The Limestone County Commission on Jan. 6 unanimously approved routine business including minutes, claims and personnel actions, approved three minor subdivision plats and authorized the sale and removal of surplus county property before voting to enter an executive session for an administrative hearing concerning job performance.

The commission approved the minutes of its Dec. 16, 2024, meeting and claims totaling $4,459.97. It appointed Mark Massey to the Limestone County Economic Development Board and approved hiring Brionica Butler as a tag/title clerk. Commissioners also approved merit increases as listed in the meeting packet and voted to sell specified county items on GovDeals and to remove certain items from the county inventory.

Engineer Mark Massey presented three minor subdivision plats for approval: Smith Estate subdivision (preliminary and final, creating two lots in District 1); East Limestone Acres subdivision, replat of Lot 41 (preliminary and final, creating two lots in District 2); and Gary T. Hargrove Subdivision (preliminary and final; creating two lots in District 1 and one lot in District 4). The commission voted to approve the subdivisions as presented.

Commissioners spent part of the meeting thanking volunteers, county employees and the sheriff’s department for post‑storm cleanup in the county seat. “We’ve got the most beautiful courthouse in the state of Alabama,” Commissioner Samet said while thanking volunteers who helped clear debris from the square. Commissioner Turner said the cardboard collection trailer placed in his district “worked great for the Christmas holiday.” Commissioner Townsend and others praised staff at the animal shelter for adoption and care efforts.

After completing business the commission moved to recess and voted unanimously to enter executive session for an administrative hearing on job performance; commissioners said no other decisions would be made while in executive session except on the personnel matter identified.

Votes at a glance: approved actions and roll-call outcomes
- Approve minutes (Dec. 16, 2024): Motion by Commissioner Samet; second by Commissioner Townsend. Vote: unanimous (Aye: Commissioner Samet; Commissioner Townsend; Commissioner Turner; Commissioner Gatlin; Chairman—Aye). Outcome: approved.
- Approve claims, $4,459.97: Motion by Commissioner Gatlin; second by Commissioner Samet. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.
- Appointment — Mark Massey to Limestone County Economic Development Board: Motion by Commissioner Samet; second by Commissioner Townsend. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.
- Hire — Brionica Butler, tag/title clerk: Motion by Commissioner Turner; second by Commissioner Gatlin. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.
- Merit increases as listed: Motion by Commissioner Townsend; second by Commissioner Gatlin. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.
- Subdivisions (Smith Estate; East Limestone Acres replat of Lot 41; Gary T. Hargrove Subdivision): Motion by Commissioner Samet; second by Commissioner Turner. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved (preliminary and final for each, as presented).
- Authorize sale of listed county property on GovDeals: Motion by Commissioner Gatlin; second by Commissioner Townsend. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.
- Remove specified items from county inventory: Motion by Commissioner Townsend; second by Commissioner Turner. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.
- Enter executive session (administrative hearing concerning job performance): Motion by Commissioner Samet; second by Commissioner Townsend. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved (recessed to executive session; commissioners stated no other action to be taken while in session except personnel matters).

The meeting included several expressions of thanks to volunteers, county employees and partner agencies for tornado cleanup; commissioners also noted forthcoming meetings (library board at 3 p.m. in the southern room) and local operational matters. The commission recessed and returned to executive session for the personnel hearing with no additional public actions announced at the close of the posted portion of the meeting.