CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman City Council at its Sept. 14 meeting approved the city’s FY2027 budget. It also welcomed a senior from Enterprise, Alabama, Jaiden Bloodworth, who is the president and founder of youth-led nonprofit All the Same Alabama.
Budget
The Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-146, approving the city’s FY2027 budget, which goes into effect Oct. 1, 2026. The total Geneal Fund budget is $58,427,213.
It also disclosed that for FY2026, the city’s revenues decreased 1.3%.
City Clerk Wesley Moore shared, “Normally our revenues increase every year by 3%, roughly, on average. This year that wasn’t the case, as our revenues went down 1.3%. I’ve been here 21 years and revenues have only gone down one other time.”
He expressed that finalizing the FY2027 budget was not easy. “This took a lot of teamwork between department heads and the mayor and council working together. I really feel like this budget is going to provide high-quality service to our citizens. It values the city employees and their hard work to our community. It shows that even during a difficult year, you can balance a budget.”
He continued, “In addition, we gathered some additional information that will held with the development with a Comprehensive Strategic Plan which will provide direction and vision for our community moving forward.”
The official budget presentation is available at cullmanal.gov.
All the Same Alabama
This summer, along the many special initiatives held around the state, All the Same Alabama held a Hydration Tour donating hydration supplies to first responders. Bloodworth noted that All The Same Alabama would be donating water bottles to the first responders in the city. He stood with Cullman Fire Rescue Chief Darren Peeples and Councilman Chuck Shikle.
“We try to do initiatives like this to make sure that the work you do every day does not go overlooked,” Bloodworth said. “Thank you for welcoming me into your city. You have the best first responders I’ve ever seen. I have a lot of friends in Cullman and they’ve spoken a lot about you all.”
Recovery Month
Mayor Woody Jacobs and the Council proclaimed the month of September 2026 as Recovery Month.
The proclamation reads that it will, “encourage all citizens to promote hope, support recovery and help reduce stigma.”
Jacobs stated, “A lot of City of Cullman employees have gone through recovery programs. We’re glad of that – we’re proud of that. One thing that helps that happen is that you’ve got a built-in support group amongst the employees.”
He continued, “We’ve had great success and we’ve had great employees. There’s no stigma with us. If you work hard, we like ya.”
Ordinances approved
The Council approved Ordinance No. 2026-49, which will amend Section 22-50 of the Code of Ordinances to adopt the 2021 International Fire Code published by the International Code Council and the 2021 Life Safety Code 101. This is in accordance with Code of Ala. 1975, § 11-45-8, setting rules and regulations to conditions hazardous to life and property from fire or explosion.
The ordinance will also amend Sections 22-85, 86, 87 regarding open burning. The act of open burning will require a permit and must be 500 feet from homes, other occupied dwellings and roads whereas smoke could lead to driving visibility issues. This also requires the constant supervision of the fire with a garden hose or fire-extinguisher nearby. Burning will only be allowed for untreated wood and vegetation between 8 a.m.-3 p.m. with no added vegetation after 3 p.m.
The Council also approved Ordinance No. 2026-50. This ordinance aims to delete Chapter 58 Vegetation and replace Chapter 32 Nuisances to reduce the duplication and overlap of information about grass and weed nuisances, property upkeep, citations, enforcements, liens and abatements.
First readings
The Council held a public hearing and first reading of Ordinance No. 2026-43, which amends the Zoning Ordinance to prohibit any new detached single-family housing in residential (R-4) zoning.
This ordinance will replace Sections 52, 53, 54, 55 of Residential Districts, adding Section 56 Design Quality Standards, and removing Section 93 Attached Single-Family Dwellings from Chapter 62 Zoning in the Code of Ordinances, which received a favorable recommendation from the Planning Commission.
Council President Kim Hall called on Chief Building Inspector Brandon Lewis to speak on the matter.
Lewis clarified, “Over the past months the Building Department has shared the proposed changes with local groups including local realtors and local builders. We’ve received a lot of feedback and cooperation from them – positive feedback on the changes proposed.”
He stated that these changes will create more options for builders, while encouraging higher quality for building as well. He noted the favorable recommendation from the Planning Commission in August 2026 and the Building Department recommended that the Council adopt this.
The Council also had a first reading of Ordinance No. 2026-51, which will replace Section 181 will follow the City of Cullman Personnel Handbook which lists rules, guidelines, regulations and any related policies.
Section 182 will give the city clerk, city treasurer, police and fire chief who, already having some level of authority, the ability to maintain that authority pertaining to city employees and to have a say in the creation of policies.
Section 182 reads, “The city clerk, city treasurer, police chief, and fire chief may only be removed by a two-thirds vote of the city council elected to serve. All officers listed above must report to their designated committee chair, at least once per month, to keep the city council informed of the operations of their department. In addition to the normal duties of their respective departments, these officers shall set formal procedures for personal conduct of the employees within their departments not inconsistent with the policies set by the city council.”
Resolutions adopted
Resolution No. 2026-145 pertains to the Neighborhood Enhancement Program, created by the City of Cullman in hopes of enhancing residential homes within the city limits and setting a higher quality standard for their reconstruction.
Chris Lindsey, of 1301 Marie St. NW, applied to this program and its adoption was recommended and reviewed favorably by the Building Department.
Recommended by City Engineer Erica York and Street Superintendent Scotty Talley, the Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-150, approving the Street and Transportation Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan for FY2027. The resolution states that the City of Cullman acknowledges the importance of street and transportation infrastructure. It also notes this infrastructure as the highest capital asset and financial commitment.
Resolution No. 2026-147 E-911 makes E-911 public safety answering point (PSAP) training available to Communications Dispatch for FY2027. The Council acknowledged the importance of continued training, specifically for Communications Dispatch operators. The approved funding for the E-911 Board of Commissioners amounts to $3,333 per agency in the Cullman County district to assist E- 911 personnel in attending PSAP training.
Resolution No. 2026-148 authorizes Jacobs to enter into community service contracts for FY2027.
The resolution reads, “WHEREAS, the Cullman City Council recognizes that public services are provided to the citizens of the City of Cullman, Alabama, which improving their quality of life including but not limited to educational services, rehabilitation services, medical services, promotion of tourism and commerce, mental healthcare, and personal wellness by the following: a) American Legion Post No. 4 of Cullman, b) Child Advocacy Center of Cullman, c) Cullman 310 Authority, d) Cullman Agriplex, e) Cullman Area Mental Health (Wellstone), f) Cullman Caring for Kids, g) Cullman County Commission on Aging, h) Cullman County Health Department, i) Cullman County Public Library, j) Cullman Farmers Market Steering Committee, k) Cullman Regional Medical Center, l) Good Samaritan Clinic, m) Hope Horses, n) Liberty Learning, o) Pilot Light of Cullman County, p) The Link of Cullman County, q) United Way of Cullman County, r) Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2214 of Cullman, s) Victim Services of Cullman, t) World Changers.”
Resolution No. 2026-149 allows Jacobs to enter into an agreement with Anderson, Williams, McKinnis & Co., Inc. (AWM) so that they may administer the flexible spending account benefit plan for the city employees.
Hall noted the city may provide a workshop for employees who are considering the benefit and want to have an opportunity to meet and ask further questions.
Special event request
The Council approved a special event request submitted by Jeff Harris for car shows to be held in the public parking lot on Second Avenue Southeast on Oct 9 and Nov 13, from 6-9 p.m.
The next Cullman City Council meeting will be held Monday Sept 28, in the city hall auditorium, with a work session at 6 p.m. and regular meeting to begin at 7.
