Foley, Ala. - The Elberta Town Council unanimously approved a motion at Tuesday's meeting to hand over management responsibilities of Fireman's Hall to the town's volunteer fire department.

The council agreed to lease the building to the department for $1 a year, and the lease will be renewed every two years.

Fire Chief Steve Kirkpatrick, who is also a council member, requested the change, stating is was unfair for the department to pay for the utilities and not have the power to run the facilities.

"If we're going to pay for it, I think we should own it and get the revenue," he said. "We pay the bills. We just want to run the building."

The department pays an average of $500 a month for power, and the building brings in revenue for being rented out for events.

Councilman Jim Hambry agreed with the fire chief.

"The fire department is taking all the liability for the building," he said. "The town rents the building and the fire department pays the bill."

Councilman Don Koontz Sr. proposed the lease agreement.

"If we did a long-term $1 a year lease, the town would still own the building," he said, noting the town cannot just hand over ownership of a building.

Kirkpatrick said the department managing the building would not change how the building is managed. It would still be rented out for town events and still be a public building, he said.