County authorizes Expo master plan

Architect Mark Thacker County residents will now be able to pay their local taxes on-line or with credit cards, thanks to an agreement between Leon County and Pritchard & Abbott, Inc. A 4% fee will be charged the residents if they opt to use the service. The Leon County Commissioners approved the internet processing professional services agreement early in their regular monthly meeting on Thursday, August 27th.

The commissioners were treated to a sample breakfast prior to the meeting, as part of the budget presentation by the Department of Aging and Disability Service’s Home Delivered Meal Program. Leigh Anne Ross and Ronnie Gipson gave a presentation on the state-sponsored "Meals on Wheels" and federal "Home Bound Meals" programs, meal costs and the county's involvement in the DADS program. The commissioners voted to continue the program in the coming year but as of October 1 will no longer serve clients in Madisonville and North Zulch due to the fact that Madison County has not contributed promised funds to support the program. The program's 94 clients will be reduced to 67.

The new Expo Center project, touted as a benefit to the future of the county and especially its youth, was once again on the commissioners' agenda. Architect Mark Thacker presented a proposal to do a master plan for the new Expo Center project, offering his services for the master plan at no cost to the county beyond his travel costs and reimbursables, with architectural services at 6%. Thacker explained his offer: "I've been aware of the concept for this project for many years. It's a project I can strongly support. A lot of the things I lealrned about life and teamwork and citizenship I learned in Ag Science." The commissioners hired Thacker to do a master plan for the Expo Center project.

In other business, the commissioners: - approved a Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance; - considered adopting a district court records archives fee; - authorized Election Official Robin Shafer to consolidate voting precincts for the 2009 Constitution Amendment Election due to an expected light turnout. Going down from 30 machines to 17, Shafer explained, will save the county $3,000.