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The Chilton County Commission met for the first time in 2017 during a meeting on Thursday Jan. 12.

One of the first orders of business was the approval of Robert Spence as the interim attorney for the Commission, while the process of filling the position vacated by the retirement of John Hollis Jackson Jr.

The search is under way, as applications began to be accepted by the Commission on Friday Jan. 13.

Spence practices law at Rosen Harwood in Tuscaloosa County. He is a member of the Alabama State and Tuscaloosa Bar Association and has previously been president of the National Association of County Civil Attorneys.

“This [municipal and county law litigation] is what I do,” Spence said.

According to chairman Allen Caton, Spence is in an interim role because the goal remains to hire someone local for the position.

Another position that the Commission will be looking to fill is that of county administrator Connie Powell, whose resignation was approved during the meeting.

Each commissioner took time to say thank you to Powell after the approval was made.

“You’ve taken care of us [commissioners], and represented us as much as anyone could,” Commissioner Joseph Parnell said.

A work session was scheduled for Monday Jan. 16 at 6 p.m. to discuss what is involved in the job requirements and the process of hiring a possible replacement for Powell, as well proposed legislation for a nuisance animal bill.

Commissioner Jimmie Hardee gave a brief update on his findings involving the Chilton County Humane Society.

“There are some things that are very unclear financially,” Hardee said. “We’ve got a problem and we’re going to have to deal with it.”

In other news from the meeting, the Commission:

•Agreed to have their counsel consult with Chilton County Schools’ counsel to work out the details in regards to extending the current 1-cent sales tax for the Board of Education.

•Approved permission for Tony Wearren to advertise and hire a truck driver.

•Approved line item transfers in the EMA budget for lodging and meals, utilities and other miscellaneous supplies.

•Approved EMA Director Derrick Wright to move forward in the process of constructing the Collins Chapel storm shelter.

•Reviewed and approved the contract of Janice Hull to continue helping with financial statements.

• Discussed moving the South Chilton voting station from the fire department to Edenezer Baptist Church due to poll worker complaints. The Commission tabled the discussion for a future meeting

•Approved line item transfers in building, road and bridge fund for insurance (general liability and motor vehicle.)

•Parnell nominated Jason Calhoun and Hardee nominated Sharon Patterson to serve on the Mental Health Board of Chilton and Shelby Counties. A decision will be made at the next meeting on Jan. 23.