Commission Notebook: Will Walker Road Bid, New DHR Project & More

Tuscaloosa AL

06 October, 2021

9:48 PM

Description

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Here's a look at the storylines I was watching during Wednesday's regular meeting of the Tuscaloosa County Commission. Click here to subscribe to our free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts. Commissioners unanimously approved awarding a contract bid to ST Bunn Construction for highly-anticipated improvements to Will Walker Road, as Mercedes-Benz U.S. International continues to expand its campus. ST Bunn came in as the low bidder at $142,800 for the contract. Funding for the improvements will be provided through through a Community Development Block Grant, which will only cover the cost of construction and not the engineering associated with the project. Click here for my past reporting on the project. The Commission was informed of the death of longtime Tuscaloosa County License Commissioner Lee Allen Hallman on Oct. 3 at the age of 95. He served as license commissioner from October 1980 until July 2000. Click here to read his obituary in the Tuscaloosa News. Two Tuscaloosa County employees — Melissa Booth and Kris Connell — were honored for their 25 years of service. Assistant County Administrator David Howell presented a measure to the Commission to amend the zip code verification requirements as part of the county's Emergency Rental Assistance Program. The measure, which passed unanimously, is expected to bring the county closer in line to how the state is running its rental assistance program. Howell also commented that demand for the program has accelerated after it was first implemented. County Attorney Robert Spence presented a measure for the county to provide a site for a new building for the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR). The resolution passed unanimously Wednesday authorizes Probate Judge and Commissioner Chair Rob Robertson to negotiate the agreement with DHR by way of a Memorandum of Understanding. Spence was sure to point out that if the project, for whatever reason, fails to move forward after the county has committed financial resources, DHR will cover any costs incurred. The following projects were approved after being presented by District 2 Commissioner Jerry Tingle and will be paid for through discretionary funding in the corresponding amounts: Basketball goals for Miner's Park (6,500); Water fountain for Evans Roshelle Park ($4,245); Adult Swing for Evans Roshelle Park ($1,500). PARA will manage each project after the funding is provided, Tingle said. District 3 Commissioner Mark Nelson saw his own measure approved for discretionary funds, with the Commission voting unanimously to give $11,000 for a concrete walking track around the pre-K playground at Maxwell Elementary. Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at [email protected]