Assistant Metro Editor
The county receives federal money each year to prepare a community response to a chemical weapons accident or incident at the Anniston Army Depot's chemical weapons stockpile.
Included in the budget is money for the operation and maintenance of the Calhoun County Emergency Agency's chemical weapons preparedness measures, such as the county¡¦s emergency notification system.
The commission also voted to contract out some services for indigent residents to a local religious charity, the All Saints Interfaith Center for Concern.
Commissioners will work out final details "including the cost of the contract" with the charity, which is comprised of several area religious organizations.
Commissioner Rudy Abbott questioned whether the contract was legal; in particular, whether it violated the separation of church and state.
"If we fund a religious group, where are we going to draw the line?" Abbott asked the commission.
The contract would provide prescription drugs and some medical services to those who could not afford them.
The contract was brought to the commission by Chairman Robert Downing, who said it is legal and does not cross the line between church and state.
The aim, rather, is to fill a vital need in the community, he said.
"They have an excellent track record of efficiency and compassion, and an excellent track record of the utilization of the funds they receive," Downing said after the meeting. "They are funded by various churches from all types of denominations, and the people they serve don¡¦t get religious training. They¡¦re just there to help."
Downing also said he checked with the county attorney, Tom Sowa, to make sure the action was legitimate.
"The crux of it is I would like for the commission to make an appropriation if money is available to help the center for concern, and I'm going to, in the future, determine if any funds are available in the county budget to help them."
The city of Anniston included an appropriation for the center in its budget this year.
"I think this is the first year we¡¦ve given them money," Anniston Mayor Chip Howell said. "I know the good work (Sister Mary Roy) does, and the council recognizes that. I know she sees a need."
Roy runs the center.
In other business, the commission:
The next meeting of the Calhoun County Commission will be 10 a.m. Jan. 22 at the county administration building.