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The Dallas County Commission has approved a work-site agreement with the Governor’s Local Workforce Areas and Sirius Workforce, LLC.

This agreement will allow the county to hire workers participating in the program at no cost to the county while providing program participants with invaluable workplace experience and training.

The plan, which was recommended by Dallas County Human Resources Director Dee Blackmon, would provide eligible applicants ages 16 to 24 with “meaningful and worthwhile work-based learning…” according to the resolution passed unanimously at the commission meeting Monday, August 12. The workers would not work more than 32 hours per week for Dallas County.

“It is a program that will allow young adults the chance to gain some valuable work experience and develop skills that would help them in the work field,” Blackmon said. “And we would also be able to have additional workers free of charge to the county, as Sirius would take care of their compensation. It seems like a win-win for everyone.”

Compensation and worker’s compensation insurance would be paid under the Alabama Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act at no expense to the county.

In other business, the commission:

• Approved its CDBG water hookup invoice.

• Approved a bid to provide Class 3 reinforced pipe with Alabama Pipe & Supply Company, Inc. ranging from $26.49 per linear foot for 15-inch pipe to $300.94 per linear foot of Class 3 arch concrete pipe. There will be $110 per two 300-foot rolls of pipe wrap. Shipment would be between three to five days upon receipt of ordering.

• Heard from Lorenzo Tolbert, Jessie Tompkins and Barry Harrell about County Road 808. Probate Judge Jimmy Nunn said the county engineer is working on a proposal to fix the issue with flooding.

• Approved July budget revisions.

• Appointed Commission Vivian Rogers to the 2024-2025 Legislative Committee.

• Renewed lease agreements with All Star Recycling Partners, LLC and the Alabama Department of Human Resources..

• Signed an memorandum of understanding with Precision Claims Management Group, LLC to provide inmate medical claim cost reduction services for the county jail.

• Heard from County Emergency Management Agency director Toya Stiles about its 16th annual “Be Ready Day” on Wednesday, September 18, from 10 a.m. to noon at Bloch Park.