The Cullman County Commission has approved an agreement for engineering services to help repair County Road 564 which slid off Stouts Mountain after record rainfall and flooding in December.

The commission authorized County Engineer John Lang to sign a proposal for services with Terracon for geotechnical engineering services for $5,257. CR-564 has remained closed since it deteriorated and became impassable for drivers after Cullman received 8-plus inches of rain in between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

“FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) will reimburse the county this money for the engineering,” Lang said. “They just want to make sure due diligence has been done before work begins on the road.”

On the topic of roads, Lang encouraged attendees at Tuesday’s meeting to contact their local legislators about finding additional road funding.

“Our needs consistently outrun our resources,” Lang said. “We have several roads in southern parts of the county we would like to fix, but the funding just hasn’t permitted.”

Walker added he wished the county could afford to do more to address the county’s crumbling road infrastructure. Lang urged residents to go online to www.drivealabama.org for more information about road funding.

Alabama lawmakers are expected to debate the first increase in the state’s gasoline tax since 1992, with revenue going towards road improvements. The Alabama Legislature’s Joint Transportation Committee held five meetings around the state last month to discuss the possibility and get public input on the idea.

The American Society of Civil Engineers’ inaugural 2015 Report Card for Alabama’s Infrastructure gave the state’s overall infrastructure received a C- and its roads received a grade of D+.

In other business, the commission declared surplus six sheriff’s office vehicles along with other items, with two vehicles to be donated to local fire departments. Good Hope Volunteer Fire Department will get a 2008 Dodge Charger and Vinemont Volunteer Fire Department a 2010 model.

A 2006 FVIS, 2009 Dodge Charger, 1988 Chevrolet Van and 2000 Rough STA Van will be sold on online auction site govdeals.com. A 2006 Ford Crown Victoria, toaster and food processor will be scrapped, and old uniforms will be destroyed.

In other business, the Cullman County Commission:

* Approved minutes from Jan. 26 meeting, appropriations, expenditures, payroll, requisitions and all journal entries to be posted.

* Authorized agreement with Bagby Elevator for repairs to elevator at Cullman County Economic Development and Sales Tax Office building for $4,365.

* Ratified $47,000 purchase of International Tandem dump truck from ALDOT Equipment Bureau Surplus for the Road Department.

* Declared surplus 2002 Chevrolet pickup 1500 from the Water Department to be sold on govdeals.com.

* Declared surplus Kaiser Jeep flatbed ( 6×6, 2.5 ton) from Stony Lonesome OHV Park to be sold on govdeals.com.

* Tiffeny Owens can be reached at towens@cullmantimes.com or at 256-734-2131.