County approves time extension and loan amendments for water projects; manager reports $5 million grant for next trail phase

Harris County commissioners on Tuesday approved several infrastructure-related items including a time extension for a Highway 27 waterline replacement project, amendments to GEFA loan documents for lead-service-line inventory grants, and the adoption of the county’s 2025 capital improvement element annual update.

Carter and Sloop — the county’s consultant on the waterline project — requested a time extension after GDOT property issues delayed the contractor’s schedule. Commissioners approved a resolution modifying dates in the promissory note and loan agreement to allow the contractor to complete work by late summer; county staff said the extension should permit project closeout by August or September.

Separately, the county approved an amendment to a GEFA loan and note tied to a $100,000 principal-forgiveness grant for a lead service-line inventory. GEFA had issued a blanket time extension to Dec. 31, 2025, and the county’s consultant indicated the contractor would start field investigation within weeks and complete the work before year-end. The county also noted a second GEFA award consisting of $480,000 (including $120,000 in principal forgiveness and a $360,000 loan) and approved an amendment to align schedules.

Commissioners also approved a resolution adopting the 2025 capital improvement element (CIE) annual update after the Georgia Department of Community Affairs found the update adequately addressed applicable requirements; extension of the county’s qualified local government status depends on DCA acceptance.

In his report to the board, the county manager said Hudson Mill Road remained closed while crews install a gabion wall at a damaged bridge and expected the repair to be completed in a couple of weeks. He also said the county recently received a Transportation Investment Act grant award concept and related materials for the next phase of the Man of War trail in the amount of $5,000,000; concept maps and cost estimates had been submitted to the Transportation Investment Act office and the county manager planned to present details at the next regular meeting.

The county manager reported good news on the 2024 audit, saying a draft had been received and would be finalized and presented to the board at the next meeting.