In 2019, Gov. Kay Ivey signed into state law the Rebuild Alabama Act which created an annual grant program that set aside more than $10 million from a share of new gas tax revenue for local projects across the state.
On Friday, Aug. 16, the Limestone County Commission did their part in holding true to their side of the bargain, passing their 2025 Rebuild Alabama Plan for the upcoming 2024-2025 Fiscal Year.
“When they passed the gas tax a few years ago, they only gave the county and state so much,” Limestone County Commission Chairman Collin Daly told The News Courier. “But, they were really big on accountability, so every year we have to report where our portion of the money went to.”
The Rebuild Alabama Plan has a strong focus on infrastructure, so any of the awarded money went to city and county roadways and bridges. Daly said that they have to have every dollar accounted for to continue their eligibility for the plan.
“We have to gather the information each year, advertise it and put it out to show that’s what the gas tax money is going towards,” Daly said. “That way they know it’s not spent on anything but roads.”
In other business the commission:
— Approved budget revisions for Emergency Management Agency (EMA), totaling $27,788.49.
— Approved to re-appoint Chairman Collin Daly to serve on the 2024-2025 ACCA Legislative Committee.
— Amended the staffing plan under “Appraisal Department” to add a temporary chief appraiser trainee.
— Amended the staffing plan under “License Commissioner” to add an additional help desk clerk making a total of two of those positions.
— Approved various merit increases for multiple county employees.
— Approved the sale of a 1994 GMC Loader Truck from District 3 on GovDeals.com.