City of Cullman residents will soon notice better home insurance rates as Cullman Fire Rescue earned a better rating for fire protection, ranking among the top in the nation. 

Fire Chief Ed Reinhardt said the city’s ISO score will be lowered from a 3 to a 2, making Cullman just one out of 1,324 cities with the rating. Just 241 communities have a perfect 1 rating, he said. 

“And this doesn’t include the third fire station, so we’re hoping next time we can get closer to 1 or maybe get it,” he said. 

Reinhardt attributed the higher rating to the fire department’s hard work along with the entire city’s support. 

Speaking of that third station, work is picking up on Cullman’s long-awaited third station being built on Alabama 157, tucked behind Merchants Bank near Piggly Wiggly. Reinhardt said the concrete pads have been poured and the walls will be going up soon after. 

Eidson & Associates, Inc. is building the new station for nearly $4.83 million. It will feature additional bays for vehicles, and officials believe the location is an optimum base to serve the economic and construction growth on the north side of the city.

In other business, the Cullman City Council:

• Approved minutes from March 27 meeting. 
• Approved request from Sanitation Superintendent Larry Jones to purchase a Mosquito Fogger from Armour, Inc. in the budgeted amount of $8,999.
• Approved request from WWTP Superintendent Jeff Adams to purchase a Kubota Diesel Zero Turn Mower from Dixie Tractor Company in the budgeted amount of $12,990.
• Approved request from Water Superintendent Chris Freeman to purchase from the NJPA bid list 700k Dozer from Warrior Tractor & Equipment Company, Inc. in the unbudgeted amount of $172,923.80. 
• Approved request from Freeman to purchase from the NJPA bid list Volvo EC300 Trackhoe from Cowin Equipment Company, Inc. in the unbudgeted amount of $208,129.
• Approved request from Street Superintendent Scott Talley to purchase from the NJPA bid list Volvo EC220E Trackhoe from Cowin Equipment Company, Inc. in the unbudgeted amount of $169,816.00. Councilwoman Jenny Folsom said the city has projects to complete this year that were budgeted in 2018 which requires the equipment water and street departments. Mayor Woody Jacobs said this year’s budget will be adjusted and that the city had planned to buy them in the near future for the work. 
• Approved the following board appointments: reappointed Dr. Vincent Karolewics to the airport board; reappointed Wes Moore and Hugh Harris to the Cat 55 Board; reappointed Tony Townson, Brad Eidson, Andy Starnes, David Richard and Howard Plott to the construction board; appointed Wes Warren to replace Perry Warren on the downtown redevelopment board and reappointed Everrett Ware, Helen Marie Dahlke and Norma Moon to the tree commission. 

The next Cullman City Council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. April 24, with a work session at 6:30 p.m. prior to the meeting.