CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman County Commission met Thursday, Oct. 17, for its monthly meeting, during which Cullman County Engineer Philip Widner gave an update on the progress of the ongoing repairs of County Road 222 near the Interstate 65 Exit 305 interchange.
Widner said he and the road department were aware that settlement and water damage had affected the roadway’s asphalt and base; however, the culprit for the current repairs was unknown until the project began on Tuesday, Oct. 15. The repair project was completed on Thursday, Oct. 17, according to Widner.
“We completed that today,” stated Widner, “We did determine that it was a large void beneath the original area of the collapse.”
Widner asked for the public’s patience as the road department will not re-pave the repaired section right away; to avoid future issues, the new base will be allowed to settle on its own for a number of months.
Widner said, “We’re going to have to ask for everybody’s patience. We’ll let the base settle for a couple of months and see how it goes to make sure we got it correct before we pave it.”
The commission also unanimously approved Resolution 2025-05, the renaming of the Cullman County Juvenile Detention Center to The Honorable Kim J. Chaney Juvenile Detention Center.
Commissioner Garry Marchman motioned for the approval, with Commissioner Kerry Watson giving a quick second.
As the resolution was passed, Commission Chairman Jeff Clemons waited for the standing ovation from the attending crowd to pass and spoke to Chaney.
“I’ve worked with you for many many years as a deputy in the county and it’s truly an honor to work with you for so many years. You were always honest and you inspire with everybody,” Clemons said. “The thing about you – I’ve worked on some of your programs you’ve implemented and look at all the young lives you’ve saved and helped. You’ve done so many good things in Cullman County and it’s truly an honor to be a part of that and be able to work with you.”
In other business, the commission:
- Recognized Kip James, retiring after 27 years with the Cullman County Water Department
- Approved Resolution 2025-01, allowing the commission to submit application for FY 2025 Bridge Investment Program (BIP) funds to assist in rehabilitating Phillip’s Bridge (Big Bridge) located on County Road 222
- Approved Resolution 2025-02, awarding airport bid for Taxiway pavement maintenance at the Cullman Regional Airport to Ameriseal of Ohio in the amount of $201,394
- Approved Resolution 2025-03, allowing the Cullman County Commission to extend its contracted annual participation with the Association of County Commissions of Alabama Workers’ Compensation Self-Insurers Fund for a three-year period concluding Sept. 30, 2027
- Approved Resolution 2025-04, approving the existing one-half cent sales tax for Cullman City Schools allocated to warrant repayment
- Approved Resolution 2025-06, allocating American Rescue Plan Act Funds, Revenue Reduction Funds to the construction of bathroom facility at Smith Lake Park and authorize Chairman to sign all related paperwork
- Approved Resolution 2025-07, permitting the funds originally deposited for the benefit of this participant county with the Tennessee Valley Youth Services, under Alabama Code 12-15-215, to stay within the account of Tennessee Valley Youth Services for the purposes of facility maintenance in lieu of distribution of funds back to the participant County
- Approved Chairman Clemons to sign the Alabama Department of Youth Services Agency Grant Agreement for FY 2024-2025 as fiscal agent for:
- Lauderdale County in the amount of $166,200
- Cullman County in the amount of$199,088 Blount County in the amount of $79,680 Jackson County in the amount of $74,612
- Set the dates and times for Commission Meetings for 2025
- Approved Chairman to sign the annual premium for the Volunteer Fire Workers’ Compensation insurance in the amount of $13,268
- Approved the purchase of four HVAC units from Stan Smith Heating and Air for the Cullman County Board of Education Office Building in the amount of $51,000
- Authorized the Cullman Civitan Club to use the south parking lot at the courthouse Dec. 2- 5, 2024, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and Dec. 6, 2024, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Ratified RC&D agreement for equipment for the Cullman County Agricultural Trade Center in the amount of $15,000
- Approved the purchase of a Kiser Arena Drag 810-225 gallon water tank and profile blade for the Cullman County Agricultural Trade Center in the amount of $15,900
- Consider the purchase of a 2024 Ford F-150 Supercrew 4X4 pickup off State Bid for the Commission in the amount of $48,683
- Consider the purchase of a 2025 Ford Explorer off State Bid for Cullman County Economic Development in the amount of $40,169
- Approved Chairman Clemon’s nominee, Judge Martha Williams, to replace Judge Rusty Turner on the Cullman County Library Board for a four year term to expire Sept. 30, 2028
- Authorized up to $60,000 for avigation easement at the Cullman Regional Airport
- Approved payment to Keet Consulting Services, LLC for GIS and Internet Spatial Viewer for Reappraisal in the amount of $65,100
- Approved the purchase of a 2024 StarCraft Bus from Model 1 through ALDOT off Georgia State Bid for CARTS in the amount of $148,724
- Approved resurvey of lots three-six of Serenity Pointe Cabins Subdivision. This subdivision located in Commission district four and previously approved Aug. 15, 2023. This is a private subdivision located off of County Road 338
- Approved proposed plat Clear Creek Place Subdivision; a minor subdivision containing two lots in Commission District four. The subdivision is located on County Road 803, a quarter mile South of the intersection of County Road 421 and County Road 803
- Awarded Bid No. 1470 for one new Book Mobile current model transit cargo van to Mercedes-Benz of Huntsville
The commission’s organizational meeting will be held Wednesday, Nov. 13, at 10 a.m. in the commission meeting room. The next regular meeting of the Cullman County Commission will be Tuesday, Nov. 19, in the commission meeting room. The work session will begin at 4 p.m. with the meeting beginning at 6.
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