Pickens County commissioners approve culvert contract, hazard mitigation plan and several routine items

The Pickens County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 1 approved a package of projects and routine county business, including awarding a $438,962.86 contract to replace the Hobson Drive culvert, adopting the county portion of the hazard mitigation plan, accepting a single-bid award for two generators funded in part by a state grant and approving multiple reappointments and rezones.

The board voted to accept the recommendation from the county’s engineers and award the Hobson Drive culvert contract to Nolan Contracting for $438,962.86. County staff told commissioners the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has committed to fund up to 70% of the project cost or up to $500,000; the low bid fell within that limit. Commissioners said engineers reviewed the three bids and found them “apples to apples” before recommending the low bidder.

The board also approved the county’s portion of the multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan after a presentation in the work session; county staff said the cities’ portions must also be approved before the full plan is finalized. Commissioners authorized the chairman to sign any required documents.

Separately, the county moved forward on two generators under a state Emergency Management Agency grant. Power Solutions (PSU) submitted the only responsive bid; the board approved purchase and installation of a 26 kW generator for a county fire station at $15,130 and a…