Limestone County Commission approves $1.9 million in claims, several personnel actions
April 20, 2026 | Limestone County, Alabama
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The Limestone County Commission unanimously approved claims totaling $1,899,688.06 and a series of personnel and administrative measures at its April 20 meeting.
The commission approved the minutes of April 6 and then moved to approve county claims in the amount of $1,899,688.06. Commissioner Gatlin moved to approve the claims, and Commissioner Townsend seconded; the vote was recorded as unanimous.
The commission approved an employment agreement between the county and Emily E. Zale effective April 20, 2026, through April 19, 2027, pending county attorney approval. Commissioner Gatlin moved the motion and Commissioner Townsend seconded; the agreement passed by unanimous vote.
Other approved personnel actions included a modification to the county staffing plan to add one captain trainee, an adjustment to the starting pay for Deputy Sheriff Michael Knowles to grade 17, step D (retroactive to April 20), and merit increases for county employees. The commission also approved four hires — Wendy Lucas and Jeffrey Shafer as corrections officers (effective May 4 pending drug screening), Olivia McNatt as kennel technician (effective May 1), and Weston Cowell as equipment operator in District Two (effective April 21 pending drug screening). Motion authors and seconders were recorded on the floor for each item, and each was approved unanimously.
The commission appointed Alan Griffin and Tammy Waddell to the DHR board after a motion by Commissioner Townsend and a second by Commissioner Gatlin. A contract modification to add additional legal research tools from Westlaw at an estimated $2,500 per year was approved following a motion by Commissioner Roark and a second by Commissioner Turner.
The commission also approved subdivision plats as submitted by County Engineer Heath Black and approved removal of specified items from the Sheriff's Office inventory. All of the above motions were approved by recorded unanimous votes.
The meeting adjourned with the next session set for Monday, May 4. The actions above were procedural approvals that will be implemented by county staff as recorded in the minutes.
The commission approved the minutes of April 6 and then moved to approve county claims in the amount of $1,899,688.06. Commissioner Gatlin moved to approve the claims, and Commissioner Townsend seconded; the vote was recorded as unanimous.
The commission approved an employment agreement between the county and Emily E. Zale effective April 20, 2026, through April 19, 2027, pending county attorney approval. Commissioner Gatlin moved the motion and Commissioner Townsend seconded; the agreement passed by unanimous vote.
Other approved personnel actions included a modification to the county staffing plan to add one captain trainee, an adjustment to the starting pay for Deputy Sheriff Michael Knowles to grade 17, step D (retroactive to April 20), and merit increases for county employees. The commission also approved four hires — Wendy Lucas and Jeffrey Shafer as corrections officers (effective May 4 pending drug screening), Olivia McNatt as kennel technician (effective May 1), and Weston Cowell as equipment operator in District Two (effective April 21 pending drug screening). Motion authors and seconders were recorded on the floor for each item, and each was approved unanimously.
The commission appointed Alan Griffin and Tammy Waddell to the DHR board after a motion by Commissioner Townsend and a second by Commissioner Gatlin. A contract modification to add additional legal research tools from Westlaw at an estimated $2,500 per year was approved following a motion by Commissioner Roark and a second by Commissioner Turner.
The commission also approved subdivision plats as submitted by County Engineer Heath Black and approved removal of specified items from the Sheriff's Office inventory. All of the above motions were approved by recorded unanimous votes.
The meeting adjourned with the next session set for Monday, May 4. The actions above were procedural approvals that will be implemented by county staff as recorded in the minutes.
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