St. Clair County Engineer Dan Dahlke proposed creating a designated facility to service and maintain SCAT buses at the county commission meeting Tuesday.

The county hopes to use a building already in existence, instead of building a new structure.

“We are looking at expanding the building up the hill, behind our office,” Dahlke said.

To fund the expansion project, Dahlke and his team plan to secure federal transportation funds.  Government funds provide for 80 percent of project costs, and the county will need to match the 20 percent difference.

“We just need to justify that at least 50 percent of the tools and equipment in the facility will be used to service the buses in order for them to provide funding,” Dahlke said.

The county granted Dahlke approval to begin drawing up plans for the new facility, which will contain equipment necessary to conduct full service oil changes and other maintenance services.

In other actions:

—The county will use CSEP funds to purchase a bucket truck.  Bids from Southland in the amount of $33,500 and Altec in the amount of $34,900 were considered, and the commission voted for Commission Chairman Stan Batemon to make a final decision on the purchase. The deadline to use CSEP funds expires Dec. 31., so the county will move forward with the purchase based on which truck will be available before the end of the year.

—The commission granted approval to sign a contract with McCartney Construction to widen and surface A. E. Moore Dr.

—A resolution was approved for ALDOT to begin a resurfacing project on U.S. Highway 231 2.4 miles north of Post Chapel Rd. to Industrial Dr. in Ashville.

—Approval was granted to amend the Certificate of Incorporation for the Leeds Cooperative District.

—A General Fund budget amendment in the amount of $6, 753.97 was approved to pay the Retirement Systems of Alabama for military service credit for Deputy Freddie Turrentine.

—A request made by the Alabama Cooperative Extension for funds to assist with 4-H program expenses to be paid from the youth portion of Fund 783 (Bingo Fund) was approved.

—The request of the North St. Clair Rescue Squad for $600 appropriation was approved.

—Leases were approved for Shoal Creek Community Center, Hardins Chapel Baptist Church in Ragland and Park Avenue Baptist Church in Moody, effective May 1, 2012.  These were used as Points of Distribution for St. Clair County following the April 27 storms.

—Resolution 2012-08 naming Kellie Long as County Treasurer for 2012 was approved.

—Janice Simmons was hired to fill the new payroll clerk position, effective immediately, and notice will be posted for the vacant advanced clerk position, previously held by Simmons.

—Amy Anthony will fill the vacant full time housekeeper position, effective immediately.

—The commission approved naming county depositories for 2012.  This includes all banks that they have physical business within St. Clair County.