Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By J.R. TIDWELL / Editor

The Chilton County Commission had multiple items on the agenda to go over during its meeting on Aug. 29.

The main item on the agenda revolved around Dollar General 20381, located at 1500 County Road 28 in Clanton.

The location requested permission from the Commission to apply for a state alcohol license.

The meeting started with a public hearing where anyone present could discuss the topic.

No one had any comment, so the Commission officially ended the public hearing portion and voted on a resolution to allow the store to apply for the license.

The resolution passed 6-1, with Commissioner Jimmie Hardee voting against.

In other business, Chilton County Probate Judge Jason Calhoun told the Commission that the polling location for people in the Union Grove area will be changing locations starting with presidential election in 2020.

The current location is at Union Grove Fire Department, but soon Union Grove Baptist Church will be the polling place.

Calhoun said he and his office appreciate Union grove Fire Department hosting the polling place during past elections. He stressed that they did nothing wrong, the change of venue is simply a matter of “growing pains” and is an attempt to provide voters more space.

The upcoming general election for House District 42 will not be affected by the change and will remain at the fire department.

Industrial Development Board Director Whitney Barlow spoke to the Commissioners about the wetlands study that has been approved for the land where the Alfa Farm Center is to be built.

An underground tank was also discovered on part of the land, and a study must be done to make sure that tank does not have any leaks.

Barlow said Alfa will soon be choosing which tress to clear from the area and any they would like to keep. She said this will likely occur between October of this year and April of next year.

Barlow also mentioned the IDB website is being renovated.

The Commission closed nominations and voted to nominate Tim Watley for the Chilton Water Authority board.

County Administrator Sylvia Singleton recommended that the Commission accept a resolution that will make online direct deposits mandatory for all county employees. The Commission passed the resolution unanimously.

Singleton said there will be an option for those people who do not want direct deposit or do not have a bank account and cannot accept paychecks in that way.

They will be able to obtain a debit card that each paycheck will be loaded on to instead.

Measure will reduce costs by eliminating the need to mail checks each pay period.