Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Connell’s Pest Control has replaced Knox Pest Control as the provider of such services for the Chilton County Courthouse following a cease and desist letter.

The change came about after the Chilton County Commission found reason to terminate the current contract situation during its meeting on July 30. County attorney Roger Bates was involved during the process.

Leading up to the decision to pull the plug on Knox was a continued lack of fulfilling the responsibilities of the job.

No Sentricon termite bait stations were in place around the perimeter of the courthouse, and Knox had not provided paperwork of the twice-a-year inspections required.

“They have not lived up to the obligations of the bid,” Commission chairman Joseph Parnell said.

Knox was the lowest bidder and therefore received the initial bid by law, while Connell’s was the second-lowest bidder and took over in lieu of the termination.

Shanon Hamilton, recently appointed St. Vincent’s Chilton hospital administrator, came before the Commission to introduce himself and provide an update.

According to Hamilton, St. Vincent’s Chilton has received several awards recognizing patient experience. It is something he and everyone at the hospital takes pride in and wants to continue to be a top priority moving forward.

He also spoke about recently receiving a site visit from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and is hopeful of the possibility of their sleep lab being accredited by the organization.

“There’s a lot of opportunities still to grow,” Hamilton said. “That’s what I’m focused on this coming year.”

In other news from the meeting:

• The Commission approved permission for county engineer Tony Wearren to order a Dodge pickup truck from the state bid list at a cost of $28,000. The money will come from the excess in the truck fund.
• Permission was also approved for Wearren to order eight Kenworth dump trucks and bodies and one Mack tractor truck off the ACCA bid list for an estimated $1,328,969. It is a process done each year. Last year, the county made a $42,000 profit from the trucks sold and purchased.
• The Commission granted permission to parks and recreation director Gerald Arrington to hire Teddie Chambers to fill a part-time position as Minooka Park clerk effective Aug. 2.
• $4,450 of line item transfers were approved to fix damaged flooring in the park ranger’s residence at Higgins Ferry Park.
• It was also approved that no pets would be allowed in that building or any other county-owned buildings except the Humane Society. Service and police dogs will still be allowed.
• The Commission approved the Dollar General located at 1500 County Road 28 in Clanton to advertise for a public hearing for an alcohol license.
• Nominations were opened for the Chilton Water Board and for a representative for the ACCA Legislative Committee. Both will remain open for three meetings.
• Tim Watley was recommended by the Chilton Water Board to be reappointed to the position. Commissioner Steve Langston nominated Watley.
• The Commission approved to provide authorization if the Chilton County Airport is offered an FAA supplement grant.
• A pair of budget work sessions have been scheduled on Aug. 2 and 9 from noon to 4 p.m.
• The Commission approved the minutes from the July 9 meeting.
• The Commission approved to pay its bills.