The Elmore County Commission had a crowd in the historic Elmore County Courthouse courtroom as it conducted business Thursday morning.Â
Instead of a hot-button topic, commissioners welcomed more than 150 county high school seniors to the 16th annual Elmore County Government Day.
“We are delighted to have you to learn more about county government and answer questions you might have,” commission chair Troy Stubbs said to the students. “Hopefully we will plant a seed to help you understand the importance of civic duty as you advance from high school into further education or a career.”
With all the students in the historic courtroom, Stubbs also announced the winners of the second annual Operation Spring Clean where students from schools throughout Elmore County cleaned nearly 15 miles of roadway picking up more than 100 bags of roadside litter last month.
Wetumpka High School was first followed by Elmore County High School in second and Holtville High School in third. The students were awarded prizes from Advanced Disposal.
“We are doing it again April next year,” Stubbs said. “We want you to be part of the encouragement for students to take part in Operation Spring Clean 2020.”
Students visited more than 15 agencies associated with city and county governments. They also saw demonstrations from the Wetumpka Fire Department and the Elmore County Sheriff’s Department Special Response Unit. The fire department used its hydraulic equipment to demonstrate how first responders get victims out of wrecked cars. The special response group showed students some tools they use to apprehend suspects and how they might use explosives to open a barricaded door.
In other action the Elmore County Commission also:
• Authorized Stubbs to execute a resolution to allow Community Block Grant Economic Development Float Loan Funds to be utilized for the construction of a new medical facility in Wetumpka. The county acts as a pass-through allowing low-interest loans for the clinic but the county is not responsible.
• Approved the memorandum of warrants for April 3-17.
• Was notified of the hire of two employees and the termination of another.
• Approved the consent docket with a travel memo.
• Approved a proclamation declaring April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.
• Learned of a refund due to the management of its self-insurance program.
• Approved a new document management system for the sheriff’s department that was previously budgeted for.
The next meetings of the Elmore County Commission are at 5 p.m. Monday, May 13 and 5 p.m. Thursday, May 23.
