An unimproved public right-of-way has been vacated by the City of Hartselle. 

The right-of-way in question – lying east of the east right-of-way for Interstate 65 and west of the west right-of-way for Lando Cain Road – was vacated by Hartselle City Council Aug.  11. The move was designed to facilitate development of a new residential subdivision.  

The request was made initially to Hartselle Planning Commission and passed on to the council for approval Aug. 4 after layout and engineering plans for the new Cain Park Development were approved.  

It was submitted by Adam Davidson, manager of Davidson Homes, and Curt Bannon, sole member of Greenbriar Holdings. 

The right-of-way, known as East Byrd Road, has long been considered a private farm access “but is shown as a public right-of-way on county tax records,” according to city planner Jeremy Griffith. 

In other council business, the city’s 2020-2021 operating budget appeared to be in good shape after it was reviewed in detail by Mayor Randy Garrison, city clerk-controller Rita Lee and members of the council during a work session before and after the regular meeting.  

“Revenues have held up rather well, despite the coronavirus pandemic,” said Garrison. “We’re sticking with last year’s revenue numbers while we anticipate a growth in sales tax in the new year. 

“I feel comfortable where we’re at,” he added, “and I expect 2020-21 to be another good year.” 

The council also approved the following action items: 

• a contract with Eddie Hicks for delivery, setup, poll worker training and machine testing for the municipal election to be held in Hartselle Aug. 25 and, in the event of a run-off, Oct. 6  
• budget transfers for the police department of $1,247.08 from radio repairs to computer expense – to replace two shared computers in the patrol workroom – and $32,961 from capital projects to vehicles to purchase a Ford F-150 crew cab pickup 
• budget transfer requests from public works of $13,463 from funds acquired from the sale of surplus equipment to purchase a 2020 Ford F-150 pickup truck, with $1,175 from sidewalks to be used for purchase of the pickup 
• budget transfer request from development to transfer $27,000 from Grant Match Airport and $2,500 from engineering expenses to purchase a new vehicle 
• budget transfer requests from the library to move $610.67 from meetings and conferences to library books and materials and $420.30 from office supplies, leaving a balance of $538.79 in meetings and conferences