The County Commission Monday chose to amend the FY-2001 budget, adding $7,000 for use by the Georgiana Police Department in placing an officer on the 2nd Judicial Drug Task Force.

This came in response to a request by Georgiana Police Chief James Blackmon for assistance from the County for the appointment.

The lone dissenting vote came from Commissioner Jesse McWilliams.

"I think we need to have more information before we can make such a commitment," McWilliams said.

Venis Longmire offered to donate $3,000 for the expense, although the Commission did not recognize her.

In other matters, the Commission appointed Ruby Shambray to the Board of the Department of Human Resources, at the request of DHR Director Bush.

A resolution was passed to write a letter of support for Emergency Management Agency (EMA) bills currently in legislature.

The Commission tabled the matter of approving the Sheriff's request for a five-percent increase in pay for Jailers Robert Harper and Eric Carter, citing they needed to be sure that all other correctional officer graduates had received the increase.

A request from Probate Judge MacDonald Russell was approved to pay for the preparation of voter lists to be run twice preceding the special lottery election held on Oct. 12, 1999.

Approved the minutes of the meeting of Mar. 12.

Agreed to write a letter of endorsement for Venis Longmire in her attempt to secure a grant for the use of a building.

The Commission agreed to allow the Sheriff to furnish prisoners for labor in cutting the lawns at the Butler County Health Department.

Regarding complaints from the Sheriff regarding the lack of service by the cleaning company at the Courthouse, the Commission agreed to inform the company to either make arrangements to clean the Sheriff's office during business hours, or they would be replaced.

The Commission approved the sale of a dump truck to the Town of McKenzie for the amount of $10, and reported that they had not received any bids for the sale of the van used by the Sheriff's Office for prisoner work crew transportation.

Commission Chairman Hanks asked for action by the Commissioners for the spending of up to $1,000 each for the County's Volunteer Fire Departments in the form of fill dirt, etc. for their fire stations. This came in the form of a motion from Commissioners Hendrix and McWilliams, and passed unanimously.

Commissioners McWilliams and Robinson motioned to approve the payment of the County's monthly bills.

In closing Commissioner comments, McWilliams made a motion to adopt and not yet implement the Policy and Procedure Manual.

Commissioner Phillips, who added that there had been some changes proposed prior to implementation, seconded this.

"For one thing the alcohol and drug policy will not be included as it was written-this needs to covered in much greater detail," Phillips said.

The motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner McWilliams made a motion to keep all committee appointments as they were in the previous administration, including McWilliams and Phillips taking on the tasks vacated by their respective predecessors. This was seconded by Robinson, and passed unanimously.

McWilliams asked for the continued support of the upcoming school tax referendum vote.

Commission Robinson presented a plaque to Mrs. Tommy Tillman in recognition for the service and citizenship provided by the late Rev. Tommy Tillman.

After the meeting was adjourned, a question was presented regarding Ms. Longmire's offer to donate $3,000 for the $7,000 requested by the Georgiana Police Department.

In response, Commissioner Hanks said, "If she wants to donate the money, she can bring it on."