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It is summer time, which means local residents and tourists are looking to enjoy the outdoors.

The Chilton County Commission has put a vested interest in its county parks, Minooka Park and Higgins Ferry, of late and that continued during a July 14 teleconference.

Donald Giles was reclassified from park ranger to park director at Higgins Ferry. The reclassification included a pay increase.

A resolution was also passed allowing Higgins Ferry to purchase materials to help in the upkeep of the grounds.

The supplies included hand gardening tools, such as round point shovel, square point shovel, spade, posthole diggers, garden rake and leaf rake to go with a gas-powered pole saw, small chain saw and pressure washer.

Giles also informed the Commission that Higgins Ferry Park needs a pole barn and a newer model truck.

The Commission did not act on the barn or the truck at the time but did approve a resolution to solicit bids and pay to repair docks at Lake Mitchell.

The attention eventually turned to Minooka Park with the approval of $16,109 to purchase materials needed to connect water to 18 camp sites at the park.

The Chilton Water Authority will provide the equipment and labor for the project.

Playground equipment for the Minooka Park campground area was approved to be purchased for $42,090.

Posting for an emergency hire for Higgins Ferry and Minooka Parks was also approved.

In other news from the meeting:

• The speed limit was decreased from 45 mph to 35 mph on the paved portion of County Road 305.
• EMA Director Derrick Wright was authorized to solicit quotes for apparatus to clean and sanitize county buildings. He must forward the quotes to the chairman and administrator for consideration.
• The chairman and county administrator were authorized to take all necessary steps, including the expenditure of funds, in order to restore, recover and repair all county data files and operation systems and to prevent future attacks on its systems.
• The Commission approved $45,500 in line item transfers requested by the Sheriff’s Office.
• A resolution was passed to open a Transit Escrow account with the chairman, co-chairman and administrator as signatories.
• Eight dump trucks and one lowboy tractor were permitted to be ordered from the state bid list and will be delivered February 2021. County Engineer Tony Wearren will be pursuing 2021 Kenworths.
• Bobby C. Ray and James L. Nelson were hired as truck drivers with the road department.
• The Commission went into an executive session before the meeting with county attorney Roger Bates to discuss controversies not yet being litigated but likely to be.
• The minutes from the previous meeting were not available for approval.
• The Commission approved to pay its bills.
• July 28 is the next scheduled Commission meeting, which is likely to be another teleconference format.