County looking at leveling old jail

The Franklin County Commission took the first step Monday in what could lead to the demolition of the old county jail.

The commission passed a resolution giving the sheriff’s office 30 days to remove anything the department might need from the former jail, which is located behind the courthouse in downtown Russellville.

The commission could then look at leveling the 75 year-old structure and adding a parking area in that location.

In other business, the commission:

• approved the following annual contracts: ACCA liability insurance, long term detention subsidy contract, district attorney agreement, community corrections contract, E911 board contract, Franklin County Chamber of Commerce contract, SPAN program contract, S&W Mini Computers contract, SDS maintenance contract, HiWAAY Internet contract, janitorial supply bids

• appointed Doug Hatton to the 911 board

• appointed Jerry Groce to the NACOLG board

• accepted Martha Mashburn’s retirement from the county commission office

• hired Brent Wells as a sheriff’s deputy

• hired Nathan Weeks as a temporary employee in the sheriff’s department

 • hired Cathy Morgan as a temporary employee in the revenue commissioner’s office

• approved a floodplain management plan

• appointed Mike Mayfield to the Riverbend board.