Monday evening’s Dallas County Commission meeting began with public comment from three different individuals seeking support for several upcoming events.

The first to go before the commission at Monday’s meeting was Linda Derry on behalf of Old Cahawba Archaeological Park.

Derry invited the commissioners to attend the upcoming bicentennial celebration to be held at Old Cahawba on Oct. 4.

According to Derry, Old Cahawba was the site of Alabama’s first Statehouse, a fact Derry believes warrants Old Cahawba being the center of attention during the State’s bicentennial.

“We’re 200 years old,” said Derry. “And Cahawba, right here in Dallas County, was chosen to be Alabama’s first state capital. So the spotlight should be here on Dallas County.”

After Derry completed her remarks, Karlynn Johnson, a representative of the local chapter of Lupus Foundation of America, took to the podium seeking support from the commission regarding the upcoming “Walk To End Lupus Now” to be held Oct. 19 at Bloch Park.

Johnson shared with the commission some background information on Lupus and stressed how important events like this were in developing a cure for the incurable disease.

Finally, former Selma Mayor George Evans sought support from the commission for the upcoming Evans Special Benefit Fund Golf Classic.

The charity golf tournament is an annual event which raises funds benefiting special needs children through organizations like Cahaba Mental Health Center, West Alabama Rehabilitation – EasterSeals, Selma City Schools and Dallas County Schools.

The event also includes a Fun Day for area special needs children.

“It’s a really great event,” said Dallas County Probate Judge Jimmy Nunn. “It’s a lot of fun for these kids. It’s something really unique in Selma – Dallas County.”

Following the public comment section of the meeting, the commission approved the agenda before moving on the departmental reports.

Dallas County Commissioner Barbara Harrell recommended the commission approve disposed assets for the 2019 fiscal year, the 2020 fiscal year contract list, all banks depositories be declared, allowing the county to use any bank desired and an invoice for Dallas County Attorney John Kelly be payed.

The commission unanimously approved all of Harrell’s recommendations.

Toward the end of Monday’s meeting, Nunn declared the county should be commended for its early approval of its 2020 budget, citing the Dallas County Commission as one of the first entities in the area to approve a budget for the new fiscal year.