Staff Writer

County commissioners are still at least a week away from adopting a budget for the 2001-2002 fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.

During the commission’s regular meeting Monday night, County Administrator Mark Tyner said he has "preliminary figures," but still has some work to do before presenting the budget to the commission for approval.

A special meeting of the commission to consider the budget has tentatively been set for Oct. 4.

As part of the meeting, the road department’s FY 2000-01 budget was amended by $333,378, per the request of Herb Huner, county engineer.

Huner said the adjustment is needed "to cover money we’ve already spent."

Money was borrowed to purchase three, instead of two, motor graders.

In other business, the commission:

· Tabled decision on a pest control bid, but accepted bids for metal pipe, concrete, tires and recapped tires, plant mix, cold mix, crushed stone and gravel.

Those goods and services are used by the road department throughout the year.

·Authorized one-step raises for two employees who have reached their anniversary date.

· Gave permission for Tyner and Debra Gibson to attend the Employees Retirement System Agency seminar on Oct. 2 in Enterprise. There is no registration fee for the half-day seminar.

· Gave approval for an "inducement agreement" with Brundidge and authorized the chairman to sign it after it is evaluated by the county attorney.

The action, which is basically a tax abatement, is to help Brundidge with the industry that is expected to announce its intentions later this week.

· Approved signing an Emergency Management Agency grant for safe rooms so the county can receive it’s share of funding.

Pike County EMA Director Larry Davis said 11 applications were picked up by individuals interested, seven were returned and five were offered the partial funding.

Meeksville Fire Department applied for funding in order to provide shelter for a maximum of 30 people. The other five were families.

· Accepted the $8.82 per hour bid for Montgomery Security Services to continue providing security for the courthouse, pending recommendation by the county attorney and Tyner.

Montgomery Security Services was the only bidder and currently has the contract in the amount of $8.82 per hour.

· Heard a request by Haynes Ambulance for a rate increase, which cost the county nothing, but will be passed on to the public who uses the services.

· Transferred authority as the county purchasing agent from Chairman Willie Thomas to Tyner. Thomas was given authority after the former county administrator left. He will continue to act as county purchasing agent on a temporary basis in the event Tyner is absent.

· Agreed to make the final payment of $32,325 on a solid waste loan.

· Approved a request by Lockheed Martin Pike County Operations to use armed and uniformed off-duty deputies for security. Action will be finalized pending recommendation by the county attorney and Tyner and Lockheed providing proof of liability insurance.

· Heard a request for funding by representatives of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pike County, which would like to expand the program to outlying areas of the county.

· Voted not to meet on Oct. 8 because of the Columbus Day holiday.

· Acknowledged the absence of Thomas.