County to AG: We need revenue
Published 5:57 am Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Escambia County’s County Commission voted Thursday to explore ways to generate more revenue for the county.
Commissioner Larry White asked the commission if they would consider to add to the agenda to seek a reinvestment of funds.
“I would like for us to ask the Attorney General’s opinion on other avenues of investment,” White said. “We don’t get a lot of income from our current investments.”
White suggested asking what other counties do to bolster the county coffers.
“I just would like to see if we could ask for an opinion to see what other resources we could look at to get more money for the county,” he said. “Can we do something other than CD or trust fund?”
However, CDs – or certificates of deposit – do generate some revenue for the county, commissioners agreed.
On Monday, the group elected to rebid two CDs of funds from the county’s oil and gas trust fund.
Christy Black, a banker with the Brewton Trustmark, presented the commission with four options; however, commissioners voted to reject the proposals, which began at a six-month period.
“We would rather go with a three-month maturity than a six-month,” Chairman David Stokes said. By reducing the time period, it allows the commission to take advantage of chaning interest rates.
In other business, the commission:
• voted to close the last .45 miles of Woods Road in Atmore;
• approved a resolution for a countywide day of recognition for national service for Ameri Corp and Senior Corp.
• amended the personnel policy and procedure policy to clarify the county’s annual sick leave and personal leave policy.
• establish an heavy equipment operator II positions within the county engineer’s department; and,
• designated April 18-25 as Earth Week. Garbage bags are available to anyone wanting to pick up garbageby calling 867-0208 or 867-0236 or any commissioner.