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UNION — Tuesday’s meeting of the Union County Council included naming a vice chair and chaplain, appointment of a hospital board member, scheduling meetings with other county officials and a plan to assist Carlisle’s fire department.

The Union County Council voted to fill two elected positions within the council Tuesday evening, and votes for both positions were unanimous. The first position filled was that of Vice Chair of County Council, which went to council member Tommy Ford of Buffalo. The next position was that of County Council Chaplain, which went to council member Ben Ivey of Union.

Sheriff David Taylor spoke during Tuesday’s meeting regarding plumbing problems being encountered at the Union County Jail. Taylor explained that the jail’s plumbing was constructed with two-inch pipe, which is better suited for residential plumbing. Taylor explained that inmates have flushed wool blankets in jail toilets in an attempt to flood the jail. He said a cleaning process which includes grinding the contents of the pipes will be needed.

“This is going to be a right costly project,” Taylor said, explaining that he wanted council to be aware of the project in case it exceeds budget. “It goes back to poor design. When you have poor design, you have high maintenance costs.”

In other business, council discussed two separate joint meetings to be held with other county officials.

On Feb. 11, the council will host a joint meeting with the Union County Board of School Trustees to discuss details of the use of county facilities. One week before the joint meeting — on Feb. 4 — council will meet for a work session.

The other joint meeting — to be held within the next 90 days — will be with the Union Hospital District Board of Directors. As a follow-up to Monday night’s County Council Finance Committee meeting, council voted unanimously to appoint Lynn Lawson to fill a vacant seat on the hospital district’s board of directors. Council will also need to fill another vacancy on the hospital board in lieu of the passing of board member I.G. Vanderford.

Council also voted Tuesday to allow support agencies — such as the American Red Cross — to use vacant office space in county buildings.

The final order of business for council Tuesday night was in regard to the Carlisle Fire District. Council voted to continue its assistance of the Carlisle Fire Department in pursuing a USDA loan for the construction of a new fire department. Carlisle officials, as well as Sinclair and county council, will pursue the loan with the help of McNair Law Firm.

Staff Writer Derik Vanderford can be reached at 864-427-1234, ext. 29, or by email at dvanderford@civitasmedia.com.