Monday, Commissioner Harold Elmore said the county needed to look at an additional county lodging tax. At yesterday’s commission meeting, he suggested that discussion should be delayed until the new commission takes the oath of office next month.

Three seats, including the chairman’s, will be decided in the Nov. 4 general election.

“I know that that money has been designated for recreation purposes,” Elmore said. “I just think that we should wait for the next administration.”

District 1 Commissioner Kent Colquett first brought the matter to the commission’s attention when, during the last meeting, he urged commissioners to seek out additional means of generating revenue. Colquett did not attend Tuesday’s meeting.

Currently, the county collects a 2 percent tax, which generated between $55,000-$60,000 during the 2008 fiscal year.

It would require an action by the state legislature, submitted by the local government, to change the amount of tax collected.

During the remainder of the meeting, it was routine business as commissioners discussed the Cravey Bridge project.

Assistant County Engineer Lynn Rawls said the project is currently underway.

“We’ve started working from the south end out,” Rawls said. “In fact, we plan on drilling for the pilings (Tuesday). It’s not going to be a lengthy project, but it’s going to take some time. We just ask that people be patient.”

In July, the state approved $150,000 to replace the 80-year-old bridge, which allows vehicles to access the area without having to detour more than 15 miles. The bridge has been closed by the state as it undergoes repairs.

In other business, the commission:

ratified the 2009 fiscal year budget to reflect the changes in the amount of ad valorem tax estimated to be collected and the appropriation of those funds.