Shelby County Commission votes to buy property next to landfill

The Shelby County Commission on Monday night voted to purchase about 80 acres next to the Shelby County landfill on Alabama 70 for $256,000 and to negotiate the purchase of an additional 42 acres.

County Manager Alex Dudchock told commissioners the owner of the 80 acres, Betty White, died, and her children offered the land to the county at a competitive price.

The other 42 acres adjacent to the landfill are owned by the Westervelt Corp., and the county has not yet reached a final price in negotiations.

The resolution approved by commissioners Monday night said the land will be used "to assist with future resources to effectively cover and manage waste on its current landfill footprint."

Commissioners also heard from Shelby County Humane Society Interim Director Judy Van Lucheme, who told them the shelter is at full capacity – something unusual for this time of year.

“We are in our off season,” Van Lucheme said. “Usually it doesn’t start getting full until around spring.”

Dudchock thanked Lucheme for her service, beginning as a volunteer for the shelter and then stepping up when she saw where she was needed.

“We have people who drop off potentially vicious animals that can’t be adopted out,” he said. “Judy saw the need for a director replacement, and for that, we’re thankful.”