CHILTON COUNTY INVESTS IN PUBLIC SAFETY WITH HELP FROM ONLINE SALES TAX REVENUE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CHILTON COUNTY INVESTS IN PUBLIC SAFETY
WITH HELP FROM ONLINE SALES TAX REVENUE
Chilton County joined Alabama's 66 other counties in making significant investments in public safety during fiscal year 2026, with Alabama's Simplified Sellers Use Tax (SSUT) serving as an essential revenue source amid rising operational costs.
Across Alabama, counties spent nearly $1 billion on law enforcement services this past year — with more than $570 million spent on sheriff's departments, nearly $400 million on jail operations and upwards of $70 million on inmate medical care. Together, these services represent one of the largest responsibilities of county government and require substantial annual investment.
Established in 2015, SSUT requires eligible out-of-state sellers to collect and remit use tax on purchases made by Alabama consumers, generating revenue that is distributed to state, county and municipal governments. For Alabama counties, SSUT has become a critical source of funding for essential public services, particularly law enforcement.
"Our citizens count on law enforcement each and every day, and it's our responsibility to ensure those services remain strong," said Allen Williams, Chilton County Chairman. "Maintaining that level of service requires significant resources, and SSUT revenue helps ensure we can continue funding the deputies, equipment, jail operations and other critical functions that keep our communities safe. This investment is ultimately about preserving public safety and giving law enforcement the resources needed to do their job."
With the start of the new fiscal year, county officials throughout the state are preparing a new budget to govern spending beginning Oct. 1, 2026. Law enforcement costs will again be a primary focus of budget discussions.
“In most counties, the revenue from SSUT is the only growing source of revenue. Without it, most county expenditures would be stagnant,” said Sonny Brasfield, Executive Director of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama. “Law enforcement and the operation of the county jail is the single largest expenditure in every county in our state, so everyone has a vested interest in protecting the revenue from SSUT and ensuring that it continues to fund these essential services.”
Before the creation of Alabama’s unique SSUT program, Alabama relied on voluntary remittance of use taxes owed from online purchases. Enacted more than a decade ago, SSUT is recognized as one of the most efficient and effective programs in the nation for collecting use taxes.
CAWACO RC&D MEDIA ALERT
POSTED - July 27, 2025
Cawaco RC&D and Legislature Announce Grants in Chilton County
Who: Sen. April Weaver, Sen. Clyde Chambliss, Rep. Van Smith, Rep. Russell Bedsole, Cawaco Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Council, local elected officials, media, and guests.
When: Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, 10:00 a.m.
Where: Council Chambers at Clanton City Hall
502 2nd Ave N.
Clanton, AL 35045
What: To announce $84,553 in grant funding to Chilton County area organizations. These grants are funded by Cawaco RC&D in partnership with the Chilton County Legislative Delegation.
| Organization | Project Name | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Butterfly Bridge Children's Advocacy Center | Butterfly Healing Garden - Hope Grows Here (Phase 2) | $10,000 |
| Care Net of Chilton County | Care Net Parenting Programs and Parent University | $5,000 |
| Cedar Grove Fire Department | Saving our Own | $9,153 |
| Chilton County Commission | Defibrillators for the Chilton County Sheriff's Dept | $10,000 |
| Chilton County First Response Endowment Fund | Joint Use Weapons Training Facility | $20,000 |
| City of Clanton | Clanton Police Department License Plate Reader | $8,700 |
| City of Jemison Alabama Police Department | Jemison Police Department Traffic Enforcement | $10,000 |
| Collins Chapel Community Volunteer Fire Department | Fire Hose Replacement | $6,700 |
| Jemison Quarterback Club Inc | Jemison Quarterback Club Community Mission Plan | $5,000 |
Cawaco RC&D Background: Cawaco Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that supports educational and community development projects in Central Alabama. Cawaco RC&D serves: Blount, Chilton, Jefferson, Shelby and Walker Counties.
Contact: Erin Hackenmueller, Communications Specialist — communications@cawaco.org — 659-895-0334
Press Release - New Courthouse
POSTED - July 31, 2024
Chilton County Commission
P.O. Box 1948 Clanton, Alabama 35046-1948
Phone (205) 755-1551 Fax (205) 280-7204
Randell Kelley, Chairman — 10868 County Road 24, Verbena, AL 36091
Darrell Bone, Vice-Chairman — 986 County Road 53, Clanton, AL 35045
Matthew Mims — 6303 County Road 43, Clanton, AL 35045
Allen Williams — 8585 County Road 59, Verbena, AL 36091
Jimmie Hardee — 6700 County Road 49, Clanton, AL 35045
Joe Headley — P.O. Box 1730, Clanton, AL 35046
Joseph Parnel — 60 Deer Trace, Clanton, AL 35045
Sylvia Singleton, Administrator
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Chilton County Commission and the City of Clanton Public Building Authority are pleased to announce the selection of the General Contractor retained to complete construction of the new Chilton County Courthouse facility. Brasfield and Gorrie of Birmingham, the largest general contractor in the state of Alabama, was the successful bidder for the $26 million project.
The new Chilton County Courthouse will be located on Lay Dam road, Highway 145, in Clanton. The new facility has been designed to consolidate various county agencies that include the Probate Office, Revenue Commissioner, Office of the Administrator, Circuit Clerk, Tag and Title, the Office of the District Attorney and court system to allow single visit service for residents. The new Chilton County Courthouse will replace the current facility that has been in operation for more than sixty years.
Planning for the new courthouse has been ongoing for more than two years. Elected and appointed members of the Chilton County Commission, City of Clanton and the City of Clanton Public Building Authority have coordinated their efforts to acquire the property, approve the building design, and arrange the necessary financing to complete the project.
In a joint statement, Chilton County Commission Chair Randell Kelley, County Commissioner and Courthouse Committee Chair Jimmie Hardee and Alan Childress, Chair of the City of Clanton Public Building Authority thanked those involved in reaching this important milestone:
“We are extremely pleased and grateful for the cooperative efforts of the Chilton County Commission, the City of Clanton, the City of Clanton Public Building Authority and the contributions of dedicated individuals in making this project a reality. The new Chilton County Courthouse will stand as a testament to the dedication and devotion of the people of Chilton County and to the values that define our community. This building will not only serve the needs of our current residents but is an investment in our future and in the generations that follow.”
A ceremonial groundbreaking will be scheduled at a later date. For additional information, contact the Chilton County Commission at 205-755-1551 or ssingleton@chiltoncounty.org. For information on opportunities within Chilton County, visit www.chiltoncounty.org.
7/31/2024
