
• The commission approved retroactive approval for out-of-state travel for Sheriff Blake Turman to tour a jail in Flint, Michigan, and two officers to attend training in Texas. The National Sheriff’s Association paid for air travel and lodging; Turman’s request was made to compensate for meals.
• The commission approved declaring three vehicles in the Sheriff’s Department as surplus. These vehicles are a 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe, 1999 Ford Econoline, and a van that will be transferred to the county’s road department.
• The commission approved the solicitation of bids for heavy equipment parts and annual bids for liquid asphalt, seed, and fertilizer in the County Engineer’s Department.
• The commission approved Dist. 2 commissioner Michael Smith’s $2,500 discretionary funds to be used towards road striping.
• The commission adopted a resolution reimbursing capital expenditures made previously, thus transferring the American Rescue Plan Act funds to general funds.

The next meeting of the Covington County Commission will be held Tuesday, August 27, at 9 a.m., at the Covington County Administration Building.