Cullman County Commission approves business incentive, transportation plan and multiple routine items; tables vehicle purchase

The Cullman County Commission on Aug. 19 approved a package of routine resolutions and agreements, including a $458,640 local incentive tied to an $8,000,000 private investment expected to create 25 jobs, adopted the county—s fiscal-year 2026 transportation plan and passed a series of grant- and procurement-related items while tabling a proposed $71,002 vehicle purchase for further review.

The actions are part of a regular commission meeting in which commissioners also approved a speed limit change on County Road 59, authorized participation in the Alabama Interlocal Mutual Aid Agreement and adopted a resolution enabling reimbursement of airport capital costs with proceeds of tax-exempt bonds. The commission set several grant agreements for youth services, ratified vendor awards for pest control and jail supplies, approved a four-lot preliminary subdivision plat and confirmed meeting-date changes.

The transportation plan adopted by the commission identifies four county roads for work in FY2026 and shows an estimated allocation of $1,925,007.44, the commission said. Commissioner remarks during the meeting attributed the larger share of expected revenue to a recent gas tax change and to federal-aid exchange funds.

A staff speaker told commissioners the $458,640 item would support one local company—s retooling of a production line and described the project as an $8,000,000 investment that the county—s action would help secure. The staff speaker said the company—s expansion would create 25 new jobs with an average pay level the speaker stated as "$60" (amount as stated in the meeting transcript). The commission approved that item by voice vote.

On transportation, a commissioner and county staff explained the FY2026 plan must be passed in August to align with budgeting and the county—s receipt of new gas-tax-derived funds. The plan lists County Road 791, County Road 1352, County Road 1107 and County Road 421 as priority projects for the coming year.

The commission also approved Resolution 25-42 to lower the posted speed limit on County Road 59 from 45 mph to 30 mph, citing the road—s curvature and safety considerations. Resolution 25-43 authorized Cullman County to participate in the Alabama Interlocal Mutual Aid Agreement. Resolution 25-44 authorizes the use of proceeds from tax-exempt bonds to reimburse county expenditures on a new hangar project at Cullman Regional Airport in accordance with 26 CFR —1.150-2, the commission was told.

Among consent items, the commission authorized the chairman to sign multiple Alabama Department youth- and appointment-related services grant agreements for FY2025—FY2026, with amounts recorded in the meeting packet as $49,772 for a program identified in the packet as "Covenant Healing and Responding to Trauma (HARTT)," $166,199 for Lauderdale County (as listed in the packet), and $79,678 each for Jackson County and a similarly listed county entry. The commission approved those grant agreements by voice vote.

The commission authorized a change order in the meeting packet showing $1,000,008.21 (amount as listed) and approved routine procurement awards: pest-control services to Phillips Pest Solutions and jail supplies to Central Paper and American Paper Entwined. The commission also ratified an item listed as "City of Cullman available for project" in the amount of $458,640 tied to the local company expansion.

A motion to purchase a 2025 Ford Expedition XL 4x4 from Long Lewis Ford for $71,002.30 was made and then tabled after a commissioner asked whether cheaper options existed; the motion to table passed. The commission approved the preliminary plat for Long Branch Subdivision Phase 2, a minor subdivision in Commission District 4 creating four lots and tying the new lots to existing County Road 2108, which the county said is already covered by a construction bond.

Other business: the commission approved a three-year renewal of the county—s ambulance service agreement with a medical-care provider effective Oct. 1, 2025, with a three-year premium listed as $82,500; moved the September commission meeting from Sept. 16 to Sept. 23; and scheduled the next commission work session for Sept. 23 at 4 p.m. and the next regular commission meeting for Sept. 23 at 6 p.m.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting minutes/voice votes): - Ratify City of Cullman project support, $458,640: approved (voice vote). - Resolution 25-42 (County Road 59 speed limit to 30 mph): approved (voice vote). - Resolution 25-43 (participate in Alabama Interlocal Mutual Aid Agreement): approved (voice vote). - Resolution 25-44 (reimbursement of airport capital costs via tax-exempt bonds, per 26 CFR 1.150-2): approved (voice vote). - Multiple Alabama Department grant agreements (listed amounts in packet): approved (voice votes). - Change order listed at $1,000,008.21 (packet): approved (voice vote). - Renew ambulance service agreement (three years, effective 10/01/2025; premium listed $82,500): approved (voice vote). - FY2026 County Transportation Plan (estimated $1,925,007.44): approved (voice vote). - Purchase of 2025 Ford Expedition XL 4x4 ($71,002.30) from Long Lewis Ford: motion to table approved (voice vote) for further review. - Long Branch Subdivision Phase 2 preliminary plat (four lots, County Road 2108): approved (voice vote). - Award bid #1487 pest control to Phillips Pest Solutions: approved (voice vote). - Award bid #1488 jail supplies to Central Paper and American Paper Entwined: approved (voice vote).

The meeting record shows routine minutes approval, recognition of long-serving road department employee Mitchell Thompson and the customary invocation and pledge. Several items on the consent agenda were approved without extended discussion; commissioners asked for additional options before finalizing the vehicle purchase.

The meeting adjourned following the approvals and scheduling motions.