Cullman County Commission adopts FY2026 budget, shifts health plan and approves slate of appointments and contracts

The Cullman County Commission on a single meeting day approved the county's fiscal year 2026 budget, authorized a change in employee health insurance from a self-insured to a fully insured plan, designated October 2025 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and approved a long list of grants, contracts, appointments and procurement actions.

The commission voted to adopt the fiscal year 2026 budget to be effective Oct. 1, 2025, and approved a related uniform pay increase effective in September 2025 to be reflected on the Oct. 9, 2025 pay period. Commissioners also approved moving the county's employee health insurance from a self-insured program administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama to a fully insured program administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, effective Jan. 1, 2026 (agenda item G, option 5B). The commission approved a separate, short-term stop-loss insurance arrangement with Companion Life for catastrophic claims coverage from Oct. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2025, with an estimated premium of $215,957.25 for the three-month period.

The commission designated October 2025 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month by proclamation and authorized multiple resolutions, including Resolution 2025-45 (Clark's third-party service contract for FY2026), Resolution 2025-46 (urging the Alabama Legislature to oppose changes affecting SSUT programs), Resolution 2025-47 (vacation of County Code 1536), and Resolution 2025-48 (policy regarding county credit cards in accordance with Act 2013-211).

County leaders approved applying for state and federal matching funds for Cullman Regional Airport improvement projects (FY2026), authorized the chairman to sign an Alabama Parks and Youth Services Agency grant agreement for $200,000 for FY2025-26, and approved an annual payment to the ACCA/ACCRAS workers'compensation fund in the amount of $390,002.71 for coverage from Oct. 1, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2026 (a reported savings of $50,010.15 compared with last year).

Other contract and procurement approvals included: renewing the employee/retiree health insurance agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield (medical portion ending Dec. 31, 2025, to accommodate the Jan. 1, 2026 transition); authorizing TripMaster dispatch software annual maintenance and support ($15,600); approving roof replacement by Ridgeline Roof and Restoration for $33,008.61; authorizing a NARCOG TID/CS agency contract; awarding multiple vendor bids for plant mix and park models; and approving purchase orders and equipment for appraisal and revenue department needs, including ESRI licensing and network switches funded from the reappraisal budget.

The commission confirmed several board and authority appointments: Ricky Krause, William Calvert, Debbie Freeman (each to the Health Care Authority board for staggered six-year terms), Kenneth (last name transcribed as 'Coordinates') to the E911 board, Amanda Stanley to the E911 board, and Mark Riddlekill to the Veterans Park Memorial board. The meeting also approved requests to use county property for community events and fundraisers and authorized annual awards and supplements including a $17,000 certified local emergency manager salary supplement from State EMA.

On planning and land-use items the commission approved preliminary plats and minor subdivisions including Denson Farm Subdivision (two lots), Piney Ridge Subdivision (three lots), a temporary variance to allow gravel cul-de-sacs for future extension, and an extension of an existing bond for Kingfisher Subdivision Phase 1C ($127,195.20). Several bid extensions and awards for road materials and services were approved as listed on the agenda.

Votes at a glance (selected agenda items and outcomes): - Item 5: Approval of minutes and journal entries — approved. - Proclamation: Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October 2025) — approved. - Resolution 2025-45 (Clark third-party service contract, FY2026) — approved. - Resolution 2025-46 (oppose legislation affecting SSUT) — approved. - Resolution 2025-47 (vacate County Code 1536) — approved. - Resolution 2025-48 (credit card policy per Act 2013-211) — approved. - Resolution 2025-49 (authorize transition to fully insured health plan, option 5B, effective 01/01/2026) — approved. - Airport grant applications (FY2026) — authorized to apply (approved). - FY2026 budget adoption (effective 10/01/2025) and uniform pay increase (effective Sept. 2025) — approved. - Application fee $33,300 to Local Government Health Insurance Board ($50 per eligible employee/retiree) — approved. - Renew Blue Cross Blue Shield retiree/employee agreement (medical portion through 12/31/2025) — approved. - Companion Life stop-loss coverage (10/01/2025'12/31/2025) estimated premium $215,957.25 — approved. - Retiree grandfathering and tier structure (10/15/20-year tiers) — approved (Chairman Clemens recorded an abstention on the final motion as noted in the record). - Alabama Parks and Youth Services grant agreement ($200,000) — approved. - Long-term detention/substance use contract (10/01/2025'09/30/2026) — approved. - ACCA/ACCRAS workers'comp payment $390,002.71 (10/01/2025'09/30/2026) — approved. - TripMaster maintenance/support ($15,600) — approved. - NARCOG TIDS/agent contract — approved. - Certified local emergency manager supplement ($17,000) — approved. - Roof replacement (Ridgeline Roof & Restoration, $33,008.61) — approved. - Multiple appointments to Health Care Authority, E911 Board, Veterans Park Memorial Board — approved. - Purchase orders and equipment for appraisal/revenue/IT (ESRI, switches, appraisal services) — approved. - Preliminary plats/minor subdivisions (Denson Farm, Piney Ridge, others), bond extension for Kingfisher Subdivision ($127,195.20) — approved. - Multiple bid awards/extensions for road materials and equipment (see agenda) — approved.

Why it matters: The budget and insurance transition affect county employees, retiree costs and county fiscal planning for FY2026. The change from a self-insured to a fully insured health plan and the short-term stop-loss purchase will alter the county's risk exposure and monthly premiums starting with the 2026 plan year. Grant applications and contract awards impact county infrastructure projects including Cullman Regional Airport and public safety systems.

The commission set its next work session for Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, at 4 p.m., and the next regular commission meeting for Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, at 6 p.m.

(See "Votes at a glance" above and the actions list for individual item identifiers and outcomes.)