Featured image: Members of the Rainsville city government, DeKalb County Commission, Rainsville Chamber of Commerce, and Rep. Nathaniel Ledbetter cut the ribbon on the new Rainsville Municipal Annex.

By Tyler Pruett

tyler@southerntorch.com

RAINSVILLE, Ala. — On Wednesday, the City of Rainsville hosted an open house and ribbon cutting for its newly renovated city annex facility. Doors were opened at 5 p.m. for members of the public to view the new office space. Mayor Nick Jones, the city council, and DeKalb County Revenue Commissioner Tyler Wilkes attended the ribbon cutting, along with members of the DeKalb County Commission, the Rainsville Chamber of Commerce, and State Rep. Nathaniel Ledbetter.

The annex will serve as the new Rainsville home to house the revenue commissioner and probate judge’s Rainsville offices. Since 2001, both offices have been located in the basement of the Rainsville Police Department. Employees will have more room in the new office space and will be able to better provide services to residents.

Area residents may purchase their Alabama auto license plates and pay their property taxes at the annex in Rainsville. Dekalb County citizens may also buy driver’s licenses, hunting licenses, business licenses and boat licenses at the convenient branch office.

Rainsville’s municipal court and the city council meetings will be held in the new meeting chambers. The city council had been meeting at the Northeast Alabama Agriculture Center and the municipal court at the Tom Bevill Enrichment center.

Renovation work began in the fall to what was known as the “Weekly Post Building,” located between city hall and Body Vision. The move will also alleviate parking problems caused by the police department, county offices, and citizens visiting the offices all using the same lot.

The city council and the mayor began contracting on the work in October. All were in attendance today for the ribbon cutting.

“It’s a huge asset for the city and we are happy to have it,” Councilman Joey Graham said.

The building needed extensive renovations before it could serve as the city’s new office space, costing $202 thousand. While costly, the new addition will greatly contribute to the efficiency of the government offices and ease access for residents needing to take care of business at the probate and revenue office.

“It greatly improves access for the citizens of Rainsville,” Councilman Rodger Lingerfelt said.

“It’s going to be great for the citizens to come and do their business here. We’re happy to have made this dream come true,” Councilman David Holt added.

Mayor Jones also weighed in, saying, “This new facility will benefit both the citizens of Rainsville and the people of greater DeKalb County. The annex offers and upgrade in terms of work environment for city and county employees alike.”

The first city council meeting in the new municipal annex will be on Thursday, May 19 at 5:00 p.m.