Commissioners approved a $44 million 2008 budget for the Cullman County Commission at its meeting on Monday. A highlight of the budget is a 4 percent cost of living increase for all county employees.

Chief Administrator Gary Teichmiller said revenues were expected to be $44,309,336 with expenses at $43,734,339. The $574,997 surplus represents a reimbursement from an Off Road Vehicle Park grant paid in 2008 but spent in 2007, he said. Teichmiller said $16, 587,797 of the budget is for the General Fund representing 68 departments and agencies.

Chairman Wiley Kitchens described the budget as “tight.”

“Every department is going to have to stay within their budget,” he said.

He said commissioners “will have to draw it in” if department heads don’t stick to the budget.

In other business, commissioners decided to put a Master Gardeners’ minibotantical garden on hold for now. Master Gardener Linda Schafner was requesting permission to install a demonstration garden at the old Haye’s home at 611 First Ave. SW. Commissioners donated the house to the Historical Society about a year ago.

Schafner said gardeners wanted to build a teaching garden where drip irrigation technology would be displayed.

Associate Commissioner Doug Williams said he thought the proposed garden was fantastic, but he said the Haye’s house would eventually have to be moved to provide more parking for the courthouse..

“I hate to see you spend money if I can’t promise you a long-term lease,” he said.

Commissioner Wiley Kitchens and attorney Dan Willingham said they could draw up a lease with a specified term but the document would have to give the next elected county commissioners the right to void the agreement.

Commissioners agreed to look for other possible sites for the garden.

Commissioner Doug Williams said Cullman County Emergency Management Agency Director Phyllis Little was chosen for her outstanding leadership for a state award for the top director for 2007.

Williams read a statement by Alabama EMA Director John James citing Little’s leadership in the North Alabama Mutual Aid Team and the Alabama Association of Emergency Managers.

Little has taken the initiative and pulled together volunteer organizations, county and state government as well as creating disaster mortuary response teams, said James in his statement.

In other business, commissioners:

‰ Authorized the Chairman to apply for $560,000 in funding from the Alabama Department of Transportation to renovate the Road Department.

‰ Passed a motion to surplus a Lexmark Printer for the Probate office.

‰ Authorized the Chairman to sign an auditing agreement with RiverTree Systems, Inc. to conduct an outside audit of the Sales Tax office.

‰ Authorized the Chairman to enter into an agreement with Alabama Power which is making improvements at Smith Lake Park as part of its relicensing effort for the Smith Dam Project. The company plans to double the parking at Smith Lake Park for approximately $200,000 and build a fishing pier for about $120,000.

‰ Passed a resolution on courthouse security measures requiring visitors to enter the courthouse through rear doors and going through a scanning device beginning Oct. 1. Bags and briefcases will be scanned as well.

‰ Reduced the speed on County Road 1222 to 20 miles per hour.

‰ Passed a resolution to grant a one-time lump sum payment of $30,000 to retirees and beneficiaries for employees retiring before Dec. 14, 2007.

The next regular Commission meeting will be at 10 a.m. on Oct. 9.