Industrial board asked to hold up action on bill

By Staff
Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
A resolution passed by a vote of 3 to 2 at the April 8 regular meeting of the Morgan County Commission requests the local legislative delegation to withhold action on a bill that would change the name and extend the boundaries of the East Morgan County Industrial Development Board.
The proposed bill was advertised by State Rep. Jeremy Oden R-Eva, in another Morgan County newspaper for four consecutive weeks in February and March. If enacted, it would delete the name “East” and replace it with “Rural,” set aside 8 percent of the county’s TVA payments in lieu of taxes, excluding school and city portions, for its funding; increase the number of board members from five to seven; and expand its jurisdiction to include all of Morgan County.
On a motion to approve the resolution, the vote was 2 to 2 with Commissioners Jeff Clark and Ken Livingston voting for and Commssioners Stacy George and Kevin Murphy voting against approval. Commissioner John Glasscock voted with Clark and Livingston to break the tie.
The proposed legislation provides for the commission to appoint two board members, Sen. Arthur Orr, two and representatives representing any part of Morgan County, two.