The Pike County Commission voted Monday to reopen the commission office accounting position hiring was frozen earlier this year.

The request came at the recommendation of County Administrator Harry Sanders to fill the slot that has been vacant for the last seven months.

“The county has acted to freeze hiring and close this position, and all that is asked is the commission consider reopening this position,” Sanders said.

Sanders said having the accounting position would lead to stronger accountability in the county office, and commissioners approved in a 4-2 vote to allow to advertise the position among current county employees.

But, this topic, which has been in discussion for weeks, did not pass without strong opposition.

“We don’t need to hire anybody at this given time,” said District 5 Commissioner Charlie Harris.

“We need to continue as we are operating right now, and if the tax in Pike County picks up, then we can consider hiring a person in that position.”

Harris made a motion the issue be forwarded to another meeting, but the motion failed.

Then, he and District 1 Commissioner Homer Wright were the only two to vote against filling the vacancy.

The position starts at an approximate $33,000 annual salary, which would still save the county money in filling the slot at a beginning rate.

The commission also discussed the contract for security at the Pike County Courthouse, which is up for renewal in September.

The commission will request proposals from security companies before making a decision on whether to renew with current contractors Twin City.

And, at the request of Probate Judge Wes Allen, the first six parking spots on the two rows of parking closest to the courthouse will be labeled as “customer only” spots in the near future.

Sanders said Allen’s request was to keep employees from parking in customer spaces.

The next commission meeting will be held Aug. 10 with a public hearing on the closing of Fernell Road at the 5:15 p.m. work session.