[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-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],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":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,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6298465,"mediaKeyId","2504435-aef65d3b79b03cecb4549f14fbc0625c","parentId",2504435,"title","Spalding County commissioners approve grants, procurement policy, park fees, contracts and sewer support in 4-0 votes","audioSeconds",4296,"startMs",200000,"endMs",4496000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2504435-aef65d3b79b03cecb4549f14fbc0625c&start=200&end=4496","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2504435-aef65d3b79b03cecb4549f14fbc0625c/thumbnail_200000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6298465/Spalding-County/Georgia/Spalding-County-commissioners-approve-grants-procurement-policy-park-fees-contracts-and-sewer-support-in-4-0-votes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6298465-fd0b80d6e2a3478acc2a51e302d1b726/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159465&Signature=gtGddNKRGeZL~mUR2YTUHGbsYCZiu36tYWCuenWD2AzOP6JgI3xKWW5i1Cdon4iywEIoMYltFKvKlYJkruZSp-84-RTYCwxy-wlIcwP03vCkwLTAzeW6LQJXHIJ~AN1tzuRiekNBV4VYSHxIULHFb-ncux~QR18PHxuWlw15wM58otQajwoTvHeO38SiEIlqFD-9Tyd1SFxGYEMIP5xtZeqZjulit54TdFAa9U5nr~v4ZZ2UKaXVqJpEqXjDU1NFZrTArdeRZY09piHAphx6IYBM9pwmkRp0eOm1tWkx2cfbavEfq6g~vKxz-bOrHPMqLDrJRUTbqsZxjG97~YAryw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-04T12:37:23Z","article","The Spalding County Board of Commissioners approved a slate of grants, policy updates, contracts and budget directives by unanimous votes at its March 3 regular meeting.

Major board actions included accepting audit reports, approving a revised procurement policy, approving multiple grant awards, approving contracts for facility and airport work, updating park fees and directing consideration of a sewer commitment for the AKB employment corridor.

In finance, auditors Moulton Jenkins presented the fiscal year 2024 comprehensive annual financial report and issued an \"unmodified opinion\" — a clean audit — with no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in internal control. The auditors reported general fund revenues of about $69,000,000 and expenditures near $64,000,000; property taxes were roughly $36,000,000 (about 52% of general fund revenues). The county’s general fund balance increased by roughly $5.5 million in 2024 to a year-end balance of about $25 million. The board voted to accept the audit report, 4-0.

The board adopted a comprehensive update to the county procurement policy, intended to align county purchasing with federal and state regulations and modernize internal controls; the policy was finalized Jan. 27 and approved on a 4-0 vote.

The board accepted an $80,115 Solid Waste Trust Fund Tire-Derived Product Grant from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division to resurface Sunnyside Park walking trail with a recycled tire product, improve drainage and accessibility. The motion to accept the grant passed 4-0.

A $36,690 Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) award to the Spalding County Corrections Institute was accepted 4-0. County staff said the funds will buy handheld detection wands and advanced drug-testing supplies for fentanyl and methamphetamine detection; no local match was required.

The board accepted a $10,000 apprenticeship grant from the Technical College System of Georgia to enroll two county firefighters in a registered apprenticeship program with Southern Crescent Technical College; the motion passed 4-0.

Parks staff presented a revised FY26 fee schedule recommended by the Parks and Leisure Advisory Commission. The board approved the schedule, including a 25% higher reserved-use rate for out-of-county users and a commission-recommended exemption allowing homeschool groups free access to tennis courts (in parity with school system fees). The change passed 4-0.

The board approved an out-of-state motor coach request from the Macon Tracks Bridal Club to use a county vehicle for an April 10 day trip to Wetumpka, Ala.; staff said participant fees will cover operating costs. Motion passed 4-0.

On capital projects and contracts: the board approved a design and construction-document contract for demolition and reconstruction of the Heritage Park gym in the amount of $285,005.96 (part of an overall $4,000,000 project) and approved agreement language for airport engineering and planning assistance tied to a GDOT project (~$444,637) with a county maximum obligation of about $55,580 under an existing intergovernmental agreement; both motions passed 4-0.

The board also approved a letter of support to the Georgia Department of Transportation for construction of a single-lane roundabout at the Jackson Road/State Route 155 and North McDonough Road intersection, part of a larger roadway redesignation and commercial-traffic planning process; motion passed 4-0.

In old business, the Spalding County Water and Sewerage Facilities Authority requested the board consider a $500,000 FY26 contribution in support of a sewer project for the AKB employment corridor, with the Authority asking that similar support be considered for three years as construction begins. The board voted 4-0 to provide the requested $500,000 commitment for the current fiscal year and to consider future years in subsequent budget cycles.

During citizen comment the board heard two speakers. A resident from Hereford Farm Road asked for code enforcement help with beavers flooding a private driveway; staff said code enforcement would contact her. A second resident reported repeated loud music and late-night events at an event center across from Mystic Acres and said the center had not pulled required permits; staff acknowledged the complaint and said code enforcement had provided guidance on permits and time/volume limits.

The meeting concluded after an executive session; following that session the board directed the county attorney to notify Building 4 Fabricators that the county considers the company in breach of contract and to terminate the county’s relationship with the firm. That motion carried 4-0.

Votes at a glance (selected items):
- Accept FY24 comprehensive annual financial report (auditor Moulton Jenkins): approved 4-0.
- Adopt county procurement policy (finalized Jan. 27): approved 4-0.
- Accept Georgia DNR tire-derived product grant ($80,115) for Sunnyside Park trail: approved 4-0.
- Accept BJA JAG award ($36,690) for corrections detection project: approved 4-0.
- Accept Technical College System of Georgia apprenticeship grant ($10,000) for two firefighter apprenticeships: approved 4-0.
- Approve Heritage Park Gym demolition/construction documents contract ($285,005.96): approved 4-0.
- Approve GDOT airport engineering agreement; county max obligation ~$55,580: approved 4-0.
- Approve letter of support for single-lane roundabout at SR-155/N. McDonough: approved 4-0.
- Approve $500,000 FY26 contribution request for AKB employment corridor sewer project: approved 4-0.
- Direct county attorney to notify Building 4 Fabricators of breach and terminate contract: approved 4-0.

Why it matters: The package of approvals moves capital projects, parks improvements and seizure-detection and training programs forward and sets budget priorities (including a potential $500,000 contribution to sewer infrastructure) to support economic development in the AKB corridor. Several approvals also carry grant funds that reduce local match burdens.

What’s next: Staff will incorporate the judge-startup estimate and the sewer request into FY26 budget planning, move forward with design contracts and submit the rounds of grant-acceptance paperwork required by state and federal grantors.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","6:00 PM March 3rd, 2025 Spalding County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Spalding County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a package of grants, policy updates, contracts and budget directives at its March 3 meeting.","taxTitle","Spalding County, Georgia","taxId",28543,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6298470,"Spalding County commissioners back resolution to add second state court judge; estimated start-up cost ~$1.97M",300,1121000,1421000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2504435-aef65d3b79b03cecb4549f14fbc0625c&start=1121&end=1421","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2504435-aef65d3b79b03cecb4549f14fbc0625c/thumbnail_1121000.jpg","/articles/6298470/Spalding-County/Georgia/Spalding-County-commissioners-back-resolution-to-add-second-state-court-judge-estimated-start-up-cost-197M","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6298470-c6822f932927c8d39852b1390ae6c7f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159465&Signature=nHgvygWuztAl-N~kvqkJN8Ftb06wZt-TINMeES30TO75IQoLqPt4D3S4RIellV8Ui7CCqWIAcvIHT-x4JOckhz6rV9rdwC6FmuQWuq-cvWl9YrIbar1enl5KNif7woMocICtE7K2quyDYERVUtVi3z-vlmc983FhxCAqJVGdFwefbxYr3yj6E4yttI4MzmuOgGnDpyIgHZX0CawkmoSUG5EqbOjOUfn2Osd9-koq4XQPGDZXXF41mFgKTCu8hTc0Xw47UORBxX~~DqyMgVbcta1dQuCGkyua8Fw3iliBDoznk6KZe15v6uQ4haHSJDM~Z5TIHXxiBOljSjUD5LmW9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Spalding County Board of Commissioners voted 4-0 Monday to approve a resolution supporting the addition of a second state court judge for the county.

The measure follows a presentation by State Court Judge Thacker, who told commissioners the court is handling the caseload of roughly three judges with a single judge and team. \"I can move 50 cases,\" Thacker said, \"I need to move 250 cases a month.\" He said bonded criminal cases are the primary backlog and that civil and traffic dockets are caught up.

The resolution asks county budgeting staff to include the new judge in fiscal planning. County staff told the board that standing up the judge, including the judge’s staff plus additional required personnel for the solicitor and clerk of court, would cost about $1,970,000 in the first year. The county manager said that staffing costs and timing would be coordinated with other budget priorities and that some current contracted senior-judge expenses could be reduced as a full-time judge comes online.

Judge Thacker said the court had temporarily reduced a backlog from \"6,000 down to 550,\" but warned the number could rise again without more staff. Commissioners asked about the potential offset from reducing senior-judge contracts; Thacker said the demand for contracted judges should decline over time but not immediately replace all temporary help.

The board moved, seconded and approved the resolution by voice vote, 4-0.

Why it matters: Commissioners and the judge framed the question as one of capacity and public safety: bonded criminal caseloads are driving the need for an additional full-time judge and related support staff. The roughly $2 million first-year estimate will be weighed against other budget priorities as the county prepares its FY26 budget.","The Spalding County Board of Commissioners voted 4-0 to support adding a second state court judge after State Court Judge Thacker described a growing backlog of bonded criminal cases. County staff estimated roughly $1.97 million to stand up the new judge’s staffing and supporting positions.","actionData","errors"]

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Spalding County commissioners approve grants, procurement policy, park fees, contracts and sewer support in 4-0 votes

Spalding County commissioners back resolution to add second state court judge; estimated start-up cost ~$1.97M