Montgomery County Commission considers using ARPA funds to help fire services in unincorporated areas

MONTGOMERY – The Montgomery County Commission may direct American Rescue Plan Act funds to the Pike Road Volunteer Fire Authority and other volunteer fire departments.

At their March 19 meeting, the commission received a resolution asking them to fund volunteer fire departments serving unincorporated areas and to provide an emergency vehicle to serve the county using ARPA funds.

“The end goal would be to service the entirety of the unincorporated areas of the county [and then] any funds that are left over after Pike Road … will be divided amongst the (other) volunteer fire departments,” County Attorney Terri Reynolds said.

The communities of Waugh, Mt. Meigs, Cecil, McDade and Rolling Hills would be served by Pike Road VFD, and Pike Road would expand its services to other areas as well, according to Commissioner Doug Singleton.

The emergency vehicle purchase in question is for an ambulance. Singleton was unsure if it was a used vehicle, but Reynolds said that the funds would cover the purchase of a new one along with a used unit. It could take as long as two and a half years to get a new ambulance, but a used unit can be delivered sooner, she said.

The commission also heard an update from Deputy Administrator Kindell Anderson regarding ARPA funding for walking trails in Montgomery that were approved in 2023.

He said that he has met with officials from the city, the county and River Region Trails to plan four projects.

He mentioned the recent $36.6 million grant to the Selma to Montgomery Trail. There may be “opportunity” to further expand the trail, or the funds can be used for another project that River Region Trails is planning with ALTA Consulting.

Funding from the $5 million of ARPA money will go to design and engineer the projects before they seek a larger grant for their construction.

In other business the commission:

• Approved a 2% employee cost of living adjustment effective April 1,
• Amended a contract with Montgomery Armored Car Service to be extended to March 31, 2025 and increase service fees from $391.58 to $411.16 a month per location,
• Approved an agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) to resurface Mt. Zion Road from Paulk/Gibson Road to Woodley Road, and
• Approved an agreement with Tyler Technologies to upgrade financial software and expand its enterprise resource planning system.

The Montgomery County Commission meets on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 101 South Lawrence Street. Information sessions begin at 10 a.m. followed by the formal meeting.

Livestreamed meetings can be seen on the commission’s YouTube and Facebook pages.

Agendas with additional details can be found at the commission’s documents section of the website.