On April 9, the Dade County Board of Commissioners held a special called meeting to vote on three time-sensitive items.
Two of the items involved fire services. The commission approved an updated Fire Protection and Rescue Services Agreement, which now requires fire departments to submit rosters for insurance and worker’s comp coverage. The board also approved a lease agreement for the county to insure fire department vehicles.
The third item involved a potential environmental project at the county-owned Sells Lane property. Stephen Bontekoe, director of Limestone Valley RC&D Council, presented an opportunity through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ “in lieu of fee” program. This program uses payments from developers who impact waterways to fund restoration in the same watershed.
Bontekoe said Dade could benefit from this program, with possibilities ranging from small recreational upgrades to moving Lookout Creek back to its pre-1950s path. The commission approved submitting a notice of intent before the May 31 deadline but will wait for more project details before making a final decision.
The project would likely take years, and any final agreement would include long-term conservation easements. Commissioners agreed to proceed cautiously, only moving forward if the project clearly benefits the county.