Outgoing Drew County Judge Robert Akin and Drew County Sheriff Mark Gober were recognized and presented plagues, and a buckle for Akin, at the regularly scheduled Quorum Court meeting held Monday, Dec. 12 at 6 p.m.
The Justices of the Peace recognized the outgoing Akin and Gober and thanked them for their years of service to Drew County.
During the last meeting of the year, the Justices of the Peace approved the 2023 budget, the budget was approved after a special meeting that was held Monday, Dec. 5 to approve a raise in salary across the board for the county, excluding County Attorney and Prosecuting attorney, who are stand-alone positions and are not included in the 3 percent raise.
After hammering out the details of the raises, the Justices of the Peace approved Appropriation Ordinance 2022-28 in the Special Dec. 5 meeting. The ordinance appropriated $1,946,950, which includes contingency money for any shifts in costs found during the installation. The HVAC unit will replace the old broiler in the courthouse.
SeaArk Boats, 728 West Patton, requested for the Court to endorse SeaArk Boats to participate in the tax back program of the Consolidated Incentive Act of 2003. The Court approved the request and Resolution number 2022-02. The resolution authorizes the Department of Finance and Administration to refund local sales and use taxes to SeaArk Boats.
The Justices also approved expenditures of $10,000 in money appropriated for the Fire Departments earlier this year. Selma Volunteer Fire Department spent the full $10,000 on equipment, while the Lacy Ladelle Volunteer Fire Department spent $8,000 on a fire truck. The Volunteer Fire Department who did not spend the money that was awarded to them this year, and had the money rolled over into the 2023 County budget.
To conclude the regular meeting, the Justices set the time and date for the first of the year Quorum Court meeting Sunday, January 1, at 2 p.m. in the Drew County Courthouse after the elected officials have been sworn in. The Drew County Quorum Court will then be presided over by Jessie Griffin, who will be sworn in as Drew County Judge before the beginning of the meeting.
