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The Chambers County Commission met on June 2 at the Chambers County Courthouse to discuss critical changes in both infrastructure and safety. 

The commission discussed maintenance issues on Alabama Exit 70 in Cusseta, highlighting the dangerous conditions presented by the lack of proper lighting along the roads. The commission is considering entering into a lease agreement with Alabama Power, under which the power company would assume all responsibility for the maintenance and updating of the light fixtures. Currently, the responsibility falls to the Chambers County Commission, and the lease is expected to save Chambers County between $2,000 and $10,000 annually.

The lease could potentially lower power costs by 30 to 40 percent and cost an estimated $3,300 per month with options to negotiate lease terms as they expire.

Representative Debbie Wood, Alabama State Representative, District 38, addressed the council regarding educational reforms and initiatives aimed at refocusing classrooms and improving teacher recruitment efforts along with incentives for recruiting police officers. 

1. RAISE Act: This new act enables schools to request additional funding based on specific needs, such as those of gifted or special needs students, rather than solely on the student population. Chambers County is expected to receive an additional $700,000.
2. Choose Act: This act provides parents with more control over their children’s education by offering financial support for private schooling or homeschooling, with funds based on poverty levels.
3. Parental Leave Act: This act was passed to provide maternity leave for teachers, aiming to improve recruitment and support family-friendly policies in Alabama.
4. Sales Tax Reduction: The state sales tax on groceries will be reduced to 2% starting in October, providing financial relief to families.
5. Community Pharmacists Protection: Legislation was passed to ensure fair reimbursement for community pharmacies, helping to prevent closures.
6. Rural Hospital Investment Act: This act encourages donations to rural hospitals by offering a 100% tax credit for contributions, aiming to keep these essential facilities open.
7. Medical Consent Age: The age for medical consent in Alabama was raised from 14 to 16, aligning it with other legal age requirements.
8. Focus Act: This act bans cell phone use in schools to minimize distractions and improve student focus.
9. Backing the Blue: Legislation was introduced to provide some immunity to law enforcement officers acting appropriately, to encourage more individuals to join the force.
10. Budget and Funding: The increase in the general fund budget to $3.8 billion and the education fund to $9.9 billion was noted, pointing out Alabama’s low tax ranking while allocating funds to education.

Recognized in the meeting was Joseph Manley who won 1st Place in the Alabama State Skills USA Automotive Service Technology Competition. At the national competition, Manley was the only student from the state of Alabama to enter the competition.