Chilton County declares local emergency after March storms; orders storm-path debris pickup and approves consent agenda

The Chilton County Commission on March 25 declared a local emergency for damage from storms that began around March 14 and continued through March 16, then directed county agencies to begin debris collection for properties in the storm ffected path and approved a large consent agenda of personnel and project items.

Chairman Williams read a proclamation declaring that "emergency conditions exist throughout Chilton County," citing the Alabama Emergency Management Act of 1955 and county code provisions authorizing emergency procurement and activation of the emergency operations plan. The proclamation sets an expiration date of June 17, 2025.

The declaration matters because it authorizes county agencies to use emergency procurement procedures and directs coordinated recovery actions that may qualify the county for state or federal disaster reimbursement. Heath Sexton, county engineer, clarified that debris pickup will be limited to areas "deemed in the path of this storm, not past storms," and that FEMA requires vegetative and construction debris be separated for collection.

The commission directed the road department to make two passes for debris pickup in affected areas and said crews will collect on county-maintained and on non-maintained roads if they are safe for equipment. Residents should report debris for pickup through the county website's road department form with name, address and contact phone number; the commission said the deadline for the emergency pickup service is June 17 and that the county will make two collection passes total.

The meeting also approved a broad consent agenda that included minutes and claims, personnel hires and transfers across the sheriff's office, corrections, parks and road departments, awards and final invoices for ongoing county projects, P25 radio funding requests using ARPA earnings, and a resolution to allow storm victims to stay in county parks for two weeks at no charge. The commission voted to accept the consent agenda unanimously.

Votes at a glance - Proclamation of local emergency (storm-related): Motion by Commissioner Perkins, second by Commissioner Childress; outcome: passed unanimously. Expiration: June 17, 2025. Authorities cited: Alabama Emergency Management Act of 1955; Alabama Code (31-9-10 referenced during discussion). - Consent agenda (minutes; claims; sheriff's grant award for a virtual-reality training simulator; personnel hires/transfers including two full-time corrections hires; invoice No. 6 to Cassidy Company for $5,227.03 for road water project; P25 funding request using ARPA earnings; road work approvals; parks hires and transfers; equipment bids and advertisements; resolution to allow storm victims to stay at parks two weeks at no charge; animal control temporary hires; and other routine items): Motion by Commissioner Bohm, second by Commissioner Hall; outcome: passed unanimously. (Detailed line items were read into the record.)

Other formal actions - Resolution to accept a resignation from the Central Alabama Wellness Board (Sylvia Singleton): Motion by Commissioner Childers, second by Commissioner Bohm; outcome: passed unanimously; nominations to fill the vacancy were opened and will remain open through the next meeting. - Hiring approval for John Childress as a full-time correctional officer, effective March 29: Motion by Commissioner Hall, second by Commissioner Bone; outcome: passed with one abstention (as recorded). - Peach Pageant ad, $350: Motion by Commissioner Bone, second by Commissioner Perkins; outcome: passed with one abstention. - Approval of invoices for Tom's Tractor: Motion by Commissioner Bone, second by Commissioner Hall; outcome: passed with one abstention.

Discussion and next steps Chairman Williams and staff emphasized how residents should prepare debris for pickup: separate vegetative and construction debris, place material as close to the ditch as safely possible without blocking the road, and submit the county online form to request pickup. The commission said it will make two collection passes and encouraged residents to have all material ready before requesting a second pickup because follow-up passes are limited.

The proclamation and debris collection plan place operational responsibilities on county departments and create a formal record that the county may use when coordinating mutual aid or seeking state and federal assistance. The commission also said county staff and individual commissioners can be contacted via the county website for questions about pickup or eligibility.

Ending The commission completed the agenda-portion business and moved to other appointments and appearances; the emergency proclamation and the debris-pickup directions will remain in effect through June 17, 2025, unless the commission amends or extends them.