During the recent Martin County Commission meeting, commissioners handled several issues.
Bridge Repair Funding: The commissioners discussed a $80,000 repair to Bridge 44, citing complications with insurance and a lengthy process involving the trucking company responsible for damages. Commissioners suggested delaying payment to allow more time for insurance to handle the costs.
USG Tax Abatement: The commission reviewed a $7.9 million tax abatement for the United States Gypsum (USG) mine. Following legal requirements for public notice, the commission confirmed no objections were filed. The tax abatement was unanimously approved.
Probation Department Staffing: The commission also considered a request from the local judge for a full-time probation officer. The position had previously been filled by a part-time case manager who left for a better opportunity. Members expressed concerns about whether the department’s supplemental fund, derived from probation fees, can sustain the salary of a new PO. If they hire a PO, the case manager role, which was previously budgeted at $36,000, would likely be eliminated or its funding reallocated to the new position.
The commission addressed funding overtime for dispatch due to understaffing and briefly discussed the importance of exit interviews to understand why employees leave, with a focus on factors beyond salary. The commissioners considered allocating $3,000 from opioid funds to support a school program but would finalize the decision in the next meeting. Reminders were given for the next special meeting on the Shoals Library and for courthouse closures on Veterans Day and Thanksgiving.
