Commissioners voted unanimously to close County Road 3319 between CR 3347 and 3304 at Monday’s meeting.
The decision came after County Engineer Russell Oliver asked commissioners to suspend rules and act on his new report of the damaged roadway.
“The whole road is in danger of caving in,” Oliver said.
A damaged cross drain caved in Monday night, causing one side of the road to slope.
A flagman will be in place this morning to divert traffic to CR 3347, a dirt road that runs from 3319, north to 3304.
Based on a project recently completed by the county, Oliver estimated the cost of fixing the road at about $25,000, if the roadwork can be completed in-house.
The project may qualify for FEMA funding because the damage was related to a storm. Because the road is used by many and classified as a major connector route, commissioners Ray Goodson and Charlie Harris said the repair could not wait on FEMA money.
“Based on the information given, it’s a danger to somebody’s life,” said  Goodson.
Commissioners also approved the start of direct deposits for county employees. Goodson questioned why people could not have the freedom to choose a paper check over direct deposits.
“I don’t want a (debit) card and don’t intend to get one,” he said. “I want to see my check. That’s just me.”
McKenzie Wilson, the county’s human resources coordinator, said the switch to direct deposit would not save the county money if she had to do payroll in two different ways.
Those who do not want to do direct deposits do have the option of applying for a personal exemption from commissioners.
Rules were suspended for several matters Monday evening. They were suspended to grant Probate Judge Wes Allen permission to advertise in-house to fill a clerical position.
Rules were suspended to reschedule the next commission meeting to April 29 because the April 28 date Confederate Memorial Day, a holiday for the county.
And Goodson asked to suspend rules in order to name a road in his district after the late Judge Frank Stinson.
Goodson pulled out a petition signed by 29 residents of County Road 3309, asking for the naming.
“This is what his neighbors thought of him. He was a friend of the community. Everybody knew him,” Goodson, who also counted Stinson as a friend. “I can say this, he was the best turkey hunter I’ve ever known.”
In other news,
Chairman Homer Wright reported that trash pick-up needed improvement after skipping an entire road of homes;
County administrator Harry Sanders reported the courthouse was in need of several repairs; and
Commissioners granted Oliver permission to advertise for two temporary part-time positions to get the roads department through growing season.