Annual Roundup in Montgomery County Rolls in 1400 Scrap Tires

Montgomery County’s Department of Roads collected 1400 scrap tires from 77 residents during its recent scrap tire amnesty event Roads Superintendent Milton Fountain reported during the Montgomery County Commission meeting February 8.

The effort was funded by a $15,075.75 Scrap Tire Abatement Grant awarded to the county by the Environment Protection Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. In accordance with the grant, the Montgomery County Commissioners staged a five-day event to round up and dispose of old tires. The event was open to the public but for residents of the county only. The drop-off site was the Montgomery County Solid Waste Center outside of Ailey. Rules applied. For instance, car, truck and ATV ties were accepted, as well as a limited number of commercial truck tires (10 per household address.) The county reserved the right to stop accepting commercial tires during the event. All tires had to be disconnected from any wheels and free of debris. County staff was on hand to assist the public at the drop-off site.

The scrap tire abatement project, conducted annually, is in its third year in Montgomery County. Tires collected at the event were picked up by Quality Tire

Recycling company from Jackson. The reimbursement grant funds the hauling and disposal of the tires.

During the Commission session County Administrator Brandon Braddy reported January property tax collections increased the monthly revenue to $2.3 million. As of January 31, the county had expended $309, 809 for 8.7% of the $4.5 million annual budget.

Also, during the session, the Commission adopted an Amended Timber Operations Ordinance following its second reading. The ordinance was amended in order to comply with state statute and regards business and business regulations as set forth in the Montgomery Code.

In other business, the commissioners approved the annual Geospatial (Q-

Public) contract, which allows the public to view property data online; a request for a proposal to purchase a new motor grader; a request for a proposal for residential and commercial solid waste collection and disposal services; and approval of a $21,039.59 contract with McLendon Enterprises to replace four storm water catch basins and to perform necessary work to achieve positive draining at the Montgomery County Recreation Center. “It is a safety issue,” Braddy said of the work to replace the obsolete drains.

The Commission also agreed to set its work sessions on the Thursday prior to its monthly meeting. The work sessions will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the Adult Literacy Center.

Reviewing activities for the month of January, EMA Director Donnie Daniels reported 96 EMS calls and 27 fire calls. He also noted that the county’s hazard mitigation plan has been approved by GEMA and FEMA and that its early warning siren has been installed on the campus of Brewton-Parker College.