 |
Executive Director's
Report- Pre-Convention Issue 2005
Two counties forfeit, two counties gain federal funds
The State of Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) annually allocates $33.5 million in Federal transportation funds to county governments in the state for use on eligible road and bridge projects. The money is divided equally among the counties so each receives $500 thousand.
Prior to 1999, there were no ALDOT written rules and regulations governing the use of the funds and no clear indications as to the time frames within which they must be used or obligated. Upon the urging of the Board of Directors of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama (ACCA) and the Association of County Engineers of Alabama, in April of that year ALDOT adopted Procedures for Distribution of Federal Aid Funds to Counties. The procedures were adopted so that county commission members and county engineers would be aware of when Federal transportation funds would be made available and the time frame within which the funds must be expended or obligated in order that they not be forfeited.
Included in the procedures is a provision that the ALDOT inform the ACCA of all counties that forfeited the allotted Federal funds. The ACCA Board of Directors instructed the Association to publish the names of any such counties and the amounts forfeited.
For the second year in a row, it is a pleasure to report that only two counties forfeited Federal funds. The names of the two counties along with the amounts forfeited in 2005 are provided below.
Lamar $127,352.40
Coosa $273,232.18
For practically all the years counties have been receiving Federal funds through ALDOT, it has been the understanding that funds forfeited by counties would be made available to other counties. This understanding was reached in an effort to ensure that the entire $33.5 million allocated annually was used by counties. We are glad to report that two counties, Coffee and Houston, have been approved to receive an extra $200 thousand each in Federal funds.
It is unfortunate that the two counties had to forfeit Federal funds. Officials in those counties will no doubt take steps to ensure that it does not happen again. The county commissioners and county engineers in the other 65 counties are to be congratulated.
|
|
