Section 45-42-162 Purpose. The purpose of this part is to provide for the economic and efficient merger of the City of Athens and Limestone County and such other political subdivisions as by formal procedures agree to participate in the merger. (Act 87324, p. 442, § 1.)
Section 45-42-162.01 Definitions. The following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them: (1) CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS. The sheriff, revenue commissioner, license commissioner, and judge of probate, and such other public offices of Limestone County which are established by the constitution or by statute. (2) LOCAL GOVERNMENT. Limestone County, and municipalities or special districts located therein. […]
Section 45-42-162.02 Merger authorized. Limestone County and any local government may merge to form a metropolitan-government. A metropolitan-government may exercise all powers and duties assigned by general law to both cities and the county in the territory merged. (Act 87324, p. 442, § 3.)
Section 45-42-162.03 Procedures for establishment of metropolitan-government. Establishment of the metropolitan-government shall be initiated by a referendum which shall be participated in by Limestone County, the City of Athens, and such other local governments wholly within Limestone County as by resolution of the governing body agree to participate as an entity. The procedure shall be […]
Section 45-42-162.04 Service districts. (a) A general services district shall include the entire area of Limestone County. Any service or function which is now or in the future assigned by state law to county government shall be performed in the general services district. (b) Urban service districts shall be formed from each city in the […]
Section 45-42-162.05 Assumption of functions of special districts. The metropolitan-government created by this part, and approved by the voters, on 60 days’ notice, may at any time thereafter assume all functions, rights, duties, personnel, property, assets, and liabilities of any independent special district operating within the geographical jurisdiction of the metropolitan, which district may thereupon […]
Section 45-42-162.06 State shared revenues. The metropolitan-government shall not receive less in state grants, general support payments, shared revenues, or otherwise than the total amount that would have been received by each participating government if consolidation had not taken place. Future state shared revenues shall be calculated as for counties in the general services district […]
Section 45-42-162.07 Powers of metropolitan-government The metropolitan-government shall have all the powers granted to municipal corporations and the county governments by the constitution and the laws of the state together with all the implied powers necessary to carry into execution all the powers granted. The metropolitan-government may acquire property within or without its corporate limits […]
Section 45-42-162.08 Elections. The metropolitan-government shall be governed by a commission of nine part-time members and a full-time mayor. The election for the first officers of the metropolitan-government shall be held on the date established by the judge of probate. Before such election the governing body of the municipalities and the county shall cause the […]
Section 45-42-162.09 Duties of mayor and commission. The mayor shall preside at the meetings of the commission and shall be recognized as the head of the municipal government for all ceremonial purposes and by the Governor for purpose of military law. A mayor pro tem shall be elected from the membership by a majority vote […]
Section 45-42-162.10 Powers of mayor. (a) All executive and administrative power of the metropolitan-government shall be vested in the office of the mayor and such other departments, offices, agencies, boards, commissions, and authorities as are authorized by this part or as are recommended by the mayor and are approved by the commission. (b) The mayor […]
Section 45-42-162.11 Powers of commission. All powers of the metropolitan-government including all powers vested in it by this part, the constitution, and the general and local laws of this state. The determination of all matters of policy shall be vested in the commission. (Act 87324, p. 442, § 12.)
Section 45-42-162.12 Compensation of mayor and commission. After the first term the mayor and each commissioner shall receive as compensation for their services the sum established by the metropolitan governing body at least six months prior to the date of the election. (Act 87324, p. 442, § 13.)
Section 45-42-162.13 Appointment of metropolitan manager. (a) The mayor shall appoint, subject to commission approval, a metropolitan manager, who shall be an officer of the metropolitan-government, and shall have the powers to perform the duties required. No sitting member of the metropolitan-government shall be appointed manager. Any civil service act (applicable to the municipality) shall […]
Section 45-42-162.14 General officers. The offices of sheriff, revenue commissioner, license commissioner, and judge of probate as established by the constitution or by statute shall be maintained. The salary of each office shall be set by the commission in accordance with general law. The terms of office of these officers shall not be affected by […]
Section 45-42-162.15 Elective officers. (a) The sheriff shall have such duties as prescribed by Alabama law except that the sheriff shall not be the chief conservator of peace. The function of chief conservator of peace is transferred to the chief of police as provided for by the metropolitan-government. The sheriff shall be responsible for the […]
Section 45-42-162.16 Judge of probates. Nothing in this part shall have effect upon the judicial powers and functions of the judge of probate as provided by the general laws. All fees, commissions, emoluments, and perquisites of the office of judge of probate shall accrue to the metropolitan-government. (Act 87324, p. 442, § 17.)
Section 45-42-162.17 Transition. (a) The transition period shall be directed by the provisions contained herein. The level of services during transition shall not be below the level of service previously provided by the respective government. (b)(1) Not later than six months after assuming office, the commission shall adopt a plan for the reorganization of service […]
Section 45-42-162.18 Planning and land use controls. (a) A planning commission shall be established and shall have authority to institute, under the general laws of the state, land use controls for the metropolitan-government. The planning commission shall consist of nine members, one member appointed from each of the nine election districts. (b) The planning commission […]
Section 45-42-162.19 Schools. (a) Within 18 months from the time metropolitan-government is placed in effect, the respective school boards of the city and the county shall plan for and implement a metropolitan-government school district which effects the merger of the two existing districts in accordance with existing procedure in Alabama statutes for such mergers. (b) […]
