 |
Executive Director's
Report - Pre-Convention Issue 2006
One county forfeits Federal transportation 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 ALDOT inform the ACCA of all counties that forfeited the allotted Federal funds. The ACCA Board of Directors instructed the Association staff to publish the names of any such counties and the amounts forfeited.
It is a pleasure to report that only one county forfeited Federal funds. Wilcox County forfeited $500,000 in Federal funds this year and more than $385,000 of the previous year's funds.
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 four counties, Chambers, DeKalb, Geneva, and Houston, have been approved to receive extra Federal funds.
It is unfortunate that the one county had to forfeit Federal funds. Officials in that county will no doubt take steps to ensure that it does not happen again. The county commissioners and county engineers in the other 66 counties are to be congratulated.
ACCA Board Continues Relationship with GovDeals, Inc.
The ACCA Board of Directors met recently and agreed to continue a relationship with GovDeals, Inc., which provides an internet-based auction system through which county commissions can dispose of surplus property.
The Association initially entered into a five-year endorsement agreement with GovDeals in July of 2001. On the date the Association entered into the agreement the specific system offered by GovDeals was the only one in existence in Alabama. There are currently other companies in the state providing similar services.
The Board of Directors reviewed the track record of services provided by GovDeals during the past five years and determined that it would be in the best interest of counties for the Association to continue its endorsement relationship with the company.
The internet based auction program offered by GovDeals ushered in a new method through which governmental surplus property can be disposed of in Alabama. The method has been a huge success. The members of the Board of Directors felt that, for that reason, coupled with the very professional manner in which its representatives have dealt with counties, the company deserved a continuation of the endorsement.
|
|
