Calhoun County Commissioners voted Thursday to renew the contract of lobbyist David Springer, raising Springer's contract compensation by 50 percent to $90,000 per year.
Springer is retained by the commission to lobby policymakers in Washington, D.C., on issues related to the chemical weapons incinerator at the Anniston Army Depot.
The commission's vote on the contract renewal was unanimous. Springer's compensation in the one-year contract is increased from the former $5,000 per month to $7,500 per month.
"Without Mr. Springer, I don't think we would have gotten anything from the feds," Commissioner Eli Henderson told the commission.
Springer has worked for the commission for the past year. Commissioners credit him with helping the county obtain $25 million of a promised $40 million Department of Defense grant intended to help the county prepare for a chemical weapons emergency.
Commissioners said Springer currently is working on getting the remainder of that grant, some $15 million, for gas masks for county residents who live closest to the depot.
"It's been a very difficult situation for the Calhoun County Commission," said Commissioner Robert Downing. "This firm's help and advice in this process has been extremely helpful."
Springer also changed law firms recently. He is now with Venable, Baetjer, Howard and Civiletti.
Commission Chairman Lea Fite said Springer probably will remain busy during the coming year and beyond. Fite said he was hired to help obtain the preparedness money and, at a later date, impact fees.
"He wanted it," Fite said of Springer's contract after the meeting. "He said he was going to quit if he didn't get that. But, seriously, he's having to spend a lot more time with FEMA and the Army. David, on this issue, is on the phone everyday getting the Army and FEMA to turn loose the money."
In other county commission business:
· Commissioners signed an employee agreement with Martha Tucker, who will act as a liaison at the Calhoun County Jail.
Tucker, who will make $15 per hour, was hired on a part-time basis and will work 32 or fewer hours per week.
Her responsibilities will include identifying prisoners with court dates and coordinating procedures between the jail, the commission and the Calhoun County courts.
County Attorney Tom Sowa said Tucker's job should save the county money.
"If you get prisoners to court for prosecution or other legal actions, there will be less crowding and therefore less cost to the county," Sowa said.
Fite agreed that the new position should save the county money.
"We need that center, pivot person to work between all the three entities," Fite said. This will save the Calhoun County Commission big money."
Commissioners voted 5-0 on the measure.
· The commission re-appointed three members to the Calhoun County 911 Board.
Mathew Lowery, Rita Carlisle and Lucky King will serve four-year terms.
· Commissioners signed a lease agreement for eight dump trucks costing $85,716 each, and two dump trucks costing $76,561 each.
However, the terms of the lease call for the county to pay approximately $600 per month per vehicle before the lease expires.
· The commission accepted two parcels of right-of-way so the county can replace bridges on Peeks Hill Road and Hollingsworth Drive.
The next Calhoun County Commission meeting will be 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, at the Calhoun County Commission building on Noble Street.
