Several of the Cullman County Sheriff's Office's vehicles were damaged by hail during the March 19, 2018 storm. 

The Cullman County Commission continues to await insurance assessment reports to pin a dollar amount to the damage wrought by last month’s hail storm, but is taking small steps in the meantime to restore what was lost.

At its regular meeting Tuesday, the commission approved the purchase of four new vehicles to replace those totaled by hail damage in the March 19 storm. Two of them, 2014 Ford Explorers, will be purchased from state surplus at a total cost of $37,375; the other two — new Jeep Compasses — will be ordered from Cullman Dodge Chrysler Jeep through the open bid process.

The commission also approved paying Eidson & Associates $5,364 for short-term repairs at the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center immediately following the storm. The final insured cost to restore what was damaged at the Beech Avenue complex, however, will likely run into the millions of dollars.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting, Holly Pond resident Ron Stone approached the commission during public comments with a proposal that commissioners consider a ballot measure on a new 2-cent local fuel tax increase at a future meeting.

While the commission is under no obligation to bring the matter to a vote, approving the proposal would result in adding the ballot measure to a future countywide referendum. The proposal calls for an across-the-board two-cent tax collected from all of the county’s service stations. Proceeds from the increase would be distributed to the commission and municipalities in direct proportion to the number of road miles each maintains.

In other business, the commission:

– Recognized CARTS drivers Wade Hancock (1st place — Van division), Russell Speegle (1st place — Bus division), Don Bonacci (2nd place — Bus division), and Teresa Givens (3rd place — Bus division) for their performance at the recent Alabama State Rodeo competition. The drivers will go on to compete at the upcoming national rodeo in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

– Passed a resolution joining the commission to a Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) grant for which the City of Cullman intends to apply. The 80/20 matching federal grant would fund sidewalk improvements in two areas of downtown Cullman, with the city bearing the sole financial responsibility to fund the 20 percent balance of the cost.

– Passed a resolution authorizing commission chairman Kenneth Walker to sign a location release form with video production company Thumb Candy LLC. The company is seeking access to the Stony Lonesome OHV Park to produce a web-based video series about engaged couples who hold their weddings at unconventional venues.

– Approved the purchase of rolloff containers and dumpsters for the sanitation department at a cost of $117,480.

– Postponed until June 12 a public hearing on the proposed vacation of a section of County Road 1614.

– Approved a request from local political candidate Melvin Hasting to hold a campaign event on April 28 in the south parking lot of the courthouse complex.

– The next regular commissioner meeting will be held at 10 a.m. May 22 in the commission meeting room at the Cullman County Courthouse. A public work session will precede the meeting at 8:30 a.m. in the commission conference room.