The Macon County Legislative Body met Monday night. Among other actions, it approved a $66,592.95 bid to install the new school locks and front glass enclosures and approved to move forward with the purchase of a weight lifting package for the MCHS football program.

On the school installations (Motion #7), Commissioner Bullington asked for discussion before the motion was approved. He stated that he had had a number of calls from citizens concerned over this expenditure if the schools were not adequately enforcing existing security policies. Ms. Oldham assured the Legislative Body that all policies were being enforced but that a comprehensive review of said policies regarding entrance and access to the schools, student pickup by parents and guardians as well as other activities such as field trips was being conducted.

On the weight lifting package (Motion #8), MCHS Coach Nathan Wilson was present to provide a needed equipment list. The Legislative Body agreed to allow the Mayors’ Office to proceed with getting information on interest rates while the MCHS school will advertise for competitive bids for the equipment.

Other items covered in the February 25 meeting:

The following Notaries Public were approved: Pamela D. Patterson, Terrell Sutton, Jacqueline Whitaker, Alecia Kempf, Walter Andrews, Sherrill Roddy and Jason G. Moore

Motion #1, approved minutes; Legislative Body meeting 01/28/13; Joint Economic Community Development meeting 01/08/13; Loss Control meeting 01/15/13; Macon County Emergency Food & Shelter meeting 12/18/12

Motion #2 approved Budget Amendment #1, Chancery Court

Motion #3 approved Budget Amendment #2, EMS

Motion #4 approved Budget Amendment #4, Highway Department

Motion #5 approve #63-2/2013 Highway Dept. Road List

Motion #6 approved 64-2/2013 Refinance Bond Debt. On this resolution the County will make the payment for the remainder of this fiscal year and re-finance the balance of capital outlay of $3,830,660 at an interest rate of 2.14% thru Macon Bank. The current rate would be 2.79% if left as is. By re-financing the interest rate is locked in for 6 years and saves the County approx.. $25,000 the first year and over the 6 years saves approx. $200,000.

Motion #9 passed, approving the Sheriffs’ Office Budget Amendment #3, less the approval for new cars needed. There was discussion on this since a new problem has come up regarding the need for additional cars for SROs. Originally the Sheriff only needed two additional cars, but recently another car was involved in an incident which resulted in the car being totaled. The insurance covered partial replacement cost of the totaled car but is short about S10,000 toward a new one. The Legislative Body discussed several options, including adding the cost to the monies being borrowed for school installations, paying for them from the general fund, and purchasing the cars with budgeted monies from next year’s car budget now and then decreasing that line item in next year’s budget. Any option may take 6 to 8 weeks, though, and the cars are needed immediately. The Budget Amendment #3 was approved as submitted, less the approval for the cars; further discussion was deemed necessary.

Motion #10 approved accepting the resignations of Mike Goad and Hollis McClard from the Planning Commission.

Motion #11 approved appointment of Jimmy Wheeley and Terry Goad to the Planning Commission

Motion #12 approved acceptance of the EMS Quarterly Report.

Motion #13 approved updating the Drug Free Policy.

Motion #14 postponed discussion and action on request from Julia Burrow, Library Supervisor, to restore funding to previous year allocations in order to maintain the Maintenance of Effort for the library. Mayor Linville has spoken with the State Librarian and Library Board and they are meeting the week of 2/25 to determine what exact dollars are needed and what exactly needs to be done. This motion will be discussed at the next Committee of the Whole meeting after more information is collected.

Meeting adjourned at 7:15 PM.