Limestone County Commission approves claims, grants, contracts and personnel changes

The Limestone County Commission on Feb. 18 approved a package of fiscal, contract and personnel actions, including paying $2,710,878.88 in claims and accepting grant funds and loan terms for county equipment.

The actions were taken during the commission’s regular meeting and were unanimous. Commissioners approved contracts with the Alabama Department of Transportation to maintain permanent school flashers at Elkmont Elementary and Owen’s Success School and approved a memorandum of understanding with the local communications district for use of the P25 core, retroactive to December.

The commission accepted a reimbursable $55,000 grant from the Department of Homeland Security to buy LED lighting and a cargo trailer for the county Emergency Management Agency (EMA). Commissioners also voted to apply for a $75,000 Education Trust Fund grant through the county historical commission to support archival work; that grant requires no local match.

The board approved financing to purchase 10 Kenworth TT880 trucks through Bridal Bank under a fixed-rate loan reported as 3.75–3.79 percent for a 15-month term. Commissioners approved a slate of budget revisions, merit pay increases, and an equipment donation of a P25 radio to the Limestone County Volunteer Fire Department.

On personnel matters the commission granted Susie Dugger up to 30 days of leave beginning Feb. 18 and approved a staffing change in the county jail that establishes 46 corrections officer positions and removes an administrative secretary post. The board also appointed Lake and Collins to the Limestone County Water and Sewer Authority Board and approved award of the bids listed on the agenda.

In the engineer’s report, the commission approved two subdivisions: Joe Dirt South Road Subdivision, a preliminary/final minor subdivision creating five lots in District 1; and Seth Smith’s subdivision, a re-subdivision creating two lots from one in District 3.

Votes at a glance

- Approve minutes for Feb. 18: Motion by Commissioner Samet; second Commissioner Turner. Vote: Commissioner Samet, Commissioner Turner, Commissioner Gatlin, Commissioner Townsend — all Aye. Outcome: approved.

- Approve claims of $2,710,878.88: Motion by Commissioner Gatlin; second Commissioner Townsend. Vote: Samet, Turner, Gatlin, Townsend — all Aye. Outcome: approved.

- Approve service/order related to personnel budgeting (text as presented on agenda): Motion by Commissioner Turner; second Commissioner Gatlin. Vote: Samet, Turner, Gatlin, Townsend — all Aye. Outcome: approved.

- Approve resolution to move the March 3 meeting (text as presented on agenda): Motion by Commissioner Samet; second Commissioner Townsend. Vote: Samet, Turner, Gatlin, Townsend — all Aye. Outcome: approved.

- Agreement with ALDOT to maintain permanent school flashers at Elkmont Elementary and Owen’s Success School: Motion by Commissioner Townsend; second Commissioner Turner. Vote: Samet, Turner, Gatlin, Townsend — all Aye. Outcome: approved.

- MOU with the communications district for use of P25 core (retroactive to December): Motion by Commissioner Gatlin; second Commissioner Townsend. Vote: Samet, Turner, Gatlin, Townsend — all Aye. Outcome: approved.

- Accept $55,000 Homeland Security grant for LED lighting and a cargo trailer for EMA (reimbursable): Motion by Commissioner Samet; second Commissioner Turner. Vote: Samet, Turner, Gatlin, Townsend — all Aye. Outcome: approved.

- Apply for $75,000 Education Trust Fund grant through the historical commission (no local match) for archival work: Motion by Commissioner Townsend; second Commissioner Gatlin. Vote: Samet, Turner, Gatlin, Townsend — all Aye. Outcome: approved.

- Approve budget revisions (items listed on agenda): Motion by Commissioner Samet; second Commissioner Turner. Vote: Samet, Turner, Gatlin, Townsend — all Aye. Outcome: approved.

- Appoint Lake and Collins to the Limestone County Water and Sewer Authority Board: Motion by Commissioner Gatlin; second Commissioner Townsend. Vote: Samet, Turner, Gatlin, Townsend — all Aye. Outcome: approved.

- Award listed bids (agenda line): Motion by Commissioner Gatlin; second Commissioner Samet. Vote: Samet, Turner, Gatlin, Townsend — all Aye. Outcome: approved.

- Approve financing for 10 Kenworth TT880 trucks through Bridal Bank (fixed term reported at 3.75–3.79%, 15 months): Motion by Commissioner Gatlin; second Commissioner Samet. Vote: Samet, Turner, Gatlin, Townsend — all Aye. Outcome: approved.

- Approve up to 30 days leave for Susie Dugger beginning Feb. 18: Motion by Commissioner Turner; second Commissioner Samet. Vote: Samet, Turner, Gatlin, Townsend — all Aye. Outcome: approved.

- Amend jail staffing plan to 46 corrections officers and remove an administrative secretary: Motion by Commissioner Townsend; second Commissioner Gatlin. Vote: Samet, Turner, Gatlin, Townsend — all Aye. Outcome: approved.

- Approve merit increases (agenda list): Motion by Commissioner Samet; second Commissioner Townsend. Vote: Samet, Turner, Gatlin, Townsend — all Aye. Outcome: approved.

- Approve two subdivisions (Joe Dirt South Road Subdivision — five lots in District 1; Seth Smith subdivision — two lots from one in District 3): Motion by Commissioner Gatlin; second Commissioner Samet. Vote: Samet, Turner, Gatlin, Townsend — all Aye. Outcome: approved.

- Donate a P25 radio to the Limestone County Volunteer Fire Department: Motion by Commissioner Gatlin; second Commissioner Townsend. Vote: Samet, Turner, Gatlin, Townsend — all Aye. Outcome: approved.

Sources and notes

All items above are taken from the Feb. 18 commission meeting minutes and agenda discussion. Where agenda wording was used in the meeting record, the article reproduces the text as presented during the meeting (for example, loan terms and grant descriptions). If a detail was not specified on the record (for example, loan amortization schedule or the precise vendor names for some bids), the meeting record did not provide it and it is not reported here.