CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman City Council on Monday evening passed a resolution to purchase a heavy truck and trailer from Weil Wrecker Service that will allow the City to resume recycling service in the near future. Councilman Johnny Cook told the audience the City would have had to haul recyclables to Birmingham in small trucks, and could not do so in an economical manner. The purchase of the large truck will allow the transport of larger loads and make the program more economically feasible.
According to Cook, the larger truck and trailer will be able to load up and make a trip every six days. The councilman said the City hopes to relaunch its recycling program in about two weeks, and may even be able to expand the list of recyclable items that can be picked up.
Third-quarter financial outlook better than expected
Council President Jenny Folsom said Cullman’s third-quarter financial statement showed a situation better than the council had anticipated in light of the COVID-19 shutdown and financial downturn. The City’s revenues are actually up more than 2% from this time last year, and expenses are down slightly.
2020 year-to-date revenues: $28,420,576
- $588,324 over 2019 YTD revenues of $27,832,252 (2.11% increase)
2020 year-to-date expenses: $27,683,577
- $184,927 below 2019 YTD expenses of $27,868,504 (0.66% decrease)
Sales tax accounted for the largest dollar increase in revenues, while liquor tax accounted for the largest percentage increase. City income from business licenses, property taxes and beer/wine taxes also increased. Revenues from sanitation fees, buildings permits and tobacco taxes fell.
Folsom also noted that, while unemployment in Cullman increased to 5.4% during the shutdown, that number is still the second lowest in the state, and below the state and national averages.
Upcoming social events put on hold
The council approved two upcoming social events, a Jack Aces Motorcycle Club fundraiser at the Festhalle and Depot Park for the Cullman Police Department’s “Shop with a Cop” Christmas program and a Daystar Church public worship event at Heritage Park, due to COVID-19 concerns on the part of the police and fire departments. The events were approved, but postponed until such time as the coronavirus situation improves.
Asked about the decision to postpone these events after allowing the recent Love Train Unity concert to take place at Depot Park, Police Chief Kenny Culpepper and Fire Chief Brian Bradberry explained to The Tribune that the Love Train event had already been approved and scheduled before recent concerns led to the decision to curtail such events temporarily.
Friends of the Public Libraries of Cullman County recognized
Councilman David Moss took a moment to recognize the Friends of the Public Libraries of Cullman County for the group’s recent reception of the Alabama Library Association’s Merit Award, given, according to the association, “to an organization, group, or body of persons, which has made a significant contribution toward the development of library service within Alabama.”
Other council business
The council approved
- Resolutions to issue Certifications of Election for Council President Jenny Folsom and Cullman City School Board members Joey Orr and Amy Carter, as the three are unopposed and do not need to appear on August’s municipal election ballot
- The vacation and surplus of an alley off Eighth Street Northwest, and gave a first reading to an ordinance to vacate and surplus property at the intersection of Second Street Southeast and Fourth Avenue Southeast
- The reappointment of Michael Sullins to the CATS-55 Board
- An amendment to the City’s Position Control Detail to create new positions for a Traffic Technician and Equipment Operator
The Cullman City Council meets at 7 p.m. the second and fourth Mondays of each month in the Cullman City Hall auditorium. The public is invited to attend, subject to COVID-19 occupancy restrictions.
Copyright 2020 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
