City approves community funding
Published 10:51 am Tuesday, February 13, 2018
By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer
The Clanton City Council unanimously approved $25,163 toward the Industrial Development Board hiring an economic developer during its meeting on Feb. 12.
The funds are the city’s portion of the projected salary, which is being divided based on population amongst each of the governments in Chilton County.
Mayor Billy Joe Driver said the annual amount for the salary could change once someone is hired.
Council members also approved the annual $15,000 appropriation to the Chilton County Chamber of Commerce.
Pavement projects were also a consideration, as Driver recommended the council approve striping the parking lot for the Clanton Conference and Preforming Arts Center.
“I would like to get that restriped, so that you can see where you are at night,” Driver said. “I have no idea what it is going to cost, probably not that much.”
Councilwoman Mary Mell Smith made the motion. Councilman Sammy Wilson requested that striping the parking lot at the YMCA, which rents the building from the city, be added to the motion. The motion for both restriping projects was unanimously approved.
The project would include the back parking lot of the Clanton Conference and Preforming Arts Center, not the entire Jefferson State Community College Campus, and the YMCA of Chilton County parking lot.
Also during the meeting, the City Council approved:
— Waiving the business license fee for the Kiwanis Club to have a spring carnival on April 10 to 14.
— Moving the District 4-4 polling place to the Senior Citizen Center near United Way and the Emergency Assistance Center.
— Transferring a beer and wine license from Rite Aid to Walgreens because Walgreens has bought out the Rite Aid.
— Sending a resolution to the Alabama Legislature in reference to House Bill 110 on sales and use tax. According to Driver, the Alabama League of Municipalities has asked for municipalities to send resolutions asking to correct issues with the distribution of these taxes to local governments from online purchases.
— Contributing $116,420 to a joint road project with the county. The project would improve a road in Lomax near Jackson Chapel Church. Driver said the county has a federal grant for the project and is required to pay 20 percent of the cost. The city’s portion is half of this required match.