Marion County Commission meets Monday, recognizes Childers for ACCA certificate

HAMILTON — The Marion County Board of Commissioners met on Monday morning, Aug. 26.
Lisa Childers was recognized for receiving the ACCA (Association of County Commissions of Alabama) Certificate in county administration.
“This is a huge accomplishment for an employee,” said commission chairman Kenneth Cochran. “This is a big accomplishment to get this. You had to put up with a lot of boring classes.”
Childers was then recognized with a certificate.
- Tom Wisemiller with the Northwest Alabama Economic Development Alliance (EDA, also known as C3) spoke to commissioners about ongoing efforts to draw industry to the area;
- The commission voted to create an Emergency Management Services board, made up of Interim EMA Director Blake Farley, County Sheriff Kevin Williams and various representatives from EMS services, 9-1-1, hospitals in the county and the county commission itself;
- Todd Key was hired as a sheriff’s deputy with his pay to be determined based on his experience and the county’s established pay scale;
- Cynthia Tidwell with the Marion County Revenue Commissioner’s office was hired for $14.75;
- The fiscal year 2025 county transportation plan was approved, with County Highway 11 in the sights to be improved from County Highway 35 up to County Highway 17, but could be amended if needed;
- The commission approved seeking grant funds to improve Marion County Rankin-Fite Airport with runway maintenance;
- The commission voted with one opposed to enter a six-month contract with Tricia Galbreath to assist with reconciliations for fiscal years 2020-21;
- Brenda Real spoke on behalf of Marion County Soil and Water, requesting an increase in funding to $15,000 to go toward uses like education and securing federal dollars for use in the county.