Chilton County rescinds prior land offer amid conflict concern, then authorizes negotiations with Clanton for 3-acre parcel

The Chilton County Commission rescinded a February 24 motion offering a three-acre parcel adjacent to the new courthouse to the city and then moved later in the meeting to authorize commissioners to negotiate a sale of the same property to the City of Clanton at a price of $180,000.

Chair (voice 1) explained the February 24 resolution — which would have offered three acres of county property for $180,000 — was rescinded after Commissioner Bone was reported to be employed as a city policeman with the City of Clanton. Chair (voice 1) said he contacted county attorney Ben Goldman, who told him the arrangement "could possibly" present a conflict of interest. Because no official action had been taken by the commissioner in question, the commission opted to rescind the prior motion and revisit the matter with clearer wording and appointed representatives.

Commissioner (voice 4) later moved to re-offer the parcel, change the delivery name, and remove the term "negotiate" from the earlier motion so the county would make an offer rather than authorize open negotiation by the delivery person. Commissioners emphasized attorney-drafted language should be used in any formal document.

After taking a short recess to obtain the correct paperwork, the commission resolved to authorize Commissioners Williams and Headley to negotiate a purchase-and-sale agreement with the City of Clanton for a 3-acre portion of the former Sims property at $180,000, with final approval of terms to return to the commission and contingent on Clanton City Council approval. The motion passed 6–1 (one abstention). Chair (voice 1) noted the agreement would be returned to the commission for final approval before any contract is signed.

The commission also announced the new courthouse dedication will be June 29 at 10 a.m.