Chilton County approves full HVAC replacement at Tag Office, orders appraisal to move transit operations

The Chilton County Commission on May 27 approved replacing the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system at the Tagg Office and authorized an appraisal to support relocating the county transit operation to that building.

County staff told commissioners the vendor offered a short-term compressor repair for $6,900 or a full replacement for “15.07” (as read into the record), and recommended the full replacement. “This should get us through until our new courthouse is completed,” a county staff member said about the repair option. The motion to approve the full replacement specified the $15.07 figure and passed unanimously after Commissioner Bone made the motion and Commissioner Headley seconded it.

Commissioners also voted to authorize an appraisal of the Tagg Office to support a request to the Alabama Department of Transportation for permission to relocate transit there. County staff said ALDOT requires an independent appraisal and will reimburse 80% of the appraised “fair rental value” once the process is approved. “We will pay for the appraisal. They reimburse 80% once they approve it,” county staff said. Commissioners approved the appraisal motion unanimously.

The commission discussed security and parking benefits if transit moved to the Tagg Office, citing thefts and vehicle break-ins at the transit facility and saying the Tagg Office lot could accommodate the fleet. Commissioners noted some vehicles at the current site are not operable. The commission did not set a timeline for the move; staff said further ALDOT steps would be required before any relocation.

The replacement and appraisal motions were recorded as formal county actions; commissioners did not specify additional funding sources during the discussion.

The commission also instructed staff to handle necessary ALDOT paperwork and appraisals as part of implementing the decisions.