County OKs employee bonuses

Morgan county employees and their families will have a little extra cash to spend for Christmas thanks to a one-time salary adjustment approved by the county commission at its regular monthly meeting Dec. 14.
The county’s 365 employees, all of whom have completed a six-month probationary period, each received a $100 check at a Christmas breakfast on Dec. 16. The 174 employees of the Sheriff’s Office got the better end of the deal. Each one received a check for $300, which was funded out of one of the sheriff’s discretionary funds.
Separate resolutions were adopted by the commission to authorize the payments, but only after sharp criticism of the disparity was voiced by Terry Naccarato, director of Human resources.
“I am against the sheriff’s employees getting $300 and all other county employees are only receiving $100,” Naccarato said. “I believe that all Morgan County employees are not being treated fairly. The past two years I have opposed this practice to John Glasscock, the former chairman. All employees need to be treated the same in regards to pay, benefits, fringe benefits, promotions, bonuses, etc., regardless of where it is being funded from.”
District 3 Commissioner Don Stisher agreed with Naccarato but said the commission has no authority to tell the sheriff how he can use discretionary funds based on a state attorney general’s opinion.
“We could vote “no” on his request and he could still do it,” Stisher said.
“I, too, believe all employees of the county should be treated the same,” added Commission Chairman Ray Long. “However, if he has legal authority to do it and wants to do it, I don’t think it would be wise for us to override an AG opinion.”
The commission also agreed to hire an architect to evaluate the condition of a warehouse storage building behind the Morgan County Systems of Services (S.O.S.) building. The object is to determine the building is suitable for renovation and use as additional space for S.O.S. and, if not, is the property able to accommodate the construction of a new building without removing the storage building?
Dr. Sara Hall, S.O.S. director, spoke to the need for additional operating space and pointed out that $500,000 is available for construction of a new building.
The commission acted on other matters as follows:
•  Announced the opening of an unexpired term on the North East Morgan County Water and Sewer Board, expiring Feb. 28, 2015. Applications will be accepted and consideration will be given for the appointment at the first regular meeting in January, 2011.
• Passed a resolution designating the Morgan County Work Release Center as the Courthouse Annex.
Approved payment of $6,000 to Charles Sherrod Consultants as a consulting fee for the new Neel Senior Center building in District 2.
• Approved a commercial renewal agreement with TruGreen Chemlawn for lawn care services for the Morgan County Courthouse in the amount of $3,977 annually, effective through November 2011.
• Authorized the chairman to execute an agreement with Dale John Transport Service to transport the human remains in Morgan County to the funeral home and/or the Alabama Department of Forensic Services in Madison County, effective Jan.1, 2011 through Dec. 31, 2011.
• Approved payment of $7,111  to Harris, Caddell and Shanks P.C. for legal services provided during the month of November.
• Authorized the replacement of a manager position and the employment of three substitute manager positions at Falkville Senior Center for the Morgan County Commission on Aging.
• Authorized Probate Judge Greg Cain to fill a court clerk position that was vacated Dec. 10.
• Approved certificates to subdivide and/or consolidate for Reba Hughes Orr, Arlie Cloer Road, District 3, William Jameson Aldredge Jones Estate, Bluff City Road, District 1 and Lenard O. and Annelle B. Brown, Old Six Mile Road, District 4.
• Announced the expiration of a six-year term on the Decatur General Hospital Board, currently held by Nick Roth, and announced the acceptance of applications for the position. Consideration will be given for the appointment at the commission’s first regular meeting in January.
• Amended the Morgan County Parks & Recreation Department’s fiscal 2010-2011 budget in the amount of $10,000 for the maintenance and upkeep of the renovated office build it occupied recently at the District 2 workshop in Hartselle.
• Authorized the sheriff to declare a 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche as surplus vehicle and donate it to Eva Volunteer Fire Department.
• Authorized a $9,500 change order for a new concessions building in North Park for cabinetwork and restroom partition.