The Franklin County Commission held a public hearing Aug. 16 at 8 a.m. concerning the vacating of the remainder of Hollow Drive; however, no one attended to speak on the issue. This was followed by the regular county commission meeting at 8:30 a.m.

The commission reminded people that the main street through downtown Russellville is normally closed starting at about noon the Friday of the Watermelon Festival, which will be this Friday.

In other business, the commission approved a bid for chest compression devices for the EMA through the CDBG-CV grant: 14 units for $211,359.26. These devices will be distributed among all the volunteer fire departments.

The commission also approved a number personnel changes and other matters across county departments:

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

• Approved bid for $108,800 from Midway Trailers for the Mobile Medical Trailer, in connection with CDBG-CV grant, and approved the grant resolution.

• Approved NW Alabama K9 Search and Rescue mutual understanding.

REVENUE COMMISSION

• Approved hiring of non-certified property appraiser Lucas Sheppard, effective Aug. 9.

SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT

• Approved retirement of heavy equipment operator John Burcham, effective Aug. 1.

• Approved hiring of John Burcham on a temporary basis as a part-time heavy equipment operator about two days per week.

• Approved hiring of Matt Miller on a temporary basis as solid waste technician.

• Accepted resignation of heavy equipment operator Josh Burcham.

• Approved to advertise for a full-time heavy equipment operator.

• Approved hiring of Ricky Johnson as a temporary heavy equipment operator.

• Approved hauling disposal contract extension.

SHERIFF’S OFFICE

• Accepted lateral transfer for Heath Boyles to dispatch officer from corrections officer.

• Approved hiring of part-time temporary corrections officer dispatcher Valerie Landers.

• Approved resignation of corrections officer dispatcher Shelly Hill.

• Approved inmate medical services with Southern Health Partners for $212,158.56 per year.

HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT

• Approved the vacating of Hollow Drive.

• Approved Fiscal Year 2022 Transportation Plan.

• Approved resuming maintenance of Grissom Road. It currently meets the minimum standards.

• Approved bid on tree saw attachment.

• Approved the bidding out of a limb mulcher.

COMMISSION OFFICE

• Approved bid for janitorial supplies for fiscal year 2022.

• Approved purchase order cutoff.

• Approved removing continuous years requirement for retiree insurance reimbursement.

COURTHOUSE

• Approved highest bid by Jamie Medley of $551 for step van.

• Approved re-bidding of Crown Victoria since no bids were turned in.

APPOINTMENTS

• 911 Board: Approved resignation of Roy Gober, reappointment of Chris Hargett, appointment of Mary Glass and appointment of Andy Devaney.

• DHR Board: Approved resignation of Cindy Smith and decided to table appointing someone new for now.

• Library Board: Approved reappointing Rebecca Massey; approved reappointing Mary Mills – based on her indication of intent, pending receipt of a letter from her formally stating that; approved the resignation of Barbara Ayers; and approved the need to seek someone to fill this spot but agreed to table it for now.

• Safety Committee: Approved Mary Glass, Leah Mansell, Jason Baggett, Mark Latham, Teresa Qualls, Gene Ward and Bill Cheatham to make up the FY 2022 committee.