The Morgan County Commission is pursuing a state grant to fund improvements to the Morgan County Archives facility on Grant Street in Decatur.

The commission voted to seek an Alabama Historical Commission grant for interior upgrades to the building and to develop a website at its regular meeting on Aug. 14.

Commission Chairman Ray Long said the grant program offers funding for archives projects without requiring a local match.

“Our archives building is much in need of interior upgrades and the development of a website will be a valuable public service,” Long pointed out.

Recently, the façade of the building was restored with the assistance of a grant.

In another matter, the commission approved a request from District III Commissioner Don Stisher to appropriate $10,000 to Falkville High School for campus improvements.

Stisher explained that the money is needed to help fund a campus-wide improvement project, which includes a drainage upgraded south of the football stadium and softball and baseball fields.

The commission acted on other matters as follows:

•Authorized the chairman to execute an agreement with Godwin, Barnett, Woods Architects in the amount of $231,000 for architectural services for the Morgan County Jail Annex, payable out of the Capital Improvement Fund.

•Authorized the chairman to exercise the option to renew the lease agreement between Morgan County and the Alabama Emergency Management Agency for 950 sq. ft. of floor space in the courthouse basement for Morgan County EMA offices. The lease will be for one year in the amount of $11,5 400, payable $940 monthly.

•Approved the payment of the following claims for excess proceeds arising from the revenue commissioner’s tax sale, payable out of the General Fund: Jimmy Shane Hitt, $3,840.49; Jerry and Virgil (Virginia) Stewart, $18.114,74; Jo Ann Congo, $19,451.64; and Larry and Angela Earp, $17,488.61.

•Approved payments from the Tourism, Recreation & Convention Fund as follows: Racing Horse Breeder’s Association, $2,500; Morgan County Sports Hall of Fame, $500; Priceville High School, $175; Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (Racking Horse fish fry), $2,500; and Hartselle Enquirer (Southern Hospitality), $400.

•Authorized the creation of an additional Dispatcher I position (Grade 2, Step 1) in the Morgan County Area Transportation System and authorized Debra Garner, director, to fill the position.

•Authorized the chairman to renew an agreement with Charter Communications for the county’s Internet service at a cost of $575 per month, payable out of the General Fund.

•Authorized the chairman to execute an agreement with Charter Communications for an attorney’s Internet service at a cost of $500 per month, payable out of the General Fund, Data Processing budget.

•Declared a 2005 Sterling as a surplus vehicle in the Environmental Services Department and agreed to advertise it for sale on govdeals.com.

•Approved payment of $3,218.56 to Caddell & Shanks PC for legal services provided in July, 2012.

•Approved payment of $3,218.56 to travelers Insurance for legal services pertaining to claims filed against the Morgan County Commission as follows: Glenda Lockhart (sheriff), $2,936.06; and Dentarious Jackson (sheriff), 282.50.

•Approved payment of $1,373 to the Association of Tennessee Valley Governments for membership service fees for the Morgan County Commission, effective Oct. 1, 2012 through Sept. 30, 2013.

•Approved payment of $3,000 to the Alabama Mountains, Rivers and Valleys Resource Conservation and Development Council for membership dues for the Morgan County Commission, effective Oct. 1, 2012, through Sept. 30, 2013.