Commission closes courthouse, county offices Monday

In a hastily-called emergency meeting Wednesday, a quorum of the Franklin County Commission voted in favor of closing the Franklin County Courthouse and non-essential county offices Monday in observance of the Fourth of July holiday Tuesday.

Although the county had previously formally approved the standard July 4 holiday, a last minute order from Gov. Kay Ivey necessitated the emergency meeting to address July 3.

“According to Alabama code, this emergency meeting is a standard process and procedure we have to go through to approve (a motion) since we didn’t have a five-day notice to do a special-called meeting,” Commissioner Rayburn Massey explained. “What we’re doing is in compliance with the code of Alabama.”

With both Chairman Barry Moore and Chairman Pro Tem Chris Wallace out of town, Commissioner Jason Miller chaired the meeting.

The July 3 holiday was called based on a declaration from Ivey, Commissioner David Hester explained in a statement, following his motion.

“Due to Gov. Kay Ivey declaring Monday July 3 a state holiday and because the Franklin County Commission follows the state holiday schedule, the Franklin County Commission approves to close the county courthouse and all county offices Monday, July 3, except in areas where it is essential to maintain personnel,” Hester said.

With the unanimous vote, the courthouse will be closed Monday as well as Tuesday.