Government Services

As part of the Huntsville and Decatur metropolitan statistical areas, Decatur, Alabama is the largest city and county seat for Morgan County. Just north of Decatur and 40 minutes from Huntsville, Athens is the county seat for Limestone County.

In Alabama, services are divided between the county and its municipalities. In Madison County, cities include Huntsville, Madison, New Hope, Gurley, Owens Cross Roads, and Triana. In Morgan County, Decatur is one of seven municipalities, and Athens is one of seven cities in Limestone County. The cities of Huntsville, Madison, and Decatur cross two different counties. 

Municipalities provide services within their corporate limits, while counties are responsible for unincorporated areas and most often collaborate with cities on larger projects. Because Alabama operates under Dillon’s Rule, local governments only have powers explicitly granted to them by the state. Under the state’s 1901 Constitution, the state legislature often has to pass specific “local acts” to address unique issues and concerns of different municipalities and counties.

Services that involve the counties and the municipalities include schools, police and public safety, fire protection, emergency medical services, public works and infrastructures, water and sewer, zoning and building permits, garbage and recycling, and parks and recreation. Residents can simply check with their local government to determine what services the county or municipality provides to their home or neighborhood.

In North Alabama, counties are governed by an elected commission, while municipalities are governed by either a mayor-council or council-manager system. In Madison County, one chairman and six commissioners are elected to four-year terms, while in Limestone County one chairman and four commissioners are elected to four-year terms. In Morgan County, one chairman (six years) and four commissioners (four years) are selected.

The cities of Huntsville, Madison, Decatur, and Athens operate under a mayor-council system, with an elected mayor and a city council serving four-year terms. The mayor serves as the chief executive, responsible for leadership and city administration, while the council acts as the legislative and policy-making branch.