[{"_1":2,"_120":-5,"_121":-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",[32,75,87,99,110],{"_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":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6118633,"mediaKeyId","2723040-3110cba401b9662c07e624262dff8b3e","parentId",2723040,"title","Finance presents 2024 budget amendments reflecting higher billing revenue; commissioners approve","audioSeconds",241,"startMs",1617000,"endMs",1858000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2723040-3110cba401b9662c07e624262dff8b3e&start=1617&end=1858","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2723040-3110cba401b9662c07e624262dff8b3e/thumbnail_1617000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6118633/Pickens-County/Georgia/Finance-presents-2024-budget-amendments-reflecting-higher-billing-revenue-commissioners-approve","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6118633-ffa71673d2779e51a185339d432749b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770986242&Signature=Fig1D2qZeRbrbjleNX3oPl4EVrJXtJEQ3ELjbeWgPiKKUObgTrZXz1kWZKA5Feq4PyE6Nv04Nkdw7P9EEM9IckFY-m41rj6fDD~ObKVgCgpddc7LqKs5b9gWLMFG-ESQLhbF-RXIU8Sj5f9jV4rWcDZKQFaGMh6QC0fdne4ERhtXZw-xBIinimuFXwRFOuSzxOQo4Rq~6ifvtulPNnrwxVkB2bRECQshIHgzaSEI1L8tfagbelY43CRpFha2~qxq4VStRFdIgz6feK3MbsYcfxy8K~T6kICEVH0vYdqRNZwL~jFrIrdFojy468r6il5szL-cvAC69V-PDo0m6i1BnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","KnowPickens","date","2025-03-17T00:00:00Z","article","Pickens County finance staff presented amendments to the 2024 budget March 17 to reconcile activity through the audit process. Finance staff reported that billing activity created excess revenue over expenditures of $1,235,079 to date in 2024; staff described the amendments as reflecting approximately a 5% revenue increase and a 3% increase in expenditures.

Miranda, the finance staff member who presented the amendments, said the changes are intended to produce cleaner, balanced reports ahead of audit completion. The board voted to approve the budget amendments and authorized the necessary county signatures. The county audit team is expected to return to complete the audit and present the audited financials at a later meeting.

The board approved the amendments by voice vote; minutes record “Aye” with no recorded opposition.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pickens County Board of Commissioners | March 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","County finance staff presented 2024 budget amendments noting approximately $1.24 million in additional billing revenue; commissioners approved the amendments to reconcile revenues and expenditures.","taxTitle","Pickens County, Georgia","taxId",55054,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6118638,"County awards Johnson Paving and Colton's Trucking contracts for parking and road work",294,1015000,1309000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2723040-3110cba401b9662c07e624262dff8b3e&start=1015&end=1309","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2723040-3110cba401b9662c07e624262dff8b3e/thumbnail_1015000.jpg","/articles/6118638/Pickens-County/Georgia/County-awards-Johnson-Paving-and-Coltons-Trucking-contracts-for-parking-and-road-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6118638-77b270c804d2477b4868bbf8e187f55f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770986242&Signature=XY6U-4HpduPLEUt~rPDUlT0znUtv56FuKpuzVzAHNO5DTuGQr6SMeLs9MJxZI7maJL8w7-BNCLdKknlVcXhD~PSDUUOkQ6ZKgfLDuJrGx0QB9qa-YVSJqy0gpURmjbVPjBvsdX-uLq6~MXH4x5aLsVj3xmcUYm1hsYvwOc~rR75~TKdkW8uPRQs-opkbD7NsUdTqsLepRKFaqcTdmBGP4WwPYTDGjAy8CcR8SiGgbWY3zyaWavdUNcomYuhfwN8GEP4Po8Ep9f74dx9GSmWhpZF493ikbbJgXgE-mDy8fdqV6XP7BqPYeoInKWu31tswoAWp1F~zC-8Yjc6VKnnZuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pickens County commissioners on March 17 authorized county staff to engage low bidders on two separate paving procurements: a parking-lot paving contract for the county administrative building and library, and a multi-road paving contract that covers several county roads.

For the county parking projects the low bidder was Johnson Paving LLC of Blue Ridge with a bid of $419,827.56. County staff said 12 bid packets were originally requested and seven bids were received; engineers reviewed the bids and recommended the low bidder. The board authorized the chairman to sign all necessary documents to engage Johnson Paving.

For the road paving package the low bidder was Colton's Trucking with a bid of $2,001,060.13 for the roads included in the solicitation. County staff noted the Henderson Mountain Road segment requires completion of a waterline relocation and approval from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division before paving can proceed; if EPD approval is not obtained the board agreed the county could remove that segment from the contract and proceed with the remaining roads. Commissioners approved awarding the contract and authorized the chairman to execute contract documents.

Both awards were approved by voice vote and the minutes record “Aye” with no recorded opposition.

County staff will proceed with contract preparation and schedule work once documents are signed and required state approvals are in place.","Pickens County awarded a $419,827.56 parking lot paving contract to Johnson Paving LLC and a $2,001,060.13 road paving contract to Colton's Trucking; Henderson Mountain Road segment remains contingent on EPD waterline approval.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6118641,"County approves participation in GDOT bridge replacement on State Route 136",183,1771000,1954000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2723040-3110cba401b9662c07e624262dff8b3e&start=1771&end=1954","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2723040-3110cba401b9662c07e624262dff8b3e/thumbnail_1771000.jpg","/articles/6118641/Pickens-County/Georgia/County-approves-participation-in-GDOT-bridge-replacement-on-State-Route-136","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6118641-65cee139c87ec9202741915ac7529c48/orig.mp4?Expires=1770986242&Signature=UPjrR3PKBxgHA47XuynXBhvzxoIJc7Z32erls5JruCYoqjPLZDcmQOcJqxZ1HN~UrdBXLTNlZ-VECHD0yUsV35hiCq~27m3y99OQtI~pLZrpmgUKpIwF~PLizQJ6nG~BIU7cC1TAeJOlMVn-U6WvguKmPWj5DNML0EbEhL5d-oXSc41CpHS297pe93vdUkdY8XhgO4x4VmJjsi467k7WXLnkwIiy~9bQGmIV~B6Rz5rqenx1hXWL5iPX9173r4IFrBsvhZ-NY2Ijv9yu2Jp216fjPrXiSf6tb0FmrvWh-IyL3v89u1ON1mRuVC-H4tzdCCnC8MXM00YI7amgzBiRqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pickens County commissioners voted March 17 to authorize the chairman to sign an agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation to participate in a bridge replacement project on State Route 136 at Tuckenridge Creek.

According to the project summary included in the county packet, the total project cost is listed as $296,000.94. The packet identifies $258,851 as in-kind costs, and it lists $155,000 as utility aid for in-kind costs. The packet also shows the county’s share of certain in-kind costs as 40% (listed as $103,000) and a separate betterment payment stated as $37,000. County staff presented the agreement to the board and asked for authorization for the chairman to sign the contract with GDOT.

During discussion commissioners clarified the construction staging and utility relocations: county water lines that run through the project corridor will be rerouted for the temporary work zone and then restored, and a temporary alignment will be used while the bridge is replaced. The county anticipates some in-kind contributions and a cash betterment payment as described in the packet. The board approved participation by voice vote; minutes record “Aye” with no opposition.

The board’s authorization directs the chairman to finalize the agreement; county staff will follow procurement and utility-relocation steps in coordination with GDOT and property owners.","Pickens County authorized the chairman to sign an agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation to participate in a bridge replacement on State Route 136 at Tuckenridge Creek; packet materials list the project cost and county cost-share breakdown.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6118643,"Commission approves three land-use changes including equestrian event venue with conditions",0,333000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2723040-3110cba401b9662c07e624262dff8b3e&start=333&end=333","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2723040-3110cba401b9662c07e624262dff8b3e/thumbnail_333000.jpg","/articles/6118643/Pickens-County/Georgia/Commission-approves-three-land-use-changes-including-equestrian-event-venue-with-conditions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6118643-6edb7f80824e24f613ef17f0dc149ba1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770986242&Signature=kZ-Twc94sViCdSlMA8wlOok879bMWmYj~ODCA2Mh~xevNKSO62bxMt8l2t1~nIF-gVyAeFJ1hYmKl1pfaV2Uz1v6wsGtvJU~fh4etb69iD2GXCkUgUwKF4dTEbokjDL0vdyrZ8tO9eVIYggWsG2xTsU1Pqbwq399UpZR3Q7iMlEcni7mzzg4Oqu5krnbRgCDedwKU8k2MaV6QDVkuFl-xqCLQ4lPqKk-BG5coktUDVES5pjnff94EmMGyfKDKDzTQH-wP~AiWtbHqc4L4PFN2Oho9JOShmr5klDaWf4kqpcHJw1pkffSnJFpMJNdKw1OGC9bjom1g~ts85lIqsNH-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pickens County Board of Commissioners approved three land-use actions March 17, 2025: a downzone for a 7.86-acre parcel on Coke Road, a conditional-use approval to expand an equestrian operation into an events venue, and a 1.5-acre rezone at 345 Davis Road.

At the start of the meeting planning staff presented RZ190902, a request by Sherry Copeland on behalf of Gary Copeland to change Parcel 045074 on Coke Road from rural residential to agriculture for approximately 7.86 acres. Staff recommended approval based on compatibility with surrounding properties, alignment with agricultural land-use objectives and minimal infrastructure impact. No members of the public spoke for or against during the public hearing. The board approved the downzone by voice vote.

The board also approved a conditional-use modification (application 190879) for a 14.3-acre parcel at 131 Road (Parcel 067D090002) to expand an existing equestrian facility into an event venue for activities such as 4-H events, partnership rodeos with Pickens High School, family reunions and similar gatherings. The planning commission had recommended approval with conditions. The commissioners approved the conditional use with the following conditions read into the record: compliance with zoning and building permits; coordination with the fire marshal to confirm access and safety requirements; working with planning staff to ensure parking will not exceed the property’s capacity threshold; amplified sound must end by 8 p.m.; and weddings are explicitly excluded from permitted events.

Another rezone (RZ190890) at 345 Davis Road — a 1.5-acre portion of a 13.47-acre tract (parcel 036047) — was approved to move that portion from agricultural to rural residential to allow sale of an existing home and construction of a new home.

These items came to the board following planning commission hearings. For the matters that required public hearing notice, the record shows staff presentations, the public hearing opening and no speakers opposing the requests. The board voted to approve each item; voice votes were recorded as “Aye” with no oppositions noted.

Permits and inspections required by county building and fire codes remain conditions of ongoing compliance.","The board approved a downzone, two rezones and a conditional-use modification, including limits on amplified sound and an explicit exclusion of weddings for a new equestrian event venue.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":102,"_43":113,"_45":113,"_47":114,"_49":115,"_51":116,"_53":117,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":118,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":119,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6118645,"Pickens County commissioners approve series of agreements, contracts and appointments",127000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2723040-3110cba401b9662c07e624262dff8b3e&start=127&end=127","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2723040-3110cba401b9662c07e624262dff8b3e/thumbnail_127000.jpg","/articles/6118645/Pickens-County/Georgia/Pickens-County-commissioners-approve-series-of-agreements-contracts-and-appointments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6118645-45686f51544f3f2a0304b4d9b932c5f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770986242&Signature=B6mCG48mz9qWpRAMG5RCgDqjiXyZ1yg~vabvlGUxKiS2zG5N0Y1tWchi2tIckLVdvSEcSEQ91QoGzFLJiV6lG4jF2LUElzoSquOIWfyeY~0D1Z4lS5lTvdnGpxqxOyo1kHrt-5LMs7IwBrHNOjafhTib-URJUJPkB1JqIsSvorSayAYXGlktP7AREasFFf6xxPfMTrS3vZ7v67y9eKSXKnW67KZCKJA-ngC4x5zYa3AQva0wVQDL4rRNTiWVEGY~yNK41Z8dLAS6JvRDd-U2gpWsmkel899sWXUUn4dfOfALq8x-LlErPnAvYIy5BEt2N8U0OdX4rOLC-3c463kRvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pickens County Board of Commissioners approved a series of contracts, rezones, surplus declarations and appointments during its March 17 meeting in Jasper.

The board voted to: approve an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Jasper governing regulation of county- and city-owned properties inside each other’s limits; adopt an updated Emergency Operations Plan and a statewide mutual aid and assistance agreement; authorize a GDOT bridge replacement agreement on State Route 136 at Tuckenridge Creek; accept paving contracts for county parking and road projects; approve 2024 budget amendments; authorize multiple surplus equipment sales; and confirm several appointments and reappointments to county boards and commissions.

Several items were routine and carried by voice vote with no recorded roll-call. For multiple motions the board responded “Aye” with no oppositions recorded on the public record. Where detailed cost figures were provided in packet materials, the board acted to authorize the chairman to sign the related contracts and agreements.

Key outcomes recorded in the meeting packet and by motion on the floor include:
- Intergovernmental agreement (City of Jasper): approved; chairman authorized to sign.
- Emergency operations plan: approved; chairman authorized to sign.
- Statewide mutual aid and assistance agreement: approved; chairman authorized to sign.
- GDOT agreement for bridge replacement on State Route 136 at Tuckenridge Creek: approved; chairman authorized to sign (see separate article for details).
- Parking lot paving contract (county administrative building and library): awarded to Johnson Paving LLC, Blue Ridge; low bid $419,827.56; motion authorized chairman to sign construction documents.
- Road paving contract (multiple county roads): awarded to Colton's Trucking; low bid $2,001,060.13; authorization included contingent removal of Henderson Mountain Road segment if EPD approvals are not received in time.
- Tourism development agreement with the Pickens County Chamber of Commerce (hotel/motel tax use): approved; chairman authorized to sign.
- Budget amendments for 2024 presented by finance staff: approved. The packet reported an increase in billing revenue of $1,235,079 to date for 2024; the amendments were described as reconciling about a 5% revenue increase and a 3% increase in expenditures.
- Multiple surplus equipment items across departments were authorized for disposal and sale via GovDeals, including vehicles and miscellaneous equipment from water, recreation and fire departments.
- Reappointments and appointments: Board of Health reappointments, planning commission appointments and reappointments, beer and wine board appointment and EMS advisory council reappointment were all approved; terms and expirations were read into the record.
- Minutes (February regular meeting and March work session): approved.
- Several rezones and a conditional-use modification were approved (see separate article on rezones for details).

The board also authorized staff to initiate a public hearing process to consider abandonment of a portion of Pettit Road and approved a resolution and required legal notice to begin that process.

Several items were presented as packet items with details available to commissioners in the meeting packet; where the public record lacked itemized roll-call votes the minutes record voice approval with “Aye” and no recorded opposition.

The meeting recessed into an executive session to discuss lease or disposal of property before returning to adjournment.","The Pickens County Board of Commissioners approved multiple contracts, rezones and appointments on March 17, 2025, including intergovernmental and GDOT agreements, two paving contracts, the 2024 budget amendments and several board appointments.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Finance presents 2024 budget amendments reflecting higher billing revenue; commissioners approve

County awards Johnson Paving and Colton's Trucking contracts for parking and road work

County approves participation in GDOT bridge replacement on State Route 136

Commission approves three land-use changes including equestrian event venue with conditions

Pickens County commissioners approve series of agreements, contracts and appointments