CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman County Commission at its meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 22, approved its fiscal year 2027 budget and a lengthy list of county business items.
One of the major updates discussed during the meeting was the upcoming transition of Cullman County Water and Sanitation billing.
Cullman Electric Cooperative will no longer accept payments for Cullman County Water or Cullman County Sanitation after Sept. 25. Between Sept. 26 and Oct. 5, no payments will be accepted due to the transition of billing services.
As of Oct. 5, all payments for both Cullman County Water and Cullman County Sanitation will be handled through the Cullman County Water Department.
Officials said there will be a grace period during the transition in case customers miss the notice. Customers who currently have automatic payments set up through Cullman Electric Cooperative will need to set them up again beginning Oct. 5 through Cullman County Water and Sanitation at ccwaterandsanitation.payub.com. Additional information can be found on the Cullman County Commission and Cullman County Water Department websites.
The Commission also approved the county’s fiscal year 2027 budget, effective Oct. 1. The $94,621,043 budget includes major county funds, including the General Fund, roads and bridges, parks, water, CARTS and economic development, while excluding transfers between funds. Look for a separate full feature article on the budget.
Priorities outlined during the budget discussion included restoring county roads, bridges and other infrastructure; recruiting and retaining high-quality employees; maintaining county buildings and equipment; and spending enterprise funds efficiently using business practices to reduce taxpayer subsidies.
Several changes to speed limits on county roads were also approved. The speed limit on County Road 770 will increase to 30 mph. Officials said the previous speed limit was established when the road was a one-way gravel road and is being updated following improvements to the roadway.
The Commission also approved a 40 mph speed limit on County Road 1528 from County Road 1534 to County Road 1518 and a 35 mph limit on County Road 1528 from County Road 1518 to County Road 1488. The speed limit on County Road 1526 was set at 35 mph.
Other resolutions approved included a CARTS third-party service contract for fiscal year 2027 and a resolution allowing the sale of consumable hemp products within Cullman County in accordance with state law.
The Commission amended a previously approved 5311 grant application to reflect an amount of $919,700 and ratified a $16,000 invoice from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency to send three deputies to the APOSTC Academy.
Commissioners approved an RC&D agreement for $14,500 in putt-putt golf upgrades at Sportsman and Smith Lake parks. They also approved the purchase of a Polaris Ranger for $32,613.50 and a Lawrimore trailer for $3,105 for Stoney Lonesome OHV Park through an RTP grant.
Other approvals included an agreement with Live Family Entertainment for Monster Truck Wars at the Ag Center; an agreement with ADEM for the collection, management and disposal of scrap tires; an agreement with St. John & Associates for engineering services at the Cullman County Water Department; and a $26,000 quote from Richard Cooper Asphalt Paving, LLC for Phase 1 paving of the courthouse parking lot.
The Commission approved Alabama Department of Youth Services Agency Grant Agreements for fiscal year 2026-2027, with Cullman County serving as fiscal agent. The funding includes $200,000 for Cullman County, $79,678 for Blount County, $79,678 for Jackson County and $166,199 for Lauderdale County.
Commissioners also approved the annual $379,563.87 payment to the ACCA/CRS Workers’ Compensation Fund for coverage from Oct. 1, 2026, through Oct. 1, 2027, as well as a $17,000 Certified Local Emergency Manager Salary Supplement Subaward and the fiscal year 2026 Emergency Management Performance Grant.
The Commission ratified a $10,358.84 invoice from American Emergency Products, LLC for EMA vehicle upgrades and approved repairs to a Road Department Komatsu D51PX-22 by Snead Hydraulic & Repair LLC at a cost not to exceed $68,500.
Melanie Maddox was appointed to the Library Board to replace Tanya Allcorn for a four-year term set to expire Sept. 30, 2030. Wescoat Free was appointed to the Health Care Authority Board to replace Alan Wood for a term set to expire June 30, 2029.
The Commission approved fiscal year 2026 closeout budget amendments and approved the fiscal year 2027 budget.
Commissioners also renewed employee and retiree dental and vision enrollment with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama. Cullman County maintains self-insured dental and vision policies administered by BCBS. The renewed policies will take effect Oct. 1, while health insurance coverage will remain with the Local Government Health Insurance Program.
Changes to the Cullman County Commission Employee Handbook were approved and will take effect Oct. 1. The changes will be distributed to county employees through email, departmental bulletin boards and the County Personnel webpage.
The Commission also adopted a Health Reimbursement Arrangement and approved contracting with Employee Benefits Corporation to administer it beginning Feb. 1, 2027.
Two related items involving county dump trucks were tabled. The first proposed purchasing 10 new 2027 Mack GR64F triaxle dump trucks with attached dump bodies and trading 10 Kenworth T880 trucks, with a net trade difference of $130,000. The second item would have declared the 10 Kenworth T880 trucks surplus as part of the proposed trade.
The Commission approved its fiscal year 2027 paving list and authorized a repeater and generator project for Volunteer Fire to be funded through a $35,000 RC&D grant, with the County Commission paying the costs before reimbursement through the grant and Volunteer Fire Association.
Cullman Caring for Kids was approved to use the Board of Education parking lot to host a car show Nov. 14 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., subject to approval by the Cullman County Board of Education.
The Commission also approved a fiscal year 2027 agreement with Southern Health Partners in the amount of $849,156.24 and a $28,000 payment to Peregrine for the Revenue Department.
Vehicle purchases approved included one 2026 Ford F-150 Responder SuperCrew 4×4 for Animal Control for $47,901. The Commission also approved a purchase order to be issued on or after Oct. 1 for a $38,196 Ford Explorer for the Sales Tax/Revenue Enforcement Office and two additional 2026 Ford F-150 Responder SuperCrew 4×4 vehicles for Animal Control totaling $95,802.
Commissioners approved proposed plats for two minor subdivisions in Commission District 4. Burton Estates Subdivision will contain three lots on County Road 77 behind New Prospect Baptist Church. Avalon Farms Phase 2 Subdivision will contain seven lots on County Road 201 across from County Road 175 at the entrance to Lake Shore West Subdivision.
The Commission extended Bid No. 1489 for cold laid plant mix to Advanced Asphalt Products and Vulcan Materials Company for one year based on location and adherence to specifications.
Bid No. 1509 for service of Sheriff’s Office and other county department vehicles was awarded to BERCO, Inc., doing business as Havoline Xpress Lube. Bid No. 1510 for fog and scrub seal was awarded to Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions.
The next Commission work session will be Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, at 4 p.m. in the Commission meeting room. The next Commission meeting will follow at 6.
