From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM — In an emergency meeting, the Jefferson County Commission vote on Tuesday, March 31, 2020, to extend the closure of county courthouses and facilities to April 30, 2020.
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The commission also passed a resolution authorizing the purchase of 55 hospital beds at the cost of $80,750. The beds will be purchased from Jett Medical Company. The same resolution authorized the transfer of $1 million from the Catastrophic Event fund to the General Find, for the purchase of the beds and “any other expenditure associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.”
County Manager Tony Petelos said the $1 million will go towards items for EMA and other necessities during the State of Emergency, as needed. Petelos hopes the county will eventually be reimbursed for those expenditures, by federal funds.
Commissioner Joe Knight thanked the commission’s finance team for their hard work during this time. He said the team completed an audit remotely. Knight also said the county is watching how many beds and ventilators are available in hospitals across the county.
Commission President Jimmie Stephens said he would like the public to know the commission is doing its job with the people in the county and in the state in mind.
The next commission meeting will be on Thursday, April 9, at 9 a.m.