EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated to reflect the tire program is open to residents and farmers.

One of Limestone County’s most popular beautification programs will be making a return in the next fiscal year.

At Monday’s meeting, the Limestone County Commission approved a $150,000 grant from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management for the collection and disposal of scrap tires. The grant will be active until Sept. 30, 2021.

All four commissioners have praised the program and its value to residents. Without it, the dumping of old tires was much more prevalent.

“I’m glad we were able to get another grant because this is a good program,” District 2 Commissioner Steve Turner said. “It keeps the tires out of the ditches.”

Of course, the program doesn’t eradicate the tire dumping issue completely. Last spring, District 3 Commissioner Jason Black had to enlist the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office in an effort to find out who was dumping tires in his district. Two men were ultimately arrested and charged as part of a little-used law that prohibits someone from transporting more than eight tires at a time.

Limestone County first received the grant in spring 2012 and has since received $300,000. County officials estimated about 115,000 tires were recycled over the five-year period.

With the previous grant, trailers were left at each county shed for residents to drop off their tires. When the trailers filled up, they were emptied and returned.

District 4 Commissioner Ben Harrison wanted to reiterate the program was strictly for residents and farmers, not for tire dealers.

“I think we can make it last for the three-year period if we don’t take tires from dealers,” he said.