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The Lowndes County Commission met Monday and voted to issue payment towards a bond for the Fort Deposit Industrial Park.

Commissioners voted, 3-2, to issue the payment of $155,773.04 due Feb. 1. Commissioners Joseph Barganier, Dickson Farrior and Fletcher Hayes supported the measure, which was opposed by Commissioners Robert Harris and Charlie King, Jr.

Per a 2003 bond payment agreement with the Town of Fort Deposit, the county is obligated to collect property taxes for the town and remit them as payment on the bond. Commissioners voted to make the payment at their Jan. 16 meeting, but delayed issuance of the funds until tax revenue was reported by Tax Collector Rosalyn Smith’s office.

During discussion before the Jan. 27 vote, Harris lobbied against approving the payment, contending the agreement had never been fully signed. He also suggested the commission had an obligation to support other towns that requested aid at the Jan. 16 meeting.

“Aren’t we under the same obligation to help the other townships as well,” Harris asked.

Attorney David Norton, standing in for County Attorney Prince Chestnutt informed commissioners that was not the case.

“I think what you are obligated to is whatever it says in the bond,” Norton said. “Commissioner Harris is asking, ‘Are we obligated to other boards in our area that need just as much help?’ The answer to that question is no, unless you signed an agreement with them to the same effect.” 

Commissioners also heard a petition from Lowndes County Unincorporated Wastewater Program (LCUWP) President Carmalita Arnold, who wanted to know why the county seemed opposed to supporting the organization with funding. Arnold said the program lacked funding for salaries, a problem she said began with funds and donations given to the organization in its early days after formation, which were not handed over to existing board members.

“If we had received the estimated $300 to $500,000 donated to Lowndes County residents, we would not have asked here for support moving forward,” Arnold said.

Arnold said attempts to regain missing funds had failed and requested the commission’s help. Commissioners approved a unanimous resolution authorizing Chestnut to request information regarding the donations from former LCUWP director Sherry Bradley.

In other business, the commission:

* Appropriated $2,000 for May Fest, $3,045 to the Alabama Historical Association to replace a marker for the Gordonville Water Authority and $1,000 to Life Changing Community Outreach;

* Approved a revision of the county’s personnel policy concerning unauthorized days off during holidays and emergency closings

* Discussed citizen concerns regarding unsafe bonfire gatherings; and

* Heard a request from Mildred Works for support of a county baseball program.

The Lowndes County Commission will hold its next meeting Feb. 10 at 10 a.m.