Maintenance and improvement at Cullman Regional Airport were the focus of two recent measures approved by the Cullman County Commission, as the commission signed off on its share of funding for asphalt rehabilitation at the airport’s Folsom Field while also approving funding for easement access at the runway’s northernmost end.
At its regular meeting last week, the commission agreed to pay its portion of local funding to match a grant-funded $201,394 Alabama Department of Transportation project for taxiway asphalt rehabilitation and seal coating at the airport. The city of Cullman and the commission will equally share the $50,348 of local matching costs, with both the county and city — who jointly participate in the airport’s operation — contributing half of that amount ($25,174).
The commission also approved $60,000 in funds for an aviation easement on the airport’s north side, a step that complements a similar measure undertaken several years ago to clear airborne approach access from the runway’s south end. The easement is intended for “tree toppings or anything that would penetrate [an aircraft’s] approach,” explained airport general manager Ben Harrison.
In other business at its regular meeting, the commission:
— Recognized water department employee Kip James upon retiring after 27 years of service with the county.
— Approved a request from Cullman City Schools to extend an existing half-cent sales tax for the repayment of capital improvement warrants obtained for the improvement and expansion of school buildings and infrastructure.
— Approved the allocation of American Rescue Plan Act funds for the construction of a restroom facility at Smith Lake Park.
— Set the dates and times for forthcoming county commission meetings in the 2025 calendar year.
— Authorized commission chair Jeff Clemons to sign a $13,268 annual premium for workers’ compensation insurance for volunteer fire workers in Cullman County.
— Extended the county’s contracted participation with the Association of County Commissions of Alabama (ACCA) Workers’ Compensation Self-Insurers Fund for a three-year period ending on Sept. 30, 2027.
— Approved the purchase of four HVAC units from Stan Smith Heating and Air for the Cullman County Office Building (BOE) in the amount of $51,000.
— Approved a request from the Cullman Civitan Club to use the south parking lot of the Courthouse from Dec. 2-5 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. each day, and on Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
— Ratified an agreement with the Alabama Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils (RC&D) for equipment to be used at the Cullman County Agricultural Trade Center in the amount of $15,000.
— Approved the purchase of a 2024 StarCraft Bus to be used by the Cullman Area Rural Transportation Service (CARTS), through the Alabama Department of Transportation via the Georgia state bid list, in the amount of $148,724.
— Awarded a bid for a new bookmobile transit cargo van to Mercedes-Benz of Huntsville in the amount of $63,454.42, to be paid with budgeted funds from the county library system.
— 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.
— Approved the purchase of a 2024 Ford F-150 SuperCrew 4X4 pickup truck for use by the commission, selected via the state bid list in the amount of $48,683.
— Approved the purchase of a 2025 Ford Explorer SUV for use by the county economic development office, selected via the state bid list in the amount of $40,169.
— Approved a $65,100 payment to Pelham-based Keet Consulting Services, LLC for the GIS and web-based Internet Spatial Viewer (ISV) services maintained by the county revenue commissioner’s office.
— Approved the resurvey of lots 3-6 within the Serenity Pointe Cabins — Phase 2 subdivision, to accommodate a right-of-way shift. The private subdivision is located along County Road 338.
— Approved a plat proposal for Clear Creek Place subdivision, a minor subdivision containing two lots and located on County Road 803.
— Approved the appointment of Martha Williams, a nominee of Clemons’, to replace Rusty Turner on the Cullman County Library Board, to serve a four-year term expiring on Sept. 30, 2028.
— Set an organizational meeting for Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 10 a.m. in the commission meeting room of the Cullman County Courthouse.
— Approved the minutes of the commission’s Sept. 17 regular meeting.
The next regular meeting of the Cullman County Commission will be held Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 6 p.m. in the commission meeting room. A 4 p.m. public work session will precede the meeting at the same location.