At Monday's regular meeting, the Butler County Commission approved the purchase of the building once occupied by Steadfast Bridges Company for future use of the county.

"Steadfast Bridges Company has a proposal for the commission in which the county will obtain 74 acres and four buildings along with other property specified in the agreement for $300,000," said County Engineer Dennis McCall.

Commissioner Gary Hanks requested that a current survey of the land and the boundary lines be completed by Steadfast. However, all commissioners agreed that the purchase of the building is a good investment for the county. One idea presented for use of the building is to move the Butler County Road Department there to give more the department more space and to free up some of the congestion near the courthouse.

Gary Tanner of Gov. Don Siegelman's office also appeared before the commission to give a summary of the bridge replacement program which currently is underway. He commended both the county commissioners and the county engineer. "Progress has taken priority over progress, and with this mindset, we are in a win-win situation. Your engineer has surrounded himself with fine folks that have made Butler County a great place," Tanner said.

In the engineer's report, County Engineer Dennis McCall requested a be adopted resolution to enter into an agreement with the Butler County Water Authority to cover the financing of utility relocations on the Garvee Bond Issue Bridge Replacement Projects. The commission agreed to pay for 50 percent of the work to be done, with the Butler County Water Authority paying the other 50 percent.

In addition, McCall requested a resolution authorizing work to be done on the parking area at W.O. Parmer School and requested approval of material option for the purchase of sand clay from L.G. Taylor at 50 cents per yard due to the lost dirt pit because of the airport expansion project.

McCall also requested issuance a resolution authorizing the county attorney to institute condemnation proceedings on Boswell Boulevard and Castlebrook Road if the county should be unable to obtain rights-of-way from property owners. "We are down to the last few property owners and if we are unable to negotiate the rights-of-way of property owners, the commission would then be able to authorize the county attorney to start the condemnation process," said McCall.

The county is trying to receive rights-of-way from the property owners to grade, drain, base, pave and resurface Boswell Road and Castlebrook Road.

In other news, the commission also:

approved an agreement with Dr. William Watson, DVM for animal control;

appointed Commissioner Jesse McWilliams and Commissioner Frank Hickman to the Courthouse Security Committee;

set license fees for the ABC Board;

approved ad valorem taxes for 2002;

approved the minutes of the Jan. 14 meeting;

approved the architect's bill for the work on the new jail;

approved the bills for payment;

tabled the resolution with the Butler County Industrial Development Authority.