Rick Patrick: Greene Publishing, Inc.
In a special called meeting of the Madison County Board of County Commissioners on Friday, June 16, the Board unanimously approved spending $5,000 to cover emergency repairs to the fire alarm system at the county jail. During recent thunderstorms, lightning strikes damaged a control panel, causing the loss of the fire alarm system. According to Madison County Under Sheriff Epp Richardson, the entire control panel and possibly some sensors will need to be replaced. “It's a process to know the full extent of the damage,” said Richardson. The panel must be replaced before determining what else must be replaced or repaired. At worst, the repairs could cost as much as $18,000. Most of the cost will be covered by insurance, but there is a $5,000 deductible for which the County is responsible. Funds are available to cover that deductible out of fiscal restraints funds.
A new control panel has been ordered. There is an employee within the Madison County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) who happens to be a Master Electrician. This will allow the MCSO to complete some of the work to replace and repair the damaged system “in house,” which will save a significant amount of money.
The Wednesday, June 28 meeting of the Madison County Board of County Commissioners has been moved to Wednesday, July 5, at 9 a.m. The Board will meet again at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 5 with members of the Fire Board in order to discuss the new fire assessment and the needs of the various volunteer fire departments in order to provide fire safety to the residents of the county. Both meetings will take place in the Boardroom at 229 SW Pinckney St., in Madison. All meetings of the Board of County Commissioners are open to the public.