As a continuation from the tabled conversation during the Newton County Board of Supervisors meeting on March 18, the supervisors discussed the ownership and maintenance of the weather sirens during their April 5 meeting.
During the March 18 meeting, the supervisors decided that it was unclear as to who owned the sirens and was responsible for the maintenance. It was decided that the conversation would continue at their April 5 meeting in order to find documentation that states who exactly the responsible party is.
In order to do so, Chancery Clerk George Hayes was able to find documentation that stated Newton County would be responsible for the maintenance.
If the county were to repair the sirens, it would cost $1,000 just to get them looked at to see what exactly needs to be repaired.
Before they are examined for repairs, the supervisors decided that each of the sirens would be tested in order to determine which sirens need to be looked at.
Another big discussion point during the meeting was the money that Newton County will be receiving from the CARES Act. A part of the American Rescue Plan Act President Joe Biden signed into law in March, State and Local Coronavirus Fiscal Recovery Funds legislation will allocate a set amount to each county and parish in the country. The county will be given half of the total amount this year, and the other half will be allocated one year after the first half is received.
Although the county will be receiving a check for the money in the next 60 days, the supervisors still do not know what they will be allowed to spend the money on. Due to this, the board decided to keep it in the bank once the money has come in until they are given the parameters around exactly how and what they can spend the money on. Supervisor Kenneth Harris of Beat 1 said that they may be able to use some of the money for repairs on roads and bridges in the county.
In order to prepare to receive the money, the board members voted to authorize Board President Jacky Johnson to sign for the check to be deposited once it arrives.
