Board awards contract for Locust Grove tag office; budget amendment approved

The Henry County Board of Commissioners on July 15 approved a budget amendment and awarded RFP 25-72 for construction of a Locust Grove satellite tag office to the proposer identified in the meeting record, with a contract amount presented as $5,498,675 and a best-and-final offer noted from the highest-ranked proposer.

Officials said purchasing solicited seven proposals, ranked them and requested a best-and-final offer from the top-rated proposer. Staff said funding for a $500,000 budget amendment is available in the SPLOST 6 project account (SP6012). Staff presented a rendering of the proposed tag office, to be located near the existing driver services office on Tanger Boulevard in Locust Grove, and said the facility will include three drive-through lanes and other customer conveniences.

The county’s tax commissioner thanked the board and noted the agency already has four kiosks countywide and expects growth in online transactions to reduce foot traffic; the new office is intended to expand the county’s physical footprint and serve the southern portion of Henry County. The proposer told the board the estimated construction time is 13 months. County staff also said they have discussed cost sharing for furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) with the city of Locust Grove; the city is reviewing SPLOST accounts for a potential contribution.

Board members praised procurement transparency; a commissioner noted staff showed the scoring matrix used to evaluate proposals. The board voted to approve the contract award and budget amendment; the public transcript records a motion, a second and “Motion carries.”