MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT
Like state and federal government, municipal government is organized into three separate branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. Each branch has its own duties, authority, and limitations, and all three must work together to ensure effective and responsive local government.
The City of Cullman operates under the Mayor–Council form of government, which includes a Mayor and a five-member City Council. All officials are elected by popular vote to concurrent four-year terms. Municipal elections are held every four years in August.
The next City of Cullman municipal election is scheduled for August 2029.
EXECUTIVE BRANCH | MAYOR
The Mayor serves as the head of the executive branch and is responsible for the overall administration of city government.
In Alabama’s Mayor–Council system, the Mayor’s responsibilities include directing and managing all municipal departments, supervising City employees, preparing and administering the annual budget, and ensuring that City funds are handled responsibly and obligations are paid in a timely manner. The Mayor is also charged with carrying out and enforcing the ordinances and policies adopted by the City Council, providing steady administrative leadership across all areas of city government.
Beyond these core duties, the Mayor oversees the delivery of essential public services, coordinates intergovernmental and community initiatives, and executes contracts and agreements approved by the Council. The Mayor also represents the City in legal, civic, and ceremonial matters. In many ways, the position functions similarly to a chief executive officer, carrying responsibility for the effective, efficient, and forward-facing operation of the municipality.
Because Cullman’s population exceeds 12,000, the Mayor does not preside over or serve as a member of the City Council. The Mayor holds veto authority over permanent actions taken by the Council; however, the Council may override a veto with a two-thirds vote.
Woody Jacobs is the current Mayor of the City of Cullman and is serving his third term (2025-29). The next mayoral election will take place in August 2029.
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH | CITY COUNCIL
The City Council serves as the City’s legislative branch and governing body of the City, holding all legislative and policy-making authority under Alabama law. Acting through ordinances, resolutions, and motions, the Council adopts the annual budget, confirms mayoral appointments where required, and considers matters affecting the City’s fiscal health, public services, and overall operations. The Council is responsible for setting municipal policies, establishing local laws, and regulating fees, licenses, and other municipal charges. Its authority also includes appropriating and issuing bonds, awarding contracts, levying property assessments, and overseeing the lease, purchase, or disposition of City-owned property. In addition, the Council has the power to create or dissolve boards and commissions, designate municipal officers, and take actions necessary to promote the community’s safety, welfare, and orderly development.
The 2025–29 City Council members are:
- Chuck Shikle, Place 1
- David Moss, Jr., Place 2
- Jason Willoughby, Place 3
- Paul Schaffer, Place 4
- Kim Hall, Place 5
Council President is Kim Hall. Council President Pro-Tem is David Moss.
The Cullman City Council meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Auditorium, unless otherwise announced. A work session is held at 6:00 p.m. in the auditorium prior to each City Council meeting. All City Council work sessions and meetings are open to the public. City Council meetings can also be watched live on Facebook.
To request to speak at a City Council meeting, complete this form. For questions about the meeting, contact the Cullman City Clerk’s Office.
JUDICIAL BRANCH | MUNICIPAL COURT
The Municipal Court serves as the judicial branch of municipal government, handling cases arising under the ordinances of the City of Cullman. Under Alabama law, municipal courts have jurisdiction over violations that occur within the city limits and the police jurisdiction, including traffic offenses, misdemeanor criminal charges, and breaches of municipal ordinances.
The Municipal Court Clerk and magistrates are responsible for processing citations issued by the Cullman Police Department, managing case filings, maintaining court records, issuing warrants when authorized, and assisting the public with court-related matters. Court proceedings are presided over by the Municipal Court Judge, with prosecutions carried out by the Municipal Prosecutor. Both the Judge and the Prosecutor are appointed by the Cullman City Council.
OTHER OFFICES
The City Clerk serves as the official administrative liaison between the Mayor and the City Council, as established by Alabama law and local ordinance. The Clerk is responsible for supporting the legislative process and ensuring the accurate preservation of the City’s official records. Core duties include preparing agendas for City Council meetings, recording and maintaining the minutes, authenticating and certifying ordinances, resolutions, and other official acts, and safeguarding all legislative and administrative documents. The Clerk also coordinates the public’s access to municipal records and provides information about City governance, procedures, and regulations.
The City Clerk’s Office oversees a wide range of licensing and regulatory functions, including the issuance of business and alcohol licenses, pet licenses, yard sale permits, and tobacco tax stamps. In addition, the office maintains competitive bid lists, manages records relating to municipal assessments, and ensures compliance with state requirements for public notices, filings, and document retention. Through these responsibilities, the City Clerk plays a central role in maintaining transparency, accountability, and orderly administrative operations within the City of Cullman.
The current City Clerk is Wesley Moore. Deputy City Clerk is Pam Leslie.
The City Treasurer, appointed by the City Council, serves as the custodian of all municipal funds and plays a central role in safeguarding the financial integrity of the City. The Treasurer is responsible for maintaining accurate records of all City accounts, tracking revenues and expenditures across every department, and keeping the books in a manner that clearly reflects the City’s financial condition. Additional responsibilities include advising the Mayor and City Council on investments and financial practices, overseeing the receipt and disbursement of funds, and coordinating with external auditors to ensure that all state and local financial procedures are properly followed.
The Accounting Department supports these functions by processing and maintaining accurate and timely financial records related to municipal revenues, expenditures, assets, and liabilities. This includes general ledger management, processing invoices and vendor payments, maintaining fixed-asset inventories, monitoring grants for regulatory compliance, assisting with the annual audit, and ensuring property accountability across all municipal departments. Together, the Treasurer and the Accounting Department provide the financial oversight necessary for responsible budgeting, transparent reporting, and sound fiscal management for the City of Cullman.
The City of Cullman relies on a number of boards and committees that help guide, oversee, and support key areas of municipal operations, planning, and community services. These groups provide expertise, review policies, offer recommendations, and in some cases carry out regulatory or advisory duties established by state law and local ordinance. Their work plays an important role in shaping Cullman’s growth, public services, and overall quality of life.
Service on a municipal board or committee is a meaningful way for residents to contribute to their community. Appointments are made either by the City Council or the Mayor, depending on the board’s structure and requirements. If you are interested in serving, please complete the Board Application for consideration.
A complete listing of all City boards and committees, including current members, can be found on our Documents page.