Morgan County Commission voted to purchase land for a new public health facility and assume up to $300,000 of indebtedness for the Morgan County Health Department at a regular meeting March 10.

Commission Chairman Ray Long was authorized to execute a joint agreement with the Alabama Public Heath Care Authority for the construction of a new consolidated public health care facility on a five-acre tract on U.S. 31 South near Champion Motors. The commission will pay Real Estate Broker Jeff Parker $200,000 for the property.

The commission also agreed to advance up to Health Care Authority to retire its current 2005 lease revenue bond indebtedness.

“The health department, which is currently operating in two separate buildings, needs better facilities and more space,” Long said.” We had been looking for suitable property to build on for a long time. This property is more centrally located, has been cleaned off by the owner and is near ready for construction.

“The state will provide funding for the building and we expect construction to be underway this year,” Long said.