[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6318566,"mediaKeyId","2364768-c75ca40f778c5a764232aece9098fb77","parentId",2364768,"title","Limestone County Commission approves claims, grants, contracts and routine staffing changes at Feb. 18 work session","audioSeconds",158,"startMs",434000,"endMs",592000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2364768-c75ca40f778c5a764232aece9098fb77&start=434&end=592","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2364768-c75ca40f778c5a764232aece9098fb77/thumbnail_434000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6318566/Limestone-County/Alabama/Limestone-County-Commission-approves-claims-grants-contracts-and-routine-staffing-changes-at-Feb-18-work-session","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6318566-ab06aef92921e276ac4c84f953aae4fd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181747&Signature=DybLEsYH6EGrwn375e8EMMlts1-EhH1o0wMEcfAlMJ3uxtpd2HbmGxVdraYpy-g73GW~fRsIxnAREJcJqihMqNii5rf1Kr~T8EwrGVJ4~c7zMWcGPr9m8oCi1aK1y3CdvgoezUUrR644kBGv-HHFsSkIJKGxeZ0rukylgFy7hVq9WOxdj~UEzrfGiy6ol~estoKEAQFMUOecCewm84mBzMH0pOiAh1NJ4L0k7RDK7sx8FK2WeKmRPgXUJ98kuVM0qDVCXWTL~FcKWH455KLy~fTmMsDcIr3a8R4w5LR-6XtDnRNi-nmQpNb7JfdvSxOLFbTxEgXyXXl-A3aw50QTxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Limestone County, Alabama","date","2025-02-19T17:17:59Z","article","The Limestone County Commission approved a series of consent items and routine actions at its Feb. 18 work session, moving several grants, agreements and personnel changes forward without recorded objections.

Commissioners opened the session by asking if there were any public comments; none of the listed consent items drew objections during the meeting. The commission approved claims totaling $2,710,878.88, several budget revisions (details not read into the record), and a service order with ClearGov for a personnel-budgeting subscription.

The commission approved a resolution to move the March 3 meeting and work session to Friday, March 7, citing the commissioners' attendance at the National Association of Counties (NACo) meeting.

Contracts and agreements approved included an agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation for permanent school flashers at two locations: Elkmont and the school formerly known as Owens Elementary (referred to in the record as the Success school). The commission also approved a memorandum of understanding with the Madison County Commission for use of the P25 core; the agreement was recorded as retroactive to Dec. 4, 2024.

The commission accepted a $55,000 reimbursement grant from the Department of Homeland Security for Emergency Management Agency (EMA) purchases of LED light towers, generators and a cargo trailer; officials said the grant is a reimbursement grant at no cost to the county. The commission also approved applying for a $75,000 Education Trust Fund grant through the Alabama Historical Commission for building improvements at the county archives; meeting remarks said the archives grant requires no county match.

The board approved financing to replace fleet vehicles, authorizing financing through Bryant Bank for 10 trucks; the recorded terms were a 3.79% fixed interest rate and a single-payment loan with a 15-month term. Commissioners also approved an award for a printing bid for the probate office.

Personnel actions approved included unpaid leave for Susie Duggar for up to 30 days beginning in February and an amendment to the jail staffing plan to reflect 46 corrections officers while removing one administrative secretary position.

The commission appointed a member to the Limestone County Water and Sewer Board Authority for District 3; the commission member who introduced the appointment described the appointee as a longtime local businessman. The meeting transcript records the appointee’s name unclearly; the record should be consulted for the official spelling and details.

Other items on the agenda included engineers’ reports approving two minor subdivisions (a five‑lot split in District 1 and a two‑lot replat in District 3), preparations for possible winter weather response and a planned transfer of P25 radios to Limestone County volunteer fire departments (the transcript indicates 10 radios per department purchased with grant funds). Several merit increases were listed and moved without discussion.

No executive session was held; the commission recessed for 15 minutes at the end of the business portion of the work session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","February 18, 2025 Work Session","oneSentenceSummary","The Limestone County Commission approved a slate of consent items at its Feb. 18 work session, including claims of $2,710,878.88, grant acceptances and routine staffing and equipment financing measures.","taxTitle","taxId",13474,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6318571,"New nonprofit PALS pitches $450,000, donated building to open low-cost spay-neuter clinic in Limestone County",243,17000,260000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2364768-c75ca40f778c5a764232aece9098fb77&start=17&end=260","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2364768-c75ca40f778c5a764232aece9098fb77/thumbnail_17000.jpg","/articles/6318571/Limestone-County/Alabama/New-nonprofit-PALS-pitches-450000-donated-building-to-open-low-cost-spay-neuter-clinic-in-Limestone-County","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6318571-8de56a6cc0d490bdad07327b431ff0d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181747&Signature=X4zAutrcyUodKY8wEnaSV6OBp5CJykC6FozVSvxUoP7idoDaK-UbxK8VHH7Xh-rkSql4Ke~ZuSm-9cifdwkDbTw04~XsAgUxmmy0T5~6Piz1LwB7I2ut4O920ve6MUSnexa03kPMSQK4b49q2mdGlFoKDzE-UVhC011QBDIdTwWfBtukocgXEIsA09IICuCy8BfssHnBqg4x2ZDYPZqfXO4eLvMkYbITip260djuRhtHSyuZVXuSovMlVMMkXcvdYMX2XZnILYXKM6vTNtxfWue9X7AbhvJ4eO10eWcTGV3ko2gQHfb-b8MX3OIneZ4LCIN1nGuIVA5l~3iyzziHkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of a newly formed nonprofit, Partners for Animals in Athens Limestone (PALS), addressed the Limestone County Commission on Feb. 18 to outline plans for a low-cost spay-and-neuter clinic and to seek community support and a donated facility.

PALS said the clinic would follow proven business models to make surgery fees cover operations. \"We have a lot of data that shows the benefits of spay neuter,\" said Beverly Ashton, a representative of the group. Ashton told commissioners the group’s research indicates a focused spay/neuter program could \"literally shelter intake in half\" if the community meets targets based on pet-population formulas.

Anna Lee Hurst, who identified herself as president of PALS, said the organization is now a 501(c)(3) and is fundraising to start operations. \"Our immediate goal is $450,000. That is very conservative,\" Hurst said, adding that the amount would cover medical and nonmedical equipment, medicines, and initial operating costs. Hurst said the group expects to supplement revenue in the first year and estimated a roughly $200,000 first-year shortfall while the clinic builds volume.

PALS representatives described operational targets and capacity needs. Ashton said the group’s formula calls for roughly 900 more spay/neuters a year than currently performed locally. She said sustaining clinics typically perform 25–35 surgeries per day and that the clinic would need veterinarians able to work at that pace. Hurst said PALS already has a committed veterinarian and plans to staff the clinic with two vets.

Carol Cruz, who identified herself as the group’s treasurer and a CPA, said PALS intends to be transparent with finances and to pursue grants and fundraising. \"If there are any questions that specific financial questions, I'd be happy to talk to anybody,\" Cruz said.

PALS asked for help locating a donated building of about 3,000–3,500 square feet to avoid purchasing property. The group also described a low-cost, no-qualification pricing model that would allow anyone from Limestone County and surrounding counties to access surgeries at a single reduced price. Ashton credited the Humane Alliance as the source of the business model the group intends to follow.

Commissioners did not take formal action on the request during the Feb. 18 work session; PALS members left packets for commissioners and asked to be contacted about potential buildings and partnership opportunities.

The group said its goals are to reduce shelter intake and related county costs by increasing spay-and-neuter rates, to support local shelters and rescues, and to provide affordable care for pet owners who cannot afford standard veterinary pricing.","At the Feb. 18 Limestone County Commission work session, representatives of Partners for Animals in Athens Limestone (PALS) described plans for a low-cost spay/neuter clinic, said they are a registered 501(c)(3), and asked the county and community to help identify a donated building of about 3,000–3,500 square feet.","actionData","errors"]

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Limestone County Commission approves claims, grants, contracts and routine staffing changes at Feb. 18 work session

New nonprofit PALS pitches $450,000, donated building to open low-cost spay-neuter clinic in Limestone County