Photo shows Cullman County Bosom Buddies Founder Mary Dyer accepting the proclamation from Commission Chairman Kenneth Walker for Colors of Cancer Day.
CULLMAN – The Cullman County Commission on Tuesday held a regularly scheduled meeting, where they proclaimed April 2016 ‘Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month’ and April 2, 2016 ‘Colors of Cancer Day.’
Speaking on the Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month proclamation, Javon Daniel, executive director of Cullman Caring for Kids, shared that, in 2014, over 800 incidences of child abuse and/or neglect were reported in Cullman County. That number rose to 980 reported cases in 2015. Daniel shared, “We have a problem and the only ones that can solve it are us. And the only way we can solve it is to know more about it. When you see something, say something.”
Cullman County Bosom Buddies Founder Mary Dyer expressed her gratitude to the commission for their help and for the Colors of Cancer Day proclamation. “We saw a need to help people in Cullman County who were struggling while they were in treatment because they can’t pay their light bills, can’t pay their rent or their house payment,” said Dyer. “That’s where we came in.”
In other business, Cullman County Engineer John Lang shared his personal opinion on the current road funding (gas tax) bill in Montgomery which he feels “is a step in the right direction.” Lang went on to “encourage everyone to contact their local legislator to encourage them to support it.”
It is estimated that the gas tax bill, sponsored by Rep. Mac McCutcheon, R-Capshaw, will raise over $104 million in the 2016 fiscal year. Approved last Thursday by the Alabama House transportation committee, the bill would raise the gas tax by approximately 6 cents per gallon. The tax would be adjusted every four years to equal the average tax in Alabama's four border states. The tax would end in 2027. Along with the bill comes a companion bill which would appropriate the revenue to a newly created Transportation Safety Fund. Sponsored by Sen. Gerald Dial, R-Lineville, the second bill will provide funding for improvements along with county road infrastructures.
John Tucker was appointed as Safety Coordinator with the passing of Resolution 2016-14. The position is required by the Association of County Commissions of Alabama (ACCA).
A $24,682.16 payment to the ACCA to cover the final audit ending Oct. 1, 2015 was approved. The worker’s compensation coverage was estimated at the beginning of the fiscal year; however, the estimated funding was insufficient to cover the actual yearly costs of payments.
In additional business, the commission authorized the signing of the refinancing of the 2010 water warrants, which will save $667,000 in interest, an estimated 8 percent.
The chairman was authorized to sign a software contract with Nitorco, Inc. for new software for the Revenue Department which was using a software system from 1996 according to Barry Willingham, Cullman County Revenue Commissioner.
The Festhalle Market Committee’s $3,000 request for operations was approved for the 2016 season. The commission stated that the approval was to support Cullman County farmers who bring their crops to the city to sell at the market.
A 2005 Chevy 1500 4×4 was transferred from the Water Department to Smith Lake Park.
The beverage services contract for the Cullman County Parks and Recreation department was awarded to Pepsi for the next three years. Additionally, the fireworks display contract was given to Pyro Shows of Alabama for $20,000 for a 22-minute display to be held at Smith Lake Park on Saturday, July 2.
A 5-ton air conditioner unit will be replaced by Alabama Electrical Contractors for $5,909.
Bid No. 1233 for used railroad cars was rejected and will be rebid due to one bid reportedly being “lost in the mail.”
Instead of the usual Tuesday meeting, the next commission meeting will be on Thursday, April 14, so as to not interfere with the runoff election on April 12. The commission’s next work session will be Thursday, April 14 at 8:30 a.m. with the meeting to follow at 10 a.m. in the commission meeting room.
