Commission to review draft policies

The Lee County Commission agreed to reviewing a draft manual of its own non-personnel policies and consider voting to approve the manual at a future meeting.

The county administrator said he didn’t want to make things too complicated.

“What I wanted to do was establish a starting point,” said Lee County Administrator Roger Rendleman. “Look over the recommendations and if you agree to them, make those changes. We are trying not to add any more at this time.”

Rendleman first researched and compiled policies related to personnel and presented those revised personnel policies and procedures for adoption by the commission in November 2004. He said the policies and procedures are continually reviewed and adjustments will be presented at future meetings for approval.

Commission chairman Bill English suggested that the manual be put on the agenda in 30 days so everyone can come prepared to make comments and, if things go too long, they can hold a work session.

Wendy Swan told commissioners that five of the six local bills being considered during this year’s Legislative session for Lee County did pass.

Swan said the local bill that was the county’s revenue initiative didn’t make it out of either the House or Senate committees.

She said legislators made two changes to the bill presented to them related to the chair of the commission. “Full-time” was changed to “part-time” by legislators and they changed the salary to be $10,000 higher than commissioners’ salary instead of “the higher of the Judge of Probate or Revenue Commissioner.”

The legislation calls for a “yes/no” proposition on the November 2008 general election ballot to decide if Lee County voters want to change the structure of their county government and elect a “part-time” chairman during the 2010 general election to serve a four-year term.

Members appointed Lee County Engineer Neal Hall to serve as the county license inspector in matters related to enforcing the county’s subdivision regulations.

In other business, members heard from District 2’s Johnny Lawrence about the recent Algae Fuel Summit at Eastwood Christian School.

Headmaster David James talked to commissioners about Lee County becoming involved in a plant which can produce two types of diesel fuel as well as gasoline from algae and other renewable plant material like trees for about $1.90 a gallon. There is a pilot plant being built near Mobile that James said will open next week.

After the presentation and questions, members took no action on any alternative fuel related projects.

Members did:

- approve travel for two commission-related conferences this summer,

- approve an ad in the Alabama National Fair program at a cost of $125,

- approve the annual final report of error, litigations and insolvencies on the state portion of taxes presented by Lee County Revenue Commissioner Oline Price,

- rejecting all bids for tactical vests for the SWAT team.

English announced a vacancy on the Lee County Recreation Board. Individuals interested in serving should contact the commission office in the Lee County Courthouse.