MOUNT IDA -- The paperwork for Title II federal funds from the U.S. Forest Service has been completed, and county personnel who maintain the parks will get back to work once funds are available, County Judge Alvin Black said.
A large portion of Montgomery County is federal land, and the county receives federal funds to offset the lack of revenue from real property taxes. Black said it is an ongoing battle for counties across the country that receive federal funds, which can be as much as 25 percent of a county's budget.
"Our three park maintenance employees have been laid off since February. We are due to get $170,000 to be used for recreation maintenance, and we'll put them back to work cleaning up these areas. Their neglect is noticeable. This funding should last us until December 2015," Black said.
Black said that some FEMA funds that have been received will go to help chip and seal an extra 2-mile stretch of Logan Gap Road. The FEMA funds come into play to fix a bridge that is subject to flood damage at times.
"We recently completed our summer chip-and-seal paving program and were able to reseal about 8 miles of roads using $200,000 that was funded to us by the state. We did some resealing along Crestwood in an area that had failed and was filled in with gravel for the last six months. I appreciate the patience the residents on that road have given us as we worked to get funds together. We also did a 1-mile section of Slate Mill Road that connected it to Mountain View Road," Black said.
At last week's quorum court meeting, Black reported the justices heard a quarter report from the Montgomery County Library, including the fact that six public access computers are in heavy use every day.
The quorum court also approved an ordinance to do business with Gary Fox, a part-time county employee who teaches CPR classes.
"This is required by law, and Gary gives our first responders a refresher course as required to maintain certification," Black said.
Montgomery County is currently seeking bids to install a trash collection facility on Pump Station Road in the portion of the county closest to Glenwood.
"The bids will be opened Sept. 11. Last fall we bid it out, and the low bid was $180,000, which was too expensive for us. We've made some adjustments on the specifications and hope we can get it lowered somewhat. We have $50,000 in grant money with another $50,000 grant due in about the time we open bids. We also have some money budgeted for the facility, so we hope we can move forward with this," Black said.
The facility would be collections for household garbage and recyclables and would be open one day a week. Commercial haulers would still have to go to the facility near Norman, Black said.
Garland Co. West on 08/21/2014