The Cullman County Commission approved an agreement with Sheriff Matt Gentry Tuesday for the allocation of funds for housing federal inmates at the Cullman County Detention Center.

The U.S. Marshals Service pays the sheriff’s offices $40.26 for each federal inmate it houses at the CCDC. The contract approved Tuesday will allow the sheriff’s office to keep $3 of that $40.26 to cover costs to feed the inmate. The remaining $37.26 will be split, with 60 percent ($22.36) going to the county commission and 40 percent ($14.90) to the sheriff’s office.

The number of federal inmates housed at the county jail has fallen over the past year. The county budgeted receiving $394,200 for housing federal inmates in fiscal 2015 — down by $260,000 from last year.

Gentry said the U.S. Marshals Service inspected the facility this past week, and the CCDC passed. He said he discussed the issue of fewer federal inmates with the U.S. Marshals Service.

“I want to thank the county commission and county attorney for assisting us with this,” Gentry said. “The jail began housing federal inmates in 2006, and it’s been a good resource for our county. The proceeds have gone to purchase new equipment and vehicles for the sheriff’s office which takes the burden off the county.”

Commission Chairman Kenneth Walker thanked Gentry for his cooperation.

In other business, the Cullman County Commission:

% Approved March 24 meeting minutes, appropriations, expenditures, payroll, requisitions and all journal entries to be posted.

% Heard public comments: West Point Mayor Kenneth Kilgo said several residents were disappointed the commission decided to close county offices for Good Friday, instead of Confederate Memorial Day. He said a memorial ceremony will be held 2 p.m. April 26 at Sportsman Lake Park to recognize Confederate soldiers. Resident Ron Stone said he thought the commission made a mistake by not recognizing the state holiday. Cherrie Haney, president of Cullman’s People Against a Littered State (PALS), said the annual PALS cleanup will be 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, and the county sanitation department will provide dumpsters across the county. Residents can also pick up trash bags at the Cullman County Economic Development office.

* Authorized Chairman Walker and Cullman County Emergency Management Agency Director Phyllis Little to sign 2015 Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) State Cooperative Agreement for $2,009.

* Declared surplus and authorized Chairman Walker to sign proposal with Iron Planet to auction following equipment: two 2013 International dump trucks, 2001 Caterpillar hydraulic excavator, 2004 Daewoo wheel-mounted excavator and 1996 Ford F700. Iron Planet was the high-bidder with $161,000.

* Declined selling 8.9 acres on County Road 386 near Smith Lake Park for $40,000 to allow for possible expansion in the future.

* Approved easement and maintenance agreement with City of Cullman to install 16-foot culvert at Henderson Branch on CR-1651. The city will pay for the project and will be responsible for maintaining the culvert. The county will retain responsibility over CR-1651. The road was initially going to be flooded for the Duck River Dam project, but officials decided to install the culvert instead to allow access for residents in the area.

* Approved requiring payment of retiree health insurance premiums by bank draft effective Oct. 1. County Administrator Gary Teichmiller said around 75 percent of retirees currently pay by bank draft.

* Approved Alabama for Marriage’s request to hold a rally at the courthouse front steps from 3- 5 p.m. May 3. County Attorney Heath Meherg said the group will have to obtain a city permit and sign a waiver releasing the county from any liability if someone is injured during the event.

* Reappointed Rita Nicholas to the Cullman Area Mental Health Authority for a six-year term to expire April 1, 2021.

* Approved North Alabama Agriplex’s $300 request for Touring Farms for Kids summer program.

* Approved Festhalle Market Committee’s $3,000 request for seasonal operations for the 2015 market season.

* Set speed limits on CR-717 to 35 mph and on CR-576 to 30 mph. County Engineer John Lang said residents were concerned about drivers speeding on both roads.

* Reclassified CR-1339 as a major collector in an effort to get federal aid designation from the Alabama Department of Transportation which could decide to provide more funding for repairs. Around 1,700 travel the road daily.

* Approved ALDOT agreement for rail/ highway grade crossing improvements on CR-605 and 607. After ALDOT completes upgrades, the county will take over maintenance.

* Declared surplus 1998 Ford Crown Victoria from Commission on Aging to be sold on online auction site govdeals.com.

* Declared surplus 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier from Animal Shelter to be sold on govdeals.com.

* Authorized Chairman Walker to sign contract with Eidson & Associates for $18,232 to replace eight windows at the courthouse.

* Declared surplus the following trucks from the Sanitation Department to be sold on govdeals.com: two 2009 International garbage trucks.

* Approved $78,424.31 purchase of two tandem dump chassis off the state bid list from Southland International Trucks.

* Approved $78,424.31 purchase of two tandem dump bodies off the state bid list from Warren Truck & Trailer, Inc.

* Awarded bid for placement of bituminous surface treatment (chip-seal) to Charles Watts Construction in Gadsden. Lang said municipalities would be able to use the same bid.

* Awarded bid for concrete to DCA Ready Mix in Cullman which was the low-bidder and has the current bid.

* Approved lease with option to purchase with Warrior Tractor for two new model heavy-duty rubber tire excavators for $2,370 per month. Lang said leasing equipment is a more affordable option for the county.

The county commission will hold a work session 8:30 a.m. April 28, followed by its regular meeting at 10 a.m.