Month: February 2018

This is the work session agenda for the Commission meeting 2-26-18.
The Elmore County Commission meets on the 2nd Floor of the Elmore County Courthouse, downtown Wetumpka. Work Session starts at 5:00 p.m. and Commission meeting soon after normally about 6:00 p.m.

If you want to share a thought or have a question on any item please let me know.

Bart

Below is a message from the Elmore County EMA

Be Smart.  Take Part.  Prepare.

2018 Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday Set for

February 23-25,  2018

According to the Alabama Department of Revenue, Alabama will hold its seventh annual Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday, beginning Friday, February 23, 2018 at 12:01 a.m. and ending Sunday, February 25, 2018 at 12 midnight, giving shoppers the opportunity to purchase certain severe weather preparedness items free of state sales tax (local sales tax may apply).

Everyone is encouraged to purchase/restock emergency supplies for their homes, workplaces and vehicles during this three-day tax holiday. Certain emergency preparedness items will be exempt from the state’s 4-percent state sales tax, and in some cities and counties, local taxes are waived on those items as well. Up to a 10-percent savings is possible in some locations.

Elmore County Emergency Management Agency urges everyone to take advantage of the Sales Tax Holiday to make sure you are prepared and protected in any severe weather event.

Of interest to Elmore County citizens: As of February 22, 2018, the following localities are identified as participating in this sales tax holiday:

Autauga County – Yes

Elmore County – Yes

Montgomery County and City of Montgomery – Yes

Town of Coosada – Yes

Town of Eclectic – Yes

City of Millbrook – Yes

City of Tallassee – Yes

City of Wetumpka – Yes

Covered Items –

 $60 or Less Per Item Exempt:

AAA-cell batteries

AA-cell batteries

C-cell batteries

D-cell batteries

6-volt batteries

9-volt batteries

Cellular phone battery

Cellular phone charger

Portable self-powered or battery-powered radio, two-way radios

Weatherband radio or NOAA weather radio

Portable self-powered light source, including battery-powered flashlights

Lanterns, or emergency glow sticks

Tarpaulin

Plastic Sheeting

Plastic drop cloths

Other flexible, water-proof sheeting

Ground anchor system, such as bungee cords or rope, or tie-down kit

Duct tape

Plywood or window film

Other materials specifically designed to protect window coverings

Non-electrical food storage cooler or water storage container

Non-electric can opener

Artificial Ice

Blue ice

Ice packs

Reusable ice

Self-contained first aid kit

Fire extinguisher

Smoke detector

Carbon monoxide detector

Gas or Diesel fuel tank or container

A single purchase with a sales price of $1000 or Less Exempt:

Any portable generator and power cords – used to provide light or communications or preserve food in the event of a power outage.

TAXABLE:

Coin batteries

Automobile and boat batteries

For more information, you may contact the Alabama Department of Revenue at 334-242-1490 OR 866-576-6531. 

You may also contact the Elmore County Emergency Management Agency at 334-567-6451.  

Elmore County Chief Engineer and Operations Officer Richie Beyer recently made a presentation to the Alabama Legislative Infrastructure Committee on the current need for additional funding for County infrastructure in Alabama. The presentation focused on an update to a county needs assessment last completed in 2010 called the “Silent Crisis” which is a very good description of the situation counties face.

One of the major contributors to this lack of funding is the reduced buying power of the current infrastructure funding levels. An analysis preformed in 2010 by the Association of County Engineers of Alabama determined that statewide counties need  $502 million annually to properly resurface/replace county roads and bridges but in this same year $369 million was available, a $133 million shortfall. In 2018 the funding needs for county infrastructure statewide has risen to $559 million, a $190 million shortfall.

These number comparisons assume all county infrastructure dollars will go to county road resurfacing and bridge replacement but in reality spending all funds only on resurfacing and bridge replacement is not possible. These same dollars also need to be spent on the costs associated with right of way mowing, pothole repair, bridges inspections, ditch maintenance, dirt road maintenance and many other vital transportation maintenance needs counties have. When you factor in expenses to fund these other needed maintenance items the shortfall counties face statewide grows from $190 million to $411 million.

In 2012. Alabama implemented the Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program (ATRIP) which resulted in funding made available to counties. For many counties, the amount of federally backed funding individual counties saw equated to 15-20 years of current infrastructure improvement funding levels. The ATRIP program resulted in Elmore county receiving $18 million in road and bridge funding that allowed for improvements to 106 miles of county roads over a three-year period. The reality of this program was that during the past five years the allocation Elmore County was able to expend was less than 60% of the annual investment needed to adequately address road and bridge needs over that same period.

If approved by our state legislature, a program known as ATRIP II would be the funding mechanism that would again serve as a short-term fix to this long-term funding problem.

County roads and bridges are a county’s largest asset. Maintaining that taxpayers’ investment along with providing a safe, smooth transportation system is one of the top priorities.

Bart

(Select slides from Beyer presentation)

Elmore County government office will be closed on Monday, February 19, 2018 in observance of President’s Day

Bart

This is the work session agenda for the Commission meeting 2-12-18.
The Elmore County Commission meets on the 2nd Floor of the Elmore County Courthouse, downtown Wetumpka. Work Session starts at 5:00 p.m. and Commission meeting soon after normally about 6:00 p.m.
If you want to share a thought or have a question on any item please let me know.
Bart

Reminder: County wide cleanup day Today Saturday February 10th

Trucks will be at the locations below from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

The pick-up sites are for residents to bring amounts of trash larger than the normal residential trash container will accommodate.
Limbs smaller than four feet and no more than six inches in diameter will be accepted but it is not designed to accept trash or clean-up debris from contractors. Items such as batteries, appliances, oils and gases, paints or thinners will not be accepted.

These are the pick-up sites for this Saturday:
Coosada  Town Hall
Holtville High School
Elmore County Judicial Complex
CEWSA – Redland Facility
Emerald Mountain Equestrian Center
Kent – Old Highway Department

Any question please let me know.
Bart

Student anglers from across Alabama are at the Pavillion at Lanark tonight attending a pre-tournament meeting. These student anglers will fish Lake Jordan tomorrow and finish with a weigh in at 2:00 at the Wetumpka High School.

The Elmore County Commission is proud to be a part of helping to bring about 125 boats and 400 anglers and parents to Elmore County. I appreciate the Elmore County Economic Department Authority, the Alabama Wildlife Federation and City of Millbrook Mayor Kelley for supporting this great event.

Bart

Below is a Media Release from the Elmore County Economic Development Authority about Elmore County hosting the Alabama Student Anglers Bass Fishing Association on Lake Jordan this weekend.

Thank you to all the sponsors, volunteers and parents that make this event happen and invest their time and resources in our students.

Bart

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: FEBRUARY 8, 2018

Wetumpka-  Elmore County to host a qualifier tournament for the Alabama Student Anglers Bass Fishing Association on Lake Jordan this weekend. The event will launch at Bonner’s Point Boat Landing, 222 Bonners Point Rd., Wetumpka, Saturday morning at safe light (approx. 6:15 am).  Weigh-in, hosted by the Wetumpka High School Bass Fishing Team, will begin shortly after 2:00 pm at the Wetumpka High School, 1251 Coosa River Parkway, Wetumpka.

A Friday night pre-tournament meeting for anglers will be at Lanark, Alabama Wildlife Federation, 3050 Lanark Road, Millbrook starting at 6:30 pm.

The tournament will be aired live on Facebook Live from the ASABFA Facebook Page. Student anglers from across Alabama will participate in the event.

For more information visit the Alabama Student Anglers Bass Fishing Association web site: https://asabfa.com/ or contact Wetumpka High School Bass Fishing Team Coach Barry Corbman at (334) 300-4437 or Elmore County Economic Development Authority Executive Director Leisa Findley at (334) 399-8014.

###

Lake Martin not only adds to the quality of life in Elmore County but it also has a major positive economic impact on our county.

This morning members of the Elmore County Commission, the Elmore County Economic Development Authority and other Elmore County representatives attended the presentation of the Fiscal and Economic Development Impact of Lake Martin study at Central Alabama Community College.

We were presented with information on the huge impact Lake Martin has on Elmore, Tallapoosa and Coosa counties. A high percentage of the total land value in Elmore County is present on the shores of Lake Martin and this equates to a major positive impact on the annual property tax collections for the county.

It is good to be reminded of how blessed we are to live in a community with great natural resources and the positive impact our lakes have on not just Elmore but surrounding counties as well.

Link to 144 page report:

RCLCO_Fiscal_Econ_Impact_LakeMartin_2.08.18

Bart

Reminder: County wide cleanup day is this Saturday February 10th

Trucks will be at the locations below from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

The pick-up sites are for residents to bring amounts of trash larger than the normal residential trash container will accommodate.
Limbs smaller than four feet and no more than six inches in diameter will be accepted but it is not designed to accept trash or clean-up debris from contractors. Items such as batteries, appliances, oils and gases, paints or thinners will not be accepted.

These are the pick-up sites for this Saturday:
Coosada  Town Hall
Holtville High School
Elmore County Judicial Complex
CEWSA – Redland Facility
Emerald Mountain Equestrian Center
Kent – Old Highway Department

Any question please let me know.
Bart