By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

CLANTON — Chilton County vice chair Joseph Parnell gave a “state of the county” update at the Chilton County Chamber of Commerce luncheon on March 7.

“We are in a transition time now with new a commission,” Parnell said. “This is the first time I have been a part of the transition … and it has been different. We have a very strong commission.”

He said he was “pleasantly surprised” by the way things have gone.

Three new members joined the commission after the November election.

“Those guys were really excited about change in Chilton County. I think they might be a little frustrated that we can’t change quickly enough,” Parnell said.

Revenue is a hurdle to change in the county because the county revenue is mostly from ad valorem taxes. (The county does not receive sales tax revenue for general operation.)

Parnell said the commission looks at “ways we can cut expenses” to do the most with the revenue it does receive.

“At the same time we picked up three new commissioners, we lost some of our senior leadership,” Parnell said.

The commission’s attorney of 49 years also resigned, as did the county administrator.

He said the commission has filled the positions temporarily.

An out-of-town attorney was chosen for the interim position. Parnell said a local attorney will be chosen as the county attorney in the near future, and the commission had not wanted to give any local attorney “an advantage when it came to an interview” by serving as the interim.

The commission has also appointed Terry Sims as interim county administrator.

The search for a more permanent person for each of these positions will start in the near future.

Parnell also highlighted the progress of St. Vincent’s Chilton has had. He commented that use of the hospital “has far exceeded what was anticipated, and financially that it great for the county. The more profitable that hospital is, the sooner we can pay it off.”

While things may seem to be paused on the industrial park, Parnell said there is work being done behind the scenes on prospective industries.

One of the changes the commission is also working on is eliminating litter through clean up and education efforts.

“We have a tremendous problem with litter control,” Parnell said.

He encouraged those in attendance to join a clean-up crew.

Replacing old bridges through a grant that was received is also a focus for the county.

While Parnell acknowledged the county’s roads need attention, he said funding is not available at this time to address all of the issues. The commission hopes to apply for federal funding when it becomes available.

“We have paved a lot of roads. We have gotten grants. We have done what we can within our budget,” Parnell said.

Parnell said the tax from alcohol sales will be used for striping.

Another challenge Parnell said the county is facing is people who are not working, but are not looking for jobs.