The Chilton County Commission awarded a contract to Alabama Bridge on Monday for its bid of $159,305 to replace a bridge on County Road 455.

The bridge, located east of Clanton, had washed out due to floodwaters from a creek in the area. County Engineer Tony Wearren said the channel would need to be widened and the bridge elevated to prevent future flooding.

The price of the bid includes a pre-cast bridge, which is less expensive than a site-built bridge, and all necessary labor. Wearren estimated the project would take approximately two months.

“We desperately needed this bridge. Thank you very much,” said Nolan Easterling, a resident of the area.

Commissioner Heedy Hayes, formerly of Alabama Bridge, abstained from voting on the measure.

In other business, the commission named Donna Wyatt of the Board of Registrars as street file manager over the county’s voter registration system. In that position, Wyatt will maintain boundaries for different precincts and precinct parts.

Mary Chambers was named as power lock administrator and election administrative assistant, meaning she will help maintain the system and determine who is allowed to make updates.

The decisions came after a significant percentage of voters were left off the voter registration list during the June Primaries. Probate Judge Bobby Martin said eight of the first 10 voters in Maplesville were excluded from the list.

Chambers said the new titles will allow county personnel to receive much needed training on the system. Training will be handled by the Alabama Secretary of State’s office.

“It’s always changing. They’re always updating it every few months,” Chambers said. “It will be really nice to have that extra training.”

Two public hearings will be held this week regarding county business. The first is a budget hearing, scheduled for Tuesday in the upstairs commission room at 5 p.m. The purpose will be to discuss revenue.

The second is a public hearing on the proposed 1-cent sales tax increase, scheduled for Thursday at the Maplesville Library at 6 p.m. The library is adjacent to town hall on Main Street.

The commission also accepted a $1,000 highway traffic safety grant from Jefferson State. The grant funds overtime in the sheriff’s department and runs from Aug. 20 through Sept. 6.