Jackson County Commission Work Session February 5, 2018 - 2 Part Video Presentation, Important Issues Discussed

Mr. Harold Prince complains about speed bumps, and requests their removal, placed on Sara Laine in Stevenson; Mr. Prince claims the speed bumps are outside of Stevenson City Limits and on county controlled roads. The Commission stated they will investigate and discuss the situation with Stevenson City officials.

Mr. Bill Payne of Bridgeport, along with other Bridgeport City Officials, requests that a County Probate and Revenue satellite office be located in a building which is yet to be built. County Officials stated that a satellite office would need to be funded and would be investigated as to a practical future plan. 

County Jail and Sheriffs Department Officials make the 3rd presentation, the first being in 2013, regarding computer equipment improvements, specifically relating to fingerprinting equipment. This request was submitted in July of 2017. System upgrades will now cost near a thousand dollars more over last year. System upgrade costs are approximately $18,000. Software expenses and repairs for the obsolete system has increased substantially. There will also be a $500 reinstatement fee for the software service. Fingerprinting services are required for several background checks including ATF Firearm licenses, teachers, child care workers, postal workers and other agencies requiring background checks.

AGENDA

VIDEOS

Part 1 with Citizen Comments

Proposal to open satellite Probate and Revenue office in Bridgeport originating from public officials in Bridgeport. 3rd request from Sheriffs Department for update of fingerprint machine and software upgrades. First request goes back to 2013 when Sheriff Phillips requested computer upgrades for jail. The last request for the upgrades prior to today was July 2017.

VIDEO
Part 2
County Park contracts with restaurant and tackle shop/boat rental businesses discussed, plus other issues.

Jackson County Commission in Bridgeport, Public Hearing on Annexation; Mr. Hodges Seeks Options Regarding Second Job and Commission Chair Position - July 10, 2017

Jackson County Commission Chair Matthew Hodges addresses citizens at the Bridgeport Community Center regarding a request to annex parts of County Road 75 into Bridgeport. Photo by G. Morgan

Jackson County Commission Chair and Second Job - Options

Jackson County Commission Chair seeks options regarding his second job and elected position. Commissioners have mixed emotions about the situation. Will an Attorney Generals opinion be forthcoming? What do the commissioners have to say about Mr. Hodges' actions? One Commissioner did state that he thought Mr. Hodges' actions brings discredit to the commission. The full Jackson County Commission will have to vote on the issue and decide what question(s) to send to the Alabama Attorney General.  Mr. Hodges declined an opportunity for a video interview at his office earlier in the day regarding this issue.

The Special Act creating the Jackson County Commission Chair job, Act 392, approved August 26, 1953 has this to say about the Commission chair's time: "Section 8 ...Chairman of the board shall be required to give his entire time and attention to the business of the board..." A copy of the law and the WAFF News Story may be found at the WAFF site link:July 5, 2017 WAFF News article:  http://www.waff.com/story/35819237/residents-question-jackson-co-commission-chairmans-acceptance-of-2nd-job#.WV6HY5YL-9E.facebook

Alabama Ethics Laws Handbook for Public Officials may be found at -  http://ethics.alabama.gov/docs/GuidelinesPublicOfficialsEmployees7-2012.pdf
The Conflict of Interest law has this to say - Section 36-25-1 states:
"(8) CONFLICT OF INTEREST. "A conflict of interest involves any action, inaction, or decision by a public official or public
employee in the discharge of his or her official duties which would materially affect his or her financial interest..." His failing to fulfil his full time commitment as an elected official ("Section 8 ...Chairman of the board shall be required to give his entire time and attention to the business of the board...") while employed in another full time job, in my opinion, may be a conflict of interest. Mr. Hodges as the Chair of the Commission is the decision maker, him taking off of work for a financial gain at another job reeks of a conflict of interest.

Video of Citizen's Listening Session About Expansion of Bridgeport City Limits