The public is invited to come out and HAM it up with local amateur radio operators.

The Limestone County Commission has declared June 27 as Amateur Radio Field Day.

Radio operators will conduct an emergency-preparedness exercise at the Emergency Management Agency building off West Market Street at Hine Street.

More than 20 local licensed amateur radio operators provide volunteer radio communications when violent weather threatens or when other emergencies occur.

Commission Chairman David Seibert presented a certificate of proclamation to amateur radio operator Joe Ivey at Friday’s commission meeting.

Other business

In other business, the commission took the following action:

• Accepted a $100,000 grant agreement with the Appalachian Regional Commission, which requires a $122,000 county match, to install fiber-optic cable for video-conferencing between all county buildings and the EMA office.

• Revised a memorandum of understanding between the Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments to increase from $3,500 to $4,000 the amount of a grant to help senior citizens convert to digital television.

• Amended the staffing plan to add one appraisal clerk trainee, grade 4, to the Appraisal Department and change equipment operator 3 to five positions and equipment operator 2 to two positions in District 4.

• Hired a temporary jailer for up to one year to replace Andrew Vickers, who has been called up for active duty.

• Close the courthouse and annexes on Clinton and Jefferson streets from noon to 1 p.m. July 1 for an employee luncheon.