By Megan Bennett
The Coffee County Sherriff’s Department will be getting eight new Dodge Chargers, thanks to approval by the county commission at Monday’s regular commission meeting. The Chargers will be purchased from Coffee Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership and should be running in the next 30 to 60 days.
The commission also approved a bid for repair on railroad crossings on Chaney and Michell roads in Douglas. Burke Paving will be performing the work.
The date for the special election runoff for House District 155 was announced for Aug. 11, and the early voting period for the runoff will be from July 27 to Aug. 7.
First Baptist Church pastor Shep Johnson announced a candlelight prayer walk at the courthouse on Aug. 10. Area churches and anyone interested are encouraged to join for a 45 minute prayer vigil, singing, and scripture reading.
The annual finance report for the county commission revealed encouraging numbers as the county’s revenue rose from last year’s amount. The commission set a budget at the beginning of the fiscal year for $14.7 million for expenditures and only used $14.1 million. The improving economy was a contributing factor, as well as a raise in taxes and grants received from a CDBG and the DOT. Commissioners thanked the sheriff’s department as well as other department heads for working with them on budgeting and saving funds that has ultimately led to a successful year for Coffee County.