Sheriff Kevin Davis asked members of the Chilton County Commission on Monday to allow him to use county property for a volunteer group that would assist the agency.

Davis called the group a “posse” that would consist of volunteers, some on horseback, to help deputies for things such as a missing person or in the event of a disaster.

“I think this is a good thing and I support it,” Davis said. “A lot of people are on horses and they usually can help during a search and rescue when they go out on horseback.”

Davis said the group has already started meeting but wanted to know if the commission would allow them the use of a building to serve as the location for the meetings.

“We met in the courthouse the first time but we need a place we can meet regularly,” Davis said.

Davis asked if the commission would allow the group to use the Chilton County Cattlemen’s barn located near the Chilton County Airport.

“The area would be a great place to get inside if we had bad weather,” Davis said. “It is a perfect place to try to build something positive for the county.”

Davis said the group could potentially grow to more than 200 volunteers.

“We would do background checks to make sure those volunteering would represent the sheriff’s department well,” Davis said.

Davis told commissioners the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office was currently trying to build a posse along with several other counties in Alabama.

Commission Chairman Allen Caton told Davis the barn was leased to the Cattlemen’s Association and he would have to contact them about using the property.

Commissioners voted to allow the “posse” to meet at the Cattlemen’s Association barn.

Davis also asked commissioners for the authority to apply for an Adam Walsh grant that would be used for anything involving crimes against children.

“We could get up to $200,000 from the grant,” Davis said.

Commissioners unanimously voted in favor to allow Davis to apply for the grant.

The commission voted to allow Davis to sign a contract to continue the phone service at the Chilton County Jail.

Davis told commissioners the contract for the phones was up at the jail and he needed permission to sign a two-year extension on the contract.

Davis clarified for commissioners that the phone system was the phone service for inmates.

In other news, the commission:

•Heard from county administrator Connie Powell who reminded commissioners about scheduled interviews for Tuesday at 6 p.m. to begin the interviewing process for the new Chilton County Emergency Management director.

•Scheduled a work session for March 17 at 6 p.m.

•Passed a resolution allowing Caton to sign a contract with Hometown Productions for the distribution of free county maps.

Everyone voted in favor.

•Passed a resolution allowing Powell to start cleaning up the outside of the courthouse.

Powell told commissioners she would like to landscape the area and remove some of the bushes in front of the courthouse.

Everyone voted in favor.

•Passed a resolution approving Stephanie Hubbard to full-time status at the Chilton County Sheriff’s Department.

•Met in executive session for more than 40 minutes after Caton told commissioners he would like to discuss a building purchase. Hayes also requested to meet under good name and character.