The Chilton County Commission office added some much needed help to its staff during its meeting on Dec. 11.

Three hires were approved and included Makesha Cleckley as an accountant, Ginger Bell in the position of Payroll and HR Director and Maranda Acreman as a receptionist.

Commissioner Joe Headley opposed during the vote for the accountant and HR director positions. He reasoning was not based on the people being hired, but was related to the amount of money that was being paid for the position.

The salaries for each position were not released during the meeting.

Commissioner Matt Mims abstained from voting on the hire of Bell, but it was able to pass with four votes.

The hires took place following the commission’s unanimous approval to lift the hiring freeze at the beginning of the meeting.

Other staff changes approved were Denise Hafer being promoted to assistant administrator and Terry Sims being reclassified as an hourly part-time employee.

The hiring did not stop there, as the commission also approved the hiring of James Johnson as a truck driver with the road department and three part-time hires to fill vacancies in the Sheriff’s Department.

County Engineer Tony Wearren also received permission to send out specifications to get sealant asphalt coating for the courthouse parking lot.

It will be divided into two separate bids, one for sealing and one for asphalt with striping included.

In other news from the meeting:

• First Baptist Church and the Commission agreed to a parking lot lease that would allow courthouse patrons to continue to use the lot, and the road department will handle basic upkeep and maintenance of the lot.
• The commission accepted the revised contract from Southern Health Partners, which includes the cost pool.
• The commission tabled accepting nominations to fill the vacancy on the M4A Board.
• The commission tabled choosing a safety coordinator for the next meeting.
• The commission approved the minutes from the Nov. 27 meeting.
• The commission approved to pay the bills.