Oct. 10--Sharing the costs of a new library in the soon-to-be renovated Kroger building should entitle Limestone County to half ownership in the facility.

The city of Athens and the county have each provided operational funds for the existing library, but the city purchased the Kroger building at auction for $650,000 more than a year ago.

Council President Ronnie Marks said at the May kick-off of the fundraising project that it should cost about $100 per square foot for renovation with the final cost of the project being about $4.5 million.

Several months ago, County Commission Chairman David Seibert asked for a clarification of state law on the makeup of public boards, should the county seek representation on the Athens-Limestone Public Library Board of Trustees.

The Athens City Council in its regular meeting two weeks ago reappointed Board of Trustee members Cliff Byrd to a three-year term; Juana Malone to two years, and Jerry Duke to one year on the five-member board. Librarian Susan Todd said at the time that state law allows for nine members on the board. She said the county could appoint the remaining four.

Friday, Seibert said, "We're not there yet, we're still making plans."

However, while the county has not entered a cash transaction with the city to purchase half of the Kroger building, Siebert said the county is beginning to commit funds toward the renovation.

"We're paying for the architect, which would have been a cost incurred by the board if we had not done it," said Seibert. "We're working on some sort of an arrangement."

Seibert said he feels the building could be renovated more economically than estimated if much of the construction labor comes from in-house with both the county and city supplying workers.

"We haven't had a meeting concerning the appointment of board members," said Seibert. "We are not there yet to begin renovations. First, we've got to get the plans finalized and then meet with the library foundation and the city to see if we're ready to embark. But we are developing plans as we speak."

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