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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Managing Editor

The Clanton City Council unanimously approved pay increases for the Clanton Police Department during a voting session on Nov. 23.

Each hourly position received a $1 an hour more with some receiving slightly more to keep the pay rates competitive and fair.

“I appreciate the job that you do, and I know that everybody else does in town,” Mayor Jeff Mims said.

Police Chief Erick Smitherman had requested the pay raises and presented comparisons to other departments in the region during a work session.

Mims announced the police and fire chiefs’ offices are moving to Clanton City Hall.

Raises were also approved for Senior Center employees from $7.25 an hour to $10 an hour. The manager of the program was also made a full-time employee.

Mims said the employees run the Clanton Meals on Wheels food distribution program, and the state has said Clanton has as many as 230 meals a day being delivered, which is far more than similar cities in the region.

Also during the meeting, the Council:

• Approved $15,000 as payment to the firm, ARC Realty, that helped negotiate getting Dollar General to lease the former Fred’s location in Park Plaza. Councilman Sammy Wilson explained this was their fee and was not going to Dollar General. Dollar General is renting the building from the city.
• Approved a beer and wine license for consumption off of the premises for Dollar General in Park Plaza.
• Approved a beer license for consumption on the premises for Game Zone, contingent on the company signing a memorandum of understanding agreeing to keep the alcoholic beverages contained to an adult-only area of the building. Councilman Billy Singleton explained this was something not required by law, but the Council wanted to add this requirement since the facility does have activities for children. Singleton said the business owner has been open to this restriction.
• Approved 90 days for two employees and making a part-time employee full time.
• Accepted the retirement of a truck driver from the sanitation department.