The Chilton County Commission approved a resolution request from County Engineer Tony Wearren to award Wiregrass Construction with the bid of placing hot bituminous (asphalt) on various roads in the county.

Wearren stated that Wiregrass was the lowest and most responsible of two bids, with the other being Dunn Construction.

According to Wearren, Wiregrass is ready to begin as soon as the contract is completed.

He also updated the Commission that the five-mile patching project on the second part of County Road 5 had been let and will have an estimated cost of $367,000.

Wearren stated that there is $366,000 remaining in federal aid.

Commissioner Allen Caton provided an ALFA Farm Center update stating that there is a little bit more wetland on the property than first expected, but the architects are working around it.

According to Caton, some of the parking may be decreased, but it should not appear to have a further impact than that.

The process of repairing the hole in the wall of the jail cell where the recent prison break occurred was approved and awarded to Concrete Plus Construction Company.

The repair is estimated to cost $5,200 and will be paid for through the jail maintenance fund.

According to Sheriff John Shearon, after looking at the damaged wall he did not think it was built properly when the jail was constructed 20 years ago.

The Sheriff’s Office also had bids awarded to Keefe for the jail commissary, Cellcom for the jail cameras and Unique Security for the jail doors.

A resolution was also passed modifying Minooka Park’s payment process. The park will no longer accept cash payments for charges more than $200.

Anything more than $200 will now have to be paid by a credit/debit card. Cash will still be an acceptable option for payments less than $200.

In other news from the meeting:

• The commission formalized the commissioner assignments for 2020. The assignments can be found at chiltoncounty.org/commission.
• Route 6 Trading Post LLC was approved to apply with the state for an alcohol license. Commissioner Jimmie Hardee opposed.
• The Commission passed a resolution allowing Wearren to be the delegation of authority and sign electronically all required ADEM reports, permits, etc. The reports had previously been filed by paperwork, but it is now mandatory to be filed electronically.
• Ashley Gargus was re-classified as a full-time deputy sheriff effective Dec. 14.
• A resolution was approved to renew the contract with a pay increase for part-time accountant Terry Sims.
• A Commission office request was approved to increase the pay rate for employee Makesha Cleckley. It will be effective on her anniversary date Jan. 2.
• The county’s fiscal year 2019 financial statement was approved and will be published on Dec. 31.
• A resolution was approved to open a debt service bank account with signatories.
• The Commission approved a request by county attorney Roger Bates for a resolution to authorize the general obligation 2019 warrant, which has been worked out with River Bank & Trust’s attorney.
• The Commission approved the minutes from the Nov. 26 meeting.
• The Commission approved to pay its bills and any other bills that may become delinquent before its next scheduled meeting on Jan. 14.