LIMESTONE COUNTY, AL (WAFF) -
Dozens of Limestone County residents packed the County Commission meeting Tuesday morning, expecting a vote on whether to change the commission to a unit system for of government.
That vote never happened, but the debate continued.
Commissioners decided to remove the vote from the agenda because of the concerns of residents.
During the public comment part of the meeting, the unit system was the only topic residents discussed.
Limestone County Commission Chairman Stanley Menefee said switching from the district system to a unit system would increase efficiency.
"Not having to have four motor graters, maybe just having two in this county. Not having to have four bulldozers - one would probably be sufficient," Menefee said.
He added that by sharing road work equipment and services across district lines, the county could save up to $2-million a year.
"I don't want to be broke and then take action. I want to take action before we get there," he said.
But some residents, like Jason Black, are against the unit system. Black said he worries it will affect the level of real democracy in Limestone County.
"If we allow our county commissioners to relinquish their powers to a county engineer, who's to say that we really have any voice or say in any type of local government?" Black said.
"It's not something that's taking away power from a county commissioner. A county commissioner is still a county commissioner, and they make final decisions," said Menefee.
Limestone County Commissioners now want to hold public meetings about the unit system.
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Commissioners decided to remove the vote for a unit system from the agenda because of residents' concerns.
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