The Lee County Commission took a step toward changing local legislation at its regular meeting Jan. 31.
Wendy Swann, Lee County's governmental relations coordinator, asked the Lee County Commission to consider drafting legislation that resulted from a work session on local legislation Jan. 24.
Commissioners considered a request by Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones to amend the current local law to allow for the sale of abandoned, stolen or unclaimed firearms to dealers both within and outside the state of Alabama.
The sheriff has the ability to sell abandoned, stolen or unclaimed property after a certain period of time, but the law currently limits the selling of unclaimed firearms to within Lee County.
Under the current law, the sheriff can sell the firearms to a licensed dealer and receive credit for equipment that his deputies need.
Jones said having the ability to sell unclaimed items will help reduce costs for their everyday equipment.
County administrator Roger Rendleman said being allowed to sell unclaimed firearms outside Lee County would result in more bidders and better prices.
Jones said the law requires diligence from the sheriff's office in locating the owner of stolen property.
He said unclaimed property is held for a six month period, and during that time the sheriff's department is required to notify the public of the stolen property, advertise the property in circulating publications and send out alerts.
"We go through several steps before disposing of property, especially firearms," Jones said.
The Lee County Commission also considered a proposal to abolish the elected office of constable in Lee County at the end of the current term of office.
Jones said constables do not have any official duties, a standard for salary or any requirements for any type of specialized training. He said they were just offices on the ballot.
Kenneth Belcher of Smiths Station was elected as one of the few constables in Lee County in 2008, and recently resigned from the office.
Belcher said the office of constable is symbolic and does not serve a real function anymore.
He said constables are only necessary in poor counties to serve summons for divorces and for small claims cases.
"We are very fortunate to have a large, efficient sheriff's department," Belcher said.
Belcher said constables have created havoc in other counties.
He said in all of his 25 years of living in Lee County, constables have not been a problem here.
Constables in the county have run for the office with the platform of abolishing it.
Other business the Lee County Commission considered was an amendment to abolish Lee County Coroner Bill Harris' current expense allowance and provide a vehicle allowance in an amount determined by the commission.
The bill would ensure expenses in the coroner's office are handled in the same manner as in other county departments.
Expenses would be authorized to cover the coroner's personal vehicle in carrying out duties.
Lee County Commissioner Johnny Lawrence said the existing manner in which the coroner receives his allowance would have to be changed in order to keep expenses in line with expectations of state auditors.
Another proposal that Commissioners considered was from Lee County Revenue Commissioner Oline Price for an amendment to make current law match the state sales and use tax outside the corporate limits of Opelika, yet still within the confines of its police jurisdiction.
If passed, the bill would equalize the tax rate and bring Opelika to the same standard as Auburn.
The housekeeping measure would increase the current rate of 2 percent to 3 percent.
Opelika pulled its police jurisdiction back to city limits in 2001. Services were still provided and the sales tax was dropped in an area.
At the meeting, commissioners decided they will propose these locals bills to the region's nine-member state legislative delegation at a later date.
Commissioners will ask lawmakers to consider introducing the county's local legislation during this year's regular session of the state legislature, which will begin on March 1.
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