Joseph Parnell was unanimously approved as chairman of the Chilton County Commission during its meeting on Nov. 13.

A unanimous vote approved Matt Mims as vice chairman shortly after.

Parnell takes over the position that had been held the previous six years by Allen Caton.

“Thank you guys [commissioners] for giving me this responsibility,” Parnell said. “Don’t think of me as your leader, think of me as your representative.”

According to Parnell, Caton has never missed a meeting or work session during his time as chairman.

“That sets a pretty high standard,” Parnell said. “I’m following in some big footsteps.”

Caton resigned from his responsibility as chairman to sit on the 911 board, waste board and airport authority board. Parnell will assume his role on those boards.

Commissioner Jimmie Hardee nominated Parnell for chairman, while commissioner Steve Langston nominated Mims as vice chairman.

“I hope this is the stepping stone to better things,” Mims said.

Parnell’s first act as chairman was to recognize and thank all of the veterans in the county for their service.

“Not all of us have been able or willing, but we’re appreciative of those who have,” Parnell said.

Langston is the lone veteran on the Commission.

Advertisement of the job posting for the county attorney position was also approved and will remain posted for 30 days. An addition to the job description on file asks that candidates have governmental experience.

In other news from the meeting:

• County Engineer Tony Wearren’s request to have the resignation of James Johnson rescinded was approved. The resignation had been approved during the Sept. 10 meeting, but he never left and no formal paperwork was ever submitted.
• James Dickens was hired as a full-time corrections officer at the jail effective Nov. 17.
• Alan Ray was hired as a part-time corrections officer effective Nov. 17.
• Jonathan Wright was reclassified as a part-time corrections officer.
• Larry Colburn was hired as a part-time deputy effective Nov. 17.
• Ryon Clark was hired as a part-time deputy effective Nov. 17.
• The Commission allowed county employees to donate leave time to Deborah Quince.
• The Commission approved a 3-percent pay increase for Libby Ratliff with the County’s Litter Control. “This woman has a passion for what she does,” Hardee said. “I can see a difference in our county.”
• It was approved to purchase equipment for the video recording of Commission meetings. Caton opposed the purchase and was also the only one to oppose the prior vote to recording of the meetings.
• Nominations were opened to fill two spots on the workforce board. Parnell nominated Van Forrester for his seat and Hardee nominated Pam Price to fill Christina Brown’s seat.
• Makesha Cleckley was reclassified from accounts payable clerk to the title of accountant/assistant administrator in the Commission office. No pay increase is included.
• Maranda Acreman was promoted from receptionist/clerk to accounts payable clerk. The increase in pay is budgeted.
• It was approved to advertise to fill the vacant receptionist/clerk position.
• Rachel Fulmer received a pay increase.
• It was approved that public records printed off in the Commission office will cost $1 for the first page and 25 cents for any additional page. It will not cost to look at the records.
• The commission approved the minutes from the Oct. 23 meeting.
• The commission approved to pay its bills.