The Chilton County Commission on Tuesday accepted county EMA Director Bill Collum’s intent to retire.

Commissioners did not take a formal vote during the meeting, but commission chairman Allen Caton said the commission needed to consider advertising the position for Collum’s replacement.

“The intent is to go ahead and start advertising and possibly get this person hired,” Caton said. “Bill’s job is an important job in the county and it will take a while for that person to transition into the job.”

Collum was at the meeting Tuesday and told commissioners he would be willing to work alongside the new person hired in helping to get them properly trained.

Collum also suggested the commission consider appointing a committee or board of two-three individuals to start interviewing applicants for the job.

“I wouldn’t vote on the applications you accept but I would sit on the committee or board as sort of an advisor,” Collum said.

Collum told commissioners his assistant Janice Cates found full-time employment in Shelby County and resigned from her position on short notice.

“I had to hire someone quickly for that position,” Collum said.

Collum requested commissioners accept Cates’ resignation and pass a resolution hiring Meliah Matthews as a temporary hire for Collum’s assistant.

Commissioners unanimously voted to accept Cates’ resignation and temporarily hire Matthews.

The commission also voted to allow Caton to sign a letter appointing Matthews as the new point of contact for the National Incident Management System (NIMS).

Cates previously served as the NIMS point of contact for the county.

Commissioners also approved to purchase a new SouthernLINC Wireless radio for Matthews to use for her job.

In other news, the commission:

•Passed a resolution to accept the nomination of Richard Whisner to the Chilton County Public Library board.

•Tabled board reappointments for the Chilton County Solid Waste Authority. The terms for the current board members of the Solid Waste board have expired. The board made recommendations to the commission for the current positions to be reappointed but commissioners decided to table the reappointments until the Nov. 25 meeting. Caton said he wanted to ask county attorney John Hollis Jackson, who was absent from Tuesday’s meeting, for clarification about the board members having staggered terms before accepting the nominations.

•Passed a resolution granting permission for Caton to sign an annual agreement with Jefferson State Community College and the county for a highway traffic grant.

•Tabled a discussion regarding pressure washing the exterior of the courthouse and handicap ramp.

•Heard from county administrator Connie Powell that the floor in the tag office was installed and renovations at the building were complete.

•Approved allowing Caton to prepare a list of specs for restroom renovations at the courthouse. Caton said he would like to prepare a list of them and bring them back for approval at the Nov. 25 commission meeting.

•Postponed the election of a new commission chairman and vice chairman until the Nov. 25 meeting.