The Limestone County Commission on Monday agreed to transfer $21,900 from the county’s property tax fund to its motor vehicle fund to purchase a pickup truck for former commission chairman and current economic development liaison David Seibert.

Chairman Mark Yarbrough said Seibert needs a truck because he’s overseeing renovations at the former Judicial Center on Jefferson Street. Yarbrough added the truck would replace Seibert’s previous county owned car — a $3,000 sport-utility vehicle that died after 2 ½ years of service.

Seibert has played roles in previous renovation projects, including the first floor of the Limestone County Courthouse several years ago. He also assisted in the demolition of the interior of the former Kroger Building on South Jefferson Street to make room for the new Athens-Limestone Public Library.

The Judicial Center, formerly the Better Living building, was purchased by the County Commission in 2013 for $1.4 million. It served as the temporary courthouse for more than 2 ½ years as the Limestone County Courthouse underwent extensive renovations.

Yarbrough said county employees, under Seibert’s direction, are making changes to the interior of the building so it can accommodate at least three county agencies — Council on Aging, Community Corrections and Pardons & Paroles. He explained the COA would have “about 35 percent” of the 12,000-square-foot building with the other two agencies splitting the remaining space.

Yarbrough said Council on Aging needs more room because staff members share cramped quarters inside the Athens Senior Center at 912 W. Pryor St. He’s also concerned those close quarters could lead to lack of privacy for seniors’ information as set forth in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, better known as HIPAA.

He wanted to stress, however, that a COA staff member would continue to be present at the center.

Yarbrough said moving Community Corrections and Pardons & Paroles from the Crutcher Shopping Center would save the county in the long run. He explained the county pays about $30,000 in rent each month to house county agencies.

The county maintenance office is also located in the Crutcher Shopping Center, but Yarbrough said no decision has been made regarding where it would move.

Elsewhere Monday, the commission welcomed members of Limestone County Schools’ Faculty Senate who were there to observe county government at work. All the commissioners thanked the high school students for attending the meeting.

“Enjoy these years of education because after that, you’ve got to go to work,” Yarbrough told them. “Pick a vocation you’re passionate about because you’ll be doing it a long time, unless you win the lottery.”

Tire ire

District 3 Commissioner Jason Black said Monday the people who have been dumping tires in his district may soon be charged. Black first reported May 1 that about 125 tires had been dumped on James Drive, which runs south off Nuclear Plant Road.

“We may have found the culprits involved; the Sheriff’s Office will be handling that,” he said. “I would like to thank the people who called in and followed the (suspects’) truck to Decatur.”

Black said he’s also seeking information about who dumped a “big bunch of stuff” off Huntsville-Browns Ferry Road.

“It looks like they just gutted a house,” he said.

Other business

In other business, the commission:

• Awarded a bid in the amount of $819 to Printers & Stationers Inc. for the printing of envelopes for the Limestone County License Commission;

• Approved Jimmie Eaves as a part-time equipment and bush hog operator in District 4, retroactive to April 17; and

• Employed William Schmeider as a part-time laborer in District 2.

Commissioners’ reports

• District 2: Commissioner Steve Turner said his crews would be bush hogging soon and cutting limbs after some bus drivers reported limbs hitting school buses. He also asked Engineer Bryant Moss about the status of a malfunctioning left-turn traffic signal on U.S. 72 at the intersection of Mooresville Road.

Moss said he’s been in contact with the Alabama Department of Transportation, which recommended changing out the controller.

“We’re trying to get a quote on that,” Moss said. “(ALDOT) believes that will solve the issue.”

For now, Moss said the signal has been switched to “cycling” mode, which means the turn light may be activated whether anyone is waiting to turn or not.

• District 3: Black said weed spraying started in his district last Monday. He said mowing would begin June 1;

• District 4: Commissioner Ben Harrison said tile work has been completed on the east side of Parker Road. He said barriers are still up at the Quinn Road bridge, as work continues to improve approaches, and would remain up until shoulders are improved.

Lastly, Harrison said ditching would soon begin on the east side of Parker Road, which would generate a lot of dirt. He said if any homeowners want free dirt and live within a mile or two of Parker Road, give him a call at 256-614-9087.