County commissioners hear SHM case update, consider purchase of fire truck

The Decatur County Commissioners met for their first meeting of the month on Tuesday morning. Following the invocation and the pledge, the commissioners moved to add an additional item to the agenda, that being an update from the county’s legal counsel, Bruce Kirbo, in regards to the open meetings case involving Safer Human Medicine. Safer Human Medicine had filed a motion to intervene in the citizen’s lawsuit against the local government bodies. Kirbo informed the commissioners that, on Friday, the judge had ruled to allow Safer Human Medicine to intervene in the case as a party.

“From my standpoint, and I always could be wrong,” Kirbo said, “but I think it’s clear that we and others violated the Open Meetings law, and I think it’s clear that the act provides that anything we did at that meeting is not binding… it’s the citizens of Decatur County who have the right under the Open Meeting law to call government institutions out when they violate it.” He concluded, “So ultimately I don’t think it’s going to change the outcome of that litigation at all, but Safer Human Medicine is going to have the opportunity to state their position.”

Next on the agenda, the commissioners considered a lease agreement for a solar development, which had been brought up at the previous meeting. County Administrator Alan Thomas recommended that the issue be pushed until the next meeting, to allow for further discussion. The commissioners approved this.

Following this, Fire Chief Charlie McCann addressed the commissioners about purchasing a new fire truck. McCann informed the commissioners that one of their older Attapulgus trucks is no longer in production, with most buyers currently being collectors. McCann recommended selling the truck, which was estimated to go for between $3,000-$3,500, while the truck McCann was considering would cost $10,000, though he stated elsewhere it might have sold for around $30,000. The commissioners voted to approve.

After this, the commissioners approved of surplus equipment, which was to be transferred to the district attorney’s office.

Next, the commissioners considered an alcoholic beverage license application, for Katina D. Shazier of Shazier Solutions, LLC. Having met all the requirements, the application was approved.

Lastly, the commissioners gave their closing remarks, and the meeting was adjourned.

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