By CHRISTINE BOATWRIGHT / Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA – Before the first meeting of the fiscal year, Shelby County Circuit Court Judge Hewitt “Sonny” Conwill swore in the new County Commission Nov. 14.

Newly elected Commissioner Mike Vest was sworn in to fill the District 6 seat. Vest ousted Larry Dillard during the March primary election.

An empty leather chair marked the passing of longtime Commissioner Joel Bearden, as he died Nov. 8.

“It’s bittersweet being sworn in with an empty seat here beside me,” Commission Chairman Corley Ellis said. “We ask for continued prayers for his family. He will be sorely, sorely missed on this commission.”

Because Bearden won re-election to the commission, but had not been sworn in, the District 5 seat likely will be filled by a governor’s appointment, County Attorney Butch Ellis said previously.

The commission includes the following members: Corley Ellis in District 1, Tommy Edwards in District 2, Jon Parker in District 3, Daniel Acker in District 4, Vest in District 6, Lindsey Allison in District 7, Rick Shepherd in District 8 and Robbie Hayes in District 9.

After approving the minutes of the Oct. 22 commission meeting and approving the motion to pay the county’s bills, the commission appointed Commissioner Lindsey Allison to serve as chairperson and Commissioner Rick Shepherd to serve as vice-chairperson.

The commission unanimously approved the meeting schedule. The commission will continue to meet on the second Monday of each month at 8:30 a.m. and the fourth Monday at 6 p.m.

During the meeting, the commission took the following action:

-Awarded a bid for the county’s automated external defibrillators to DXE Medical, who submitted the lowest bit at $1,045.

-Awarded the bid for hard steel items to Batey and Sanders Inc., the only responsive bidder.

-Awarded the bid for the Shelby County Exhibition Center roof to Wayne Davis Construction for $81,900.

-Approved a resolution to purchase kitchen equipment services, as no bids were made for the project.

-Awarded bid for the Shelby County Water Services Tank T-1-N repainting and improvements to Jones Valley Industrial Construction for a base bid of $99,500.

-Granted an alcohol license to Eddie Gentry, of EZ Ed’s Grocery and Deli LLC, which is located at 356 Shelby County 54 in Montevallo.

-Appointed Claire Owens to fill the unexpired term of Brenda Bourbon on the Chilton-Shelby Mental Health Board. The term will expire April 1, 2017.