SILVERHILL — The town of Silverhill will begin looking for a new chief for the town’s small police force.

The Silverhill Town Council voted at its regular meeting Monday to advertise for the position. Alvin Coggins, who had served the town since November of 2002, submitted his resignation at a special meeting called Monday, July 9, citing health concerns.

The town currently employs one full-time officer. At full strength the department includes a chief and two full-time officers. The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Department will help with patrols, along with other temporary help, until the chief’s position is filled.

The council also opened bids for its debris contract at the special meeting. Bids were opened from eight different contractors. After opening and discussing the bids, the council determined that a few had some things missing and some things not address.

The council voted to turn the bids over to the town’s attorney for a recommendation. No recommendation was made at the regular meeting on Monday.

In other business Monday, the council voted to sponsor Jordan Johnson for the National Today’s Girl competition, donating $250 to send the Silverhill youth to competition next week in Dallas.

Johnson was crowned Alabama’s Today’s Miss during competition June 29-30 in Gulf Shores. Today’s Girl’ is a scholarship based program which encourages the development of talent, academic achievement and an awareness of the need for young girls to improve their social environment through community service.  The goal of ‘Today’s Girl’ program is to offer a positive environment which allows today’s girls to develop poise, self-confidence and character, while developing tomorrow’s leaders.

This is the first year that Today’s Girl Youth Organization has held a pageant in Alabama. Competitors from nine states in multiple categories will compete at the state competition.

Before Monday’s council vote, Johnson had raised $900 of the $1,500 necessary to make the trip to Dallas for the competition.

In other business Monday the council:

— Voted to send police officer Kim Wasdin to school Aug. 15, 20 and 21. There is no cost for the classes.

— Voted to purchase 50 more garbage cans for the town. Superintendent of Utilities Steve Williams said there were only had a few cans left of the initial purchase. The Utilities department has been leasing cans to town residents at the rate of three or four a week.

— Authorized Williams to send the town’s garbage truck out for repairs.

— Authorized Lower Alabama Search and Rescue to solicit donations within the town limits.

— Voted to advertise for a temporary position in the Utilities Department for someone to cut grass during the summer months.