Cullman County commissioners approved three procurement items affecting county operations: replacement of a bus engine, purchase of a metal building for the road department, and awards for aggregate supply.

On the transit item, commissioners authorized purchase of one engine for bus no. 22-7 from Longwood of Cullman for $13,245.07, according to the motion recorded in the meeting. The item was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

For road-department facilities, the county considered a quote from Summertown Meadows for a 30-by-96 metal building to be sited on the east side. The staff presenter said the building will include seven 12-foot bays to store paving equipment and shoulder machines during the winter months and that the county intends to install similar buildings at other locations in future years. The quoted amount recorded in the transcript was $16,001.13. The commission moved, seconded and approved the purchase by voice vote.

On materials procurement, the commission awarded bid number 1486 for aggregate to three vendors — Wiregrass Construction Company, Volcom Materials Company, and Grama and Carter and Sons Contracting Inc. — to allow flexibility based on facility and availability. A staff member explained awarding multiple vendors would improve efficiency and ensure supply availability across the county.

Why it matters: these purchases and award decisions affect day-to-day county operations, equipment protection and material availability for roadwork. The building purchase is intended to protect county equipment and enable year-round maintenance readiness; awarding multiple aggregate vendors aims to maintain supply continuity for ongoing projects.

Details and next steps: staff said the first metal building will be at the east side facility and future buildings are planned for other county facilities. Procurement contracts and vendor award documents were not read in full into the record.