The Chilton County Commission renewed its contract with CivicPlus, which is a database that serves as the county’s weather alert system.

The contract went into effect two years ago and costs the county $8,100 a year.

According to Commission chairman Allen Caton, prior to the current contract the county was paying about $30,000 to $40,000 a year to upkeep the former siren system.

CivicPlus is an online database that is designed to inform residents in the county of impending severe weather.

The program sends out calls, texts or emails to inform residents of inclement weather. It pinpoints certain areas that will be impacted and sends out an alert to those living in the threatened areas.

According to EMA director Derrick Wright, there are 11 new sirens that the county maintains.

The City of Clanton has its own emergency siren system that it maintains.

In other news from the meeting:

• The commission approved for the chairman to sign off on a health care services agreement with St. Vincent’s.
• The commission approved the purchase of two Canon copiers. One of the copiers will be placed in the county administrator office for $183 a month, while another will go to the road department at $220 a month.
• Brian Stracener was reclassified as a full-time deputy with the sheriff’s office effective March 10.
• The commission approved a resolution to adopt a revision to Chilton County Transit’s drug and alcohol policy.
• The commission approved a resolution from the transit department for the chairman and county attorney to execute the fiscal year 2018 Certifications and Assurances.
• Christine Brown was appointed to the Workforce Board.
• The commission approved to post for a maintenance position due to the resignation of Nathan Thornton effective March 23. The position will be posted with the same required qualifications and pay rate.
• The commission approved the county attorney’s request to pay excess funds back to a landowner.
• Dave Dunlap with American Fidelity Insurance spoke to the commission about employee benefit options. It was tabled for a future work session.
• An executive session was called by county attorney Fletcher Green to discuss pending litigation and the character reputation of an employee.
• The commission approved the minutes from the Feb. 26 meeting.
• The commission approved to pay its bills.