Three members of the Chilton County Commission were recently recognized for public service and educational achievements.

Commissioners Bobby Agee and Lamar “Heedy” Hayes were honored by the Association of County Commissions of Alabama (ACCA) for their many years of service to county government and the state. Agee has served on the commission for 24 years and Hayes for 20 years.

“Commissioners Agee and Hayes deserve the thanks of all Alabamians for their dedication to public service and personal sacrifice,” ACCA President Debbie Wood said in a release. “Considering the extraordinary challenges county commissioners face every day, they have continually served their constituents with honor and pride and they deserve a pat on the back from everyone in Chilton County.”

ACCA presents the Tenure in Office Award annually to honor commissioners who have served at least 16 years in office. The award is given for four-year increments thereafter.

Commissioner Shannon Welch joined the elite group of county officials by completing 50 hours of education from the Alabama Local Government Training Institute (ALGTI) on the basic responsibilities of the county commission.

Welch was first elected in 2012 and graduated from ALGTI in less than a year, which is his earliest opportunity.

The program emphasizes budgeting, personnel matters, planning, and road and bridge responsibilities. This educational program started in 1994 as a mandatory program for first-time county commissioners by act of the Alabama Legislature. It is a joint effort between the Association of County Commissions of Alabama and Auburn University and classes are supervised by the ALGTI board of directors, composed of county officials, educators and members of the Alabama Legislature.

“No matter how much experience you bring with you, county government is highly specialized, so new commissioners find they have much to learn,” ACCA Executive Director Sonny Brasfield said in a release. “We are especially proud of the commissioners who were first elected in 2012 who have made their education a top priority. They wasted no time and should be commended for their dedication to their county responsibilities.”

The Association of County Commissions of Alabama is a statewide organization representing county government in Alabama. ACCA promotes improved county government services in Alabama, offers educational programs for county officials and their staff members, administers insurance programs for county governments and employees, offers legal advice and represents the interests of county government before state and federal organizations and agencies.”