Welch made a motion to allow Price Ceiling to renovate the ceiling in the commission chamber for $3,125 with the funds coming from the Capital Improvement Fund.

Commissioners unanimously voted for the repairs to be done.

The commission heard a report from Jana Zuelzke with Child Protect Children’s Advocacy Center and Chilton County Sheriff’s Department; Investigator Jeff Cobb regarding child abuse cases in the county.

Zuelzke told commissioners the number of child abuse cases in the community continues to increase with roughly 140 cases reported this year.

Zuelzke compared the number of cases this year to the 100 cases reported last year.

Zuelzke shared with the commission that when a child abuse case is reported, Cobb will receive the case and contact the Chilton County Department of Human Resources (DHR) as well as contact the Children’s Advocacy Center.

Zuelzke asked the commission to consider giving a monetary amount to the Children’s Advocacy Center this year.

“Unfortunately, the number of child abuse cases is going up in this county and for one child to receive all of the services we offer at the center, it is about $1,000 per child,” Zuelzke said. “Multiply that by 140 cases and that is our budget.”

Caton told Zuelzke that the commission would look into her request due to commissioners working to prepare a budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

“It is budget time and if you can prepare something for us to look at, we will be happy to look into it,” Caton said.