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The Covington County Commission adopted resolutions for the closure of five roads and approved vehicles for the Sheriff’s Department and EMA offices at a regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 8.

Resolutions were adopted for road closures on Perry Road, Toucan Road, Jackson Road, Starflower Road, and HD Wilson Road as presented. Public hearings for these closures were held during previous meetings with notices published in the Star-News.

“Each resolution contains a description of each road, which is basically what I advertised for the project. There is also a latitude and longitude listed for the beginning and end of each road,” County Engineer Lynn Ralls said.

Additionally, the commission approved professional services from TG Ernest to work on three flat bridges within the county.

“This agreement will be for cultural resource assessments. We have to do federal funding for these flat bridges with a total contract fee of $6,526 for the three bridges. We are still waiting on some geo-tech work for some of these bridges but will start as soon as all of this comes together,” Ralls added.

Ralls updated the commission related to American Rescue Plan Act-funded projects and said that shoulder work on Pinewood Road was completed with widening and leveling of Nalls Road and Boggan Level Road also completed. A triple surface treatment is planned for both roads.

In other business:

• The commission approved out-of-state travel for the Sheriff’s Department to send Captain Alan Siler to a free training for Southern Software Company in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The commission approved covering the cost of travel, hotel, and meal expenses. Commission policy states that any out-of-state travel by County officials or employees must be approved by the commission at an open meeting.
• The commission approved the purchase of three vehicles for the Sheriff’s Department, which include a Ford Maverick at a price of $29,770 funded by law enforcement funds and two Patrol F-150 Responders at a price of $46,862 each funded by the general fund.
• The commission approved the purchase of a Ford F-150 truck for the Covington County EMA office at a cost of $53,891 and the transfer of a Ford F-150 from the EMA office to the county’s maintenance department.
• Communications Director Kyle Adams discussed the need for digital billboard advertisements in Andalusia and Opp. The commission approved a 12-month contract with Compass Signs at a price of $9,600.

The next meeting of the Covington County Commission will be held Tuesday, Oct. 22, at 9 a.m., at the Covington County Administration Building. The public is invited to attend.