Limestone County Commission approves grant, roundabout contract and property negotiations

Limestone County — The Limestone County Commission on June 15 approved a series of routine and project-focused actions, including a grant application, an engineering contract for a roundabout, multiple personnel moves, and authorization for the chairman to negotiate purchase terms on a parcel near Jefferson Street intended for an animal shelter.

The meeting opened with roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioners unanimously approved the minutes from the June 2 meeting and moved to approve claims as read on the record (amount read as “$863,88.88”; the transcript of the amount is unclear). The commission also unanimously adopted a resolution providing funding to the Retirement System of Alabama for an estimated cost read on the record as $39,534, citing Act 2026-608.

The board voted to apply for a $20,000 grant from the RC&D council to buy a Polaris Ranger for the Land and Water Conservation project at Luces Branch. Commissioners also approved a consulting and surveying services agreement with Morale Engineering to provide surveying and engineering for a roundabout at the intersection of East Limestone and Nick Davis Road.

Personnel actions included approval of seven promotions — among them Mark Herd to corrections lieutenant and Matthew Hayes to jail captain/administrator effective June 15 — and hiring approvals for several corrections officers, a temporary van driver and a solid waste employee. Commissioners likewise approved merit increases presented in the work session.

On appointments, the commission voted to reappoint Johnny Turner to represent the county on the 2026–2027 ACCA legislative committee. The motion carried with three votes in favor and one abstention; the record shows Commissioner Turner abstained.

The commission authorized the chairman to negotiate a sales price and other purchase terms with the City of Athens for a parcel near Jefferson Street for use as an animal shelter site. The motion passed unanimously; the price was described on the record as up to $350,000–$355,000 (the transcript includes both numbers and is unclear as to the exact upper bound).

In reports of officers, Commissioner Roof said paving work on Sweet Springs Road is expected later in the week and outlined additional paving plans near Piney Chapel. Commissioner Turner recounted recent storm cleanup and a needed equipment purchase after a large tree fall. Another participant, recorded as Richard Hen., reported that a recent hazardous household waste pickup processed 292 cars and thanked volunteers and staff for the operation.

The commission adjourned and announced the next meeting would be Monday the 6th at the same location.