Members of the Cullman County Commission made it official Tuesday.

A Duck River Advisory Committee is now in place.

On Tuesday, during its bi-monthly meeting, the commission approved the appointment of 10 members to the committee. Those appointed include Edwin Carter of the Cullman County Soil and Water Conservation District, E.H. Duke with the Walter Water Authority, Nathan Finley with the City of Hanceville, Keith Henry with the East Cullman Water System, Patrick Klein with V.A.W. Water System, Inc., Lavell Thrasher with Johnsons Crossing Water System, and Wells Turner Sr. with the City of Cullman. The commission is allowed three slots on the committee, and appointed Jimmy Knight, Jackie Satterfield, and Jay Mullins to board.

“One of the things we’ve pushed is an oversight committee representing each one of the water districts who can have a say-so in it, so that they’ll be able to speak their mind, ask questions, and get feedback from it so we all know what’s going on,” Cullman County Commission Chairman James Graves said. “We wanted this to become a reality. We’ve worked with our attorney, and the city, so today, we’re glad to announce the appointment of the members to the advisory committee.”

City and county officials had tried to create a Duck River water management authority (WMA) in the state legislature, though when those efforts were stalled, the county commission stepped in to create an advisory board in the interim.

While the advisory board can offer feedback on the project, it technically has no authority. The agreed-upon plan between city and county leaders is for the water management authority — consisting of representatives from the city, county and area water systems — to eventually assume ownership of the new lake once the bonds to build it are paid off.

“When the new associates were elected, they were in agreement, and we signed the contract for it to proceed forward, as well as a contract for purchase of water for the next 30 years,” Graves said. “Based on that, they were able to go to the bond market and get the money necessary to build the facility. At the end of the bond period, the ownership of the dam reverts to all the participants that are participating in this based on the percentage of water they buy. That percentage will belong to that entity and will have an official say-so about the whole thing.”

The committee is scheduled to hold its first meeting Monday to discuss bylaws and select officers.

In other business, the commission:

* Considered renewal of the county’s Workers’ Compensation Insurance with ACCA for 2012-2013.

* Considered a Rock Removal lease between Marigold Land Company and the Cullman County Commission.

* Ratified a $4,800 appropriation for the Cullman Community Concert Association.

* Ratified a $5,000 appropriation to the Oktoberfest 2012 committee.

* Ratified a $2,500 appropriation to the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce.

* Approved resolution 2012-43 — CARTS Third Party Service Contracts-FY2013.

* Approved resolution 2012-44 — regarding the adoption of a portion of county road 386 into the county road system.

* Considered a surplus of the following vehicles from the Road Department:

    • 1990 Ford F-150 pickup VIN# 1FTRF18W5XNB24900

    • 1999 Ford F-150 pickup VIN# 1FTRF17W3XNC06433

    • 1999 Ford F-150 pickup VIN# 1FTRF17W6XNA54034.

* Approved bid no. 1117 — computer equipment to IS Cooperation.

* Ratified the following personnel actions:

New Hires:

Brent Hogeland — Sheriff’s Department (full time).

Zachary Mermis — Sheriff’s Department (full time).

Todd Reynolds — Sheriff’s Department (full time).

Promotions:

Bryan Medlock — Sheriff’s Department (full time).

Richard Neese — Sheriff’s Department (full time).

Timothy Kerber — Sheriff’s Department (full time).

Corey Freeman — Sheriff’s Department (full time).

Dismissal:

Sabrina Wallace — Smith Lake (full time-seasonal).

Austin Vincent — Smith Lake (full time-seasonal).

Olyvia Thrasher — Smith Lake (full time-seasonal).

Evan Taunton — Smith Lake (full time-seasonal).

William B. Ranson — Smith Lake (full time-seasonal).

Christopher Gonzales — Smith Lake (full time-seasonal).

Richard T. Davis — Smith Lake (full time-seasonal).

Makyla Cobbs — Smith Lake (full time-seasonal).

Mackenzie Woods — Smith Lake (full time-seasonal).

Bobbie Marchman — Smith Lake (full time-seasonal).

Josh Loveless — Smith Lake (full time-seasonal).

Resignation:

Matt Teichmiller — CARTS (full time).

Perry Casey — Sheriff’s Department (full time).

Craig Betts — Sheriff’s Department (full time).

Chris Betts — Sheriff’s Department (full time).

The next regular county commission meeting will be held Tuesday, Sept. 25 at 10 a.m. in the first-floor commission meeting room of the Cullman County Courthouse.

* Ashley Graves can be reached by phone at 734-2131, ext. 225, or by email at agraves@cullmantimes.com