[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6699139,"mediaKeyId","2247885-eccb9e6dc70cb44d6b5a05267ae1508f","parentId",2247885,"title","Walker County to host federally funded jail behavioral-health program; county will act as grant fiduciary","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",5358000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2247885-eccb9e6dc70cb44d6b5a05267ae1508f&start=5358&end=5358","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2247885-eccb9e6dc70cb44d6b5a05267ae1508f/thumbnail_5358000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6699139/Walker-County/Georgia/Walker-County-to-host-federally-funded-jail-behavioral-health-program-county-will-act-as-grant-fiduciary","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6699139-4d8dbbfbf58bbedc339bd8468cee82c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770948296&Signature=dDo28BTXaXQ~rQhQJQDkC7hlZxh9UtJ7xJR9Nb8-b0~ZfJZy5tuGv~Ui8-VlUIS2AYENWYo9RZfa8a8syNf4A-KINiLpsKVCzZ8nNp3xGccQ0CPHXCN5BWlZJLyLM7Wg4iz43aHwLI7l9by~0RtK9IhHdwI~wJjNpUQnseyD38~B-w-e8uxc0aczYn0W59Ta2jDb5FwnaNsWHCqKCKbwTO6K70466Bq-QmKtCt3dp2hGoBYUHuqlx8rS6~OBJQWnLNpbp8UVCqXZDMhHFT5BG0e1n~r2emcQHcTPNfVvZwahFBt~8CenYc-lLuEeDL~LgHbTA2q65eGj0pk2l36YVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Walker County","date","2025-02-07T16:55:57.72Z","article","LAFAYETTE, Ga. — The Walker County Board of Commissioners approved acceptance of a behavioral-health deflection grant on Feb. 6 that will place licensed behavioral-health staff in the local jail to assess and begin treatment planning for inmates with mental-health and substance-use issues.

Alex Litz, who said she wrote the grant while serving as the sheriff’s office grant writer, told the board the award would fund a full-time therapist and a full-time case manager to work with inmates “to work with each and every inmate to find out what’s the issue. Is it housing? Are they homeless? Are they having a drug issue?” She said the award amount is $191,386 and that the grant runs through Dec. 30 of the same year; Litz explained that there is a delay in the federal funding and that extensions or renewals are possible.

Chairwoman Angela Teams noted that the county government acts as the fiduciary for grants applied for by county departments and that the county’s finance office will handle deposits and disbursements for the program. Commissioners voted to accept the grant and to allow the county to serve as the fiscal agent.

Why it matters: County officials said an on-site therapist and case manager could reduce recidivism, facilitate quicker connections to community services, and address a high share of inmates with behavioral-health needs. The sheriff’s office reported that roughly 40% of the jail population shows mental-health issues or related needs, creating a substantial caseload for the proposed program.

Funding and oversight: Litz said the award covers two full-time salaries plus fringe benefits, training and travel expenses for program staff. The county’s finance department will be responsible for grant accounting; commissioners approved placement of the grant in county financial systems so payments to vendors and employees can be made.

Speakers
- Alex Litz, grant writer / compliance officer (county/sheriff's office-related role) (government)
- Angela Teams, Chairwoman, Walker County Board of Commissioners (government)

Authorities
- Governor’s Criminal Justice Coordinating Council subgrant program (grant source referenced as part of discussion)

Clarifying details
- Award amount: $191,386; grant period through Dec. 30 of the award year, with possibility of extension or renewal.
- Program staffing: full-time therapist and full-time case manager; grant covers salaries and fringe benefits and training.

Next steps
- County finance to establish accounting for the grant, accept funds and manage disbursements; sheriff’s office to coordinate hiring and onboarding of program staff.

Searchable tags: jail reentry, behavioral health, grant, Walker County, sheriff

Provenance: grant presentation during new-business portion of the meeting and unanimous board approval.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Walker County Board of Commissioners Meeting - February 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","County commissioners approved a grant to fund a behavioral health deflection program in the county jail that will pay for two positions to provide therapy, case management and reentry services; the county will be the fiscal agent for the award.","taxTitle","Walker County, Georgia","taxId",28671,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6699143,"County approves AT&T/FirstNet wireless tower application for Chickamauga to improve coverage and 911 connectivity",1984,3796000,5780000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2247885-eccb9e6dc70cb44d6b5a05267ae1508f&start=3796&end=5780","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2247885-eccb9e6dc70cb44d6b5a05267ae1508f/thumbnail_3796000.jpg","/articles/6699143/Walker-County/Georgia/County-approves-ATTFirstNet-wireless-tower-application-for-Chickamauga-to-improve-coverage-and-911-connectivity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6699143-272e99111c7a879e82ad5b2909c4fe1b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770948296&Signature=oTvlnvOSn4tZ~vZlNseQ55Dh2ZV-OG3tqVqS~6ChRyl8DVJnKnuFUFxqnU5QvLIyzAgMZVxYPmJhNHP566JeDHPB4d9lVFEb8uiuB-MLvqPSagbWM0UR4PHr4NZ2dV5ZQh6D7IvOs5ZkD2qjM95~wGeOSRaqFzYYD86qH1VyegdJhTnNGQvw1GsG0rqegpBnUDaStME0YqI2N8FvNNJunPSrkIizYOXgLw3blhBdZJNmLJ5gsazaerVt4XAXhXuwHEoNOKe0iqIe-5Wo7WygrBlN3lwxP5Jt2dtN1dEF05rTn0GMuRay588KXIIWvBWlf20CCiU7EKjbzEamGmeY2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","LAFAYETTE, Ga. — Walker County commissioners voted unanimously on Feb. 6 to approve a wireless communications facility in the Chickamauga area after hearing a presentation that highlighted public-safety and connectivity benefits.

Counsel for the applicant, Robert Grant and co-counsel David Pike of Pike Legal Group, told commissioners the tower would support FirstNet — a dedicated communications network for first responders — and help close mobile coverage gaps. “Seventy percent of all 9-1-1 calls are made with a mobile device,” Pike told the board during a short presentation, adding that the tower would carry FirstNet equipment and deploy 5G technology.

Grant and Pike said AT&T will pay the costs to build and operate the facility; the county will not incur construction costs. Planning staff confirmed the application met the county’s distance and zoning criteria for a communications tower in the proposed location.

Commission action and context: The board considered planning staff materials and the company’s submission, including evidence that the proposal complied with applicable siting criteria. The chair noted the tower fits the county’s broader connectivity goals; commissioners discussed co-location possibilities and how other carriers may place equipment on the structure in the future.

Outcome: The Board of Commissioners approved the application by unanimous vote and instructed staff to proceed with permit processing. The applicant said construction timelines depend on resource allocation but noted similar towers have been erected quickly after approval.

Speakers
- David Pike, co-counsel, Pike Legal Group (presenter for the applicant)
- Robert Grant, counsel, Pike Legal Group (presenter for the applicant)
- John Parsley, director of planning (government)
- Angela Teams, Chairwoman, Walker County Board of Commissioners (government)

Authorities
- FirstNet (federal public-safety communications program) (referenced in presentation)

Clarifying details
- Applicant counsel said the facility would deploy 5G technology and FirstNet equipment and that AT&T would cover construction costs; the county would not fund the project.
- Planning staff confirmed the application met county siting and zoning criteria for communications facilities.

Searchable tags: wireless-tower, FirstNet, AT&T, 5G, public-safety, Walker County

Provenance: presentation by applicant counsel and planning staff recommendation; final vote recorded in regular meeting.","The board unanimously approved a wireless communications facility application presented by Pike Legal on behalf of AT&T/FirstNet; the company said the tower will bring 5G and FirstNet connectivity to improve emergency communications and internet access in a rural part of Walker County.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6699147,"Residents press Walker County on SPLOST accounting and finances; chairwoman pledges quarterly public reports",592,2188000,2780000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2247885-eccb9e6dc70cb44d6b5a05267ae1508f&start=2188&end=2780","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2247885-eccb9e6dc70cb44d6b5a05267ae1508f/thumbnail_2188000.jpg","/articles/6699147/Walker-County/Georgia/Residents-press-Walker-County-on-SPLOST-accounting-and-finances-chairwoman-pledges-quarterly-public-reports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6699147-2672835f39dfdd12728cbf9482b0c01b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770948296&Signature=hOpfE94bhIm3-HwBtuYzOIha1QYaURtQbD4nOjv0PfXIkiJlC~Z2ZnL8SQFFlweLNGzJTk5NsZmtlAQLiedRDBprjYI~cRWXgSJoMoy~WvG8ok1CQuincgGG2Um~j~21OEQTGQ7XIhgojTV6sZ5Apbcl7QZZ50xZVjdA3Q31wyy3mTkczRlLcKQa09xHBaFvvLW9r0LgZjqBWXd3lfbNd7DWiXbt8eS3WE8cc22Z2YdNQBB0ptTgqH1QVGGl~V3AdvZug93JfG~CnuoxJ-s0qWWhBKwnufSFwzKz8WyvkU1uWMjiGnbThGSJtwT5vK6LrgdeJ89icqwKfxznEBH4ZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","LAFAYETTE, Ga. — Residents pressed Walker County leaders on Friday about the status of Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds, the county’s debt and the timing of annual audits; the county chairwoman said she will begin issuing quarterly public financial reports.

At a packed public-comment session, Melissa Hulsey, a resident who spoke during the meeting’s public hearing and again during the public-comment period, raised audit findings in the 2022 and 2023 county audits that said the county had recorded amounts due to the SPLOST fund and intended to reimburse the fund from the general fund. Hulsey asked whether the SPLOST account has been reconciled and whether the county should delay planned SPLOST expenditures until the accounting is clear.

Chairwoman Angela Teams responded that she has asked the county chief financial officer to run an internal reconciliation and that she planned to begin sharing quarterly financial reports with the public. “On a quarterly basis, to share with the public what our finances are,” Teams said. She told the meeting she wanted at least a quarter under her belt before beginning that public reporting, given regular day-to-day fluctuations in cash balances.

Several speakers asked pointed questions about how much SPLOST money remains in specific departmental accounts and whether funds previously earmarked for projects have been properly spent. Resident Ned Yates questioned the administration over statements he heard that the county was “broke”; the chairwoman in turn explained that while some previously recorded liabilities had been zeroed out, the county is not in a critical debt position and still carries routine operating liabilities.

Hulsey explained why the SPLOST question matters: projects and replacement vehicles authorized under SPLOST must be spent in accordance with the approved plan or returned to the state. She told commissioners that some departmental SPLOST accounts — including a vehicle-replacement fund she cited — showed small expenditures so far, which could require the county to return unspent money if the state finds the funds were not used as intended.

Teams said the county is also reviewing donation accounts that support the county animal shelter; she described a plan to use shelter donations and a county voucher program to offer free spay/neuter services, starting with about 40 vouchers per month, with participating veterinarians under contract.

What was requested and decided: No binding financial action was taken at the meeting; instead, residents asked for details and the chairwoman committed to better public reporting and internal reconciliation. Teams said the county’s annual audit for 2024 was underway and would be available after auditors return their reports to the county.

Speakers
- Melissa Hulsey, resident and public commenter (citizen)
- Angela Teams, Chairwoman, Walker County Board of Commissioners (government)
- Jim Pope, resident and public commenter (citizen)
- Ned Yates, resident and public commenter (citizen)
- Commissioner Hart; Commissioner Blakemore; Commissioner Wilson (government)

Authorities
- SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) state rules and the county’s SPLOST plan (referenced by public commenters and chairwoman)

Clarifying details
- Chairwoman Teams said internal reconciliations are in progress and that the county will pursue reimbursements from the general fund if needed to correct SPLOST accounting.
- Teams said the county’s 2024 annual audit was just completed by the auditors and that the county was awaiting final delivery of the report.

Community relevance
- Hitting SPLOST compliance could affect multi-department projects including vehicle replacements and infrastructure; the discussion affects countywide budgets and departments that rely on SPLOST appropriations.

Next steps
- Chairwoman Teams: begin quarterly public financial briefings; finance staff to complete internal reconciliation of SPLOST accounts and work with auditors.

Searchable tags: SPLOST, audit, county finances, Walker County, public comment

Provenance: public comment and subsequent discussion in regular meeting; audit conversation recorded in public-comment section.","Citizens pressed the Walker County Board of Commissioners about SPLOST accounting, annual audits and overall county finances. Chairwoman Angela Teams said she will provide quarterly public financial updates and that the county is conducting internal reconciliations.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6699150,"Walker County approves three zoning variances, denies two amid residents' concerns about rural development",5434,247000,5681000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2247885-eccb9e6dc70cb44d6b5a05267ae1508f&start=247&end=5681","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2247885-eccb9e6dc70cb44d6b5a05267ae1508f/thumbnail_247000.jpg","/articles/6699150/Walker-County/Georgia/Walker-County-approves-three-zoning-variances-denies-two-amid-residents-concerns-about-rural-development","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6699150-305bfa3962d07b70a97cfd919ac29494/orig.mp4?Expires=1770948296&Signature=a1YXHYayw-F7J2Lz8j-ly4JLr3IQX468q75gJz5rXsRwNe3qNRaqrh3o0KBKzVqH51mHtwMVewAa8-fD01zoyVJiWeqP5P8inwTHGWX0USIad~Y1zyGVI0vx5YTVYIDn-OcsQh4ix8cm84AsQMsAbx~~Q9T33uJnwTsZ8myc5X2KL5UIVezeJQXw5D~3Wx6lLsUOzc5XH~Z6kM-SizLJpVPDecxTPENPTJA-iGiPtAna7B88qaWfj0AJCqxSJ92xUe1GFN~nO-TNpxBYaCQL2ib-K9zZG5nI6P5EqkMQaOLmZa9J6PAA5tsxwtHFy10-w063zxjXsV6mWCkz5-lrqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","LAFAYETTE, Ga. — The Walker County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 6 approved three land-use requests and denied two after a public hearing that drew neighbors objecting to further subdivision in agricultural zones.

The board approved a variance that will let Susan Gail Carroll divide a parcel at 1967 Kemp Road into a piece smaller than the five-acre minimum for the A-1 agricultural district. The board also approved a conditional-use variance for property at 368 McIntyre Road in Rock Spring requested on behalf of Amber Doty and granted a rezone request to convert 222 Allgood Road in Flintstone from A-1 agriculture to R-2 residential.

At the same hearing the board denied a variance request for property at 219 Furnace Creek Road and a separate variance request for 1178 Kemp Road after planning staff and the planning commission recommended denial. Those staff recommendations noted the county’s comprehensive plan designates the parcels’ future use as agricultural/forestry rather than rural residential.

Why it matters: Commissioners and planning staff said the comprehensive plan should guide changes to land use to avoid piecemeal “spot zoning” that could erode farmland and change the character of rural areas.

Neighbors from the Camp Road area raised road-safety and quality-of-life concerns during public comment on one contested parcel. Amanda Birch, who lives adjacent to 1178 Camp Road, told commissioners that the property often floods and that additional dwellings would increase traffic at a blind hill near a school bus route. “Adding another residence with more people in there is just gonna continue to add to the risk,” Birch said.

Melissa Hulsey, a resident who spoke on multiple requests, urged the board to adhere to the county’s comprehensive plan, saying in part that “deviating from the comprehensive plan can set a precedent for unwanted growth.” Hulsey cited a line from the plan saying the future development map should “advise officials in appropriate zoning decisions that are consistent with the character of the area.”

Planning and vote details: Planning staff and the planning and zoning commission reviewed each request and issued recommendations that the board followed in four of the five contested cases.

- Susan Gail Carroll, 1967 Kemp Road (A-1): Planning staff and the planning commission recommended approval; the board voted to approve the variance.
- Justin Keener, 219 Furnace Creek Road (A-1): Planning staff and the commission recommended denial; the board voted to deny the variance.
- Joseph Bales / Mr. Pippins, 1178 Kemp Road (A-1): Planning staff and the commission recommended denial; the board voted to deny the variance after neighbors cited flooding, trash and safety concerns.
- Amber Doty (represented at hearing by Robert Doty), 368 McIntyre Road (A-1): Planning staff and the commission recommended approval of a conditional-use variance; the board approved the request.
- Trevor Taylor, 222 Allgood Road (A-1 → R-2): Planning staff and the commission recommended approval of rezoning to R-2 residential; the board approved the rezoning.

How the board described the decisions: Chairwoman Angela Teams said the board considered planning staff recommendations and public comment in each case. She noted that the planning and zoning commission’s guidance was a central factor in determining whether a request aligned with the county’s comprehensive plan.

What’s next: Commissioners and planning staff said enforcement and future development will continue to be guided by the comprehensive plan and by planning commission review. Several speakers asked the board to be mindful of cumulative impacts if multiple small divisions are approved in the same area.

Votes at a glance:
- Variance approved — 1967 Kemp Rd (Susan Gail Carroll): outcome approved (unanimous)
- Variance denied — 219 Furnace Creek Rd (Justin Keener): outcome denied (unanimous)
- Variance denied — 1178 Kemp Rd (Joseph Bales / Mr. Pippins): outcome denied (unanimous)
- Conditional-use variance approved — 368 McIntyre Rd (Amber/Robert Doty): outcome approved (unanimous)
- Rezone approved — 222 Allgood Rd (Trevor Taylor): outcome approved (unanimous)

Speakers
- Angela Teams, Chairwoman, Walker County Board of Commissioners (government)
- Susan Gail Carroll, applicant (citizen/property owner)
- Justin Keener, applicant (absent) (citizen/property owner)
- Joseph Bales / “Mr. Pippins”, applicant (citizen/property owner)
- Robert Doty, speaking for Amber Doty, applicant (citizen/property owner)
- Trevor Taylor, applicant (citizen/property owner)
- Melissa Hulsey, resident and public commenter (citizen)
- Amanda Birch, Camp Road resident (citizen)
- Mike Sims, neighboring resident (citizen)
- Emily Hill, neighboring resident and local cattle farmer (citizen)
- John Parsley, director of planning (government)
- Board members: Commissioner Blakemore; Commissioner Hart; Commissioner Wilson; Commissioner Askew (government)

Authorities
- Walker County Comprehensive Plan (referenced by planning staff and public commenters)
- Walker County Planning and Zoning ordinance (referenced via staff/commission procedures)

Clarifying details
- Parcels and addresses for each request were read on the record and are reflected above.
- Planning staff and planning commission recommendations were the explicit basis for most motions.

Searchable tags: zoning, variances, rezoning, comprehensive plan, Walker County, Kemp Road, Allgood Road, public hearing

Provenance: topicintro at the start of the public hearing portion of the transcript; topfinish at the end of the rezones and board votes section.","The Walker County Board of Commissioners approved three requests to divide or rezone small parcels and denied two others after a public hearing that drew residents worried about preserving agricultural land and road safety.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_46":116,"_48":117,"_50":118,"_52":119,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":120,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":121,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6699134,"Commissioners approve radios and multiple county vehicles; fuel-system upgrade tabled for additional bids",374,5783000,6157000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2247885-eccb9e6dc70cb44d6b5a05267ae1508f&start=5783&end=6157","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2247885-eccb9e6dc70cb44d6b5a05267ae1508f/thumbnail_5783000.jpg","/articles/6699134/Walker-County/Georgia/Commissioners-approve-radios-and-multiple-county-vehicles-fuel-system-upgrade-tabled-for-additional-bids","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6699134-c0e834170ce742d3966038bd5b3bad42/orig.mp4?Expires=1770948296&Signature=Ic-XNwFv~e0DuwXHkGQN-k-7UsZLbCp3ScjvQOzsfYZEm0eoZWmJHEsuPO5987bLGuo-q526AJnc-ijnCh9yiUpDEiGkCGzCSnshlc43C~QPNBUWbYpr6tlm2VHUljIe3ffRvgk7mMqPcaznQVS48wlpSg4pwx5mJpq3SkdGz4hhkrNW~gRphWQjvgjbAwrTgD0vWTpPpfnmAQWvh-svNt360GYW~scy1nKyXFKbfjoxD6XtJDYNyP6tusGVUXzEqYhh9dpqS~96AghrQnvjxhxiFRh~-dEYXFVw8U75Ye8E~3yKvwgfovUpRxVHNnXlPWhspQ-5haGKi1ea14~wqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","LAFAYETTE, Ga. — During the Feb. 6 meeting the Walker County Board of Commissioners approved purchase orders for communications equipment and multiple vehicles across county departments, and tabled a proposed fuel-site upgrade while staff gathers additional competitive quotes.

What the board approved: County officials authorized the purchase of 45 mobile radios for the sheriff’s office ($107,406.37 to Sunny Communications) and radios and batteries for Fire & Rescue ($84,162.24 to Motorola Solutions). The board also approved purchase orders for vehicles for emergency management, planning and codes, facilities/maintenance and landfill operations; several were funded from the 2020 SPLOST vehicle replacement allocations.

Curtis Creekmer, the county emergency-management director, explained the radio purchases are intended to replace aging units and to prepare for an upcoming encryption upgrade in the radio system. “The sheriff’s department was requesting funds to replace or upgrade existing original radios for their fleet…to get prepared for encryption,” Creekmer told commissioners. He said some radios in service were more than a decade old.

Fleet additions and replacements: Commissioners approved purchase orders to acquire multiple vehicles, including a new emergency-management vehicle ($63,805.30), a planning/codes vehicle ($47,510.16) to support newly hired code-enforcement staff, a facilities box truck and two landfill vehicles (totaling about $92,000 combined). Commissioners discussed that some vehicles will replace older units and some will be added to the county fleet to support restored or expanded departmental functions.

Fuel system upgrade tabled: A proposed upgrade to the county’s main fuel-dispensing system at the central fueling site was priced at $99,998 with Estes Equipment Company. Staff said the existing pumps and electronics are more than 20 years old and costly to repair. Commissioners agreed to request additional quotes and to delay awarding the contract for roughly two weeks, to allow staff to solicit competitive bids and confirm local support and warranty considerations; the item was tabled for further information.

Why it matters: The equipment and vehicle purchases are intended to modernize county operations, improve first-responder communications and replenish a fleet that commissioners said had been run down in prior years. The fuel-system item drew extra scrutiny because of its cost and because staff recommended a vendor with which the county already has a long-term relationship; commissioners asked staff to pursue at least one additional estimate before approval.

Speakers
- Curtis Creekmer, Emergency Management Director (government)
- Rick Carr and Carlin Bowers, Public Works / Fleet staff (government)
- Chairwoman Angela Teams and multiple commissioners (government)

Authorities
- 2020 SPLOST vehicle-replacement allocations (referenced as funding source for multiple approved purchases)

Clarifying details
- Radio purchases: 45 mobile units for sheriff ($107,406.37) and radio package for fire rescue ($84,162.24).
- Vehicle purchases: multiple purchase orders approved; amounts and intended departments recorded on the purchase orders in the meeting record.
- Fuel system upgrade: vendor proposed $99,998; commissioners tabled for two weeks to seek additional quotes and local support details.

Next steps
- Staff to process purchase orders and begin procurement/delivery steps for approved radios and vehicles.
- Public-works staff to obtain additional quotes and warranty support information for the fuel-system upgrade and report back to the board for a special or next regular meeting.

Searchable tags: procurement, radios, vehicles, SPLOST, fuel system, Walker County

Provenance: purchase-order items during consent and new-business portions of the meeting; motion votes recorded on the public record.","Walker County commissioners approved purchase orders for mobile radios (sheriff, fire), several county vehicles and an EMA vehicle, and agreed to seek additional quotes on a proposed $100,000 fuel-system upgrade before acting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Walker County to host federally funded jail behavioral-health program; county will act as grant fiduciary

County approves AT&T/FirstNet wireless tower application for Chickamauga to improve coverage and 911 connectivity

Residents press Walker County on SPLOST accounting and finances; chairwoman pledges quarterly public reports

Walker County approves three zoning variances, denies two amid residents' concerns about rural development

Commissioners approve radios and multiple county vehicles; fuel-system upgrade tabled for additional bids