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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Managing Editor

The Chilton County 911 Board approved the 2021 fiscal year budget for E-911 during a meeting on Sept. 24.

The $1,196,735 budget includes increased revenues from each of the local partners.

911 Director Terra Scott said the only increase in expenses from the 2020 was in the contracted maintenance line item by $5,000.

Scott said some of the changes were made in the 2020 budget to put money in the correct line items and account for increased costs for radios.

The fiscal year ends on Sept. 30.

The Board also unanimously approved moving Scott from interim director to permanent director for Chilton County E-911.

“I think you have done a fantastic job,” board chairman Joseph Parnell said.

Board member Sheriff John Shearon agreed.

Kelly Smitherman was also approved as assistant director.

A separate bank account was also established for the emergency communications radio system. Payments for infrastructure would come out of this fund.

“Just to keep everything separate, I think we need a separate bank account that is strictly for the radio fund,” Scott said.

The names of the board chairman and vice chairman will be put on the account.

Scott said those working to construct the system have purchased the steel and should be moving forward with the construction of needed towers soon.

Fiber optic cable connections are also getting closer to needed sites.