Commissioners fund courthouse accessibility work and ratify equipment purchases under SPLOST

At the July 14 meeting, Whitfield County commissioners approved several capital and equipment expenditures funded through SPLOST and other county budgets. The board approved funding from the 2020 SPLOST for a permanent ADA-compliant ramp at the courthouse; staff said the county had been using a temporary ramp while complying with federal accessibility requirements and would now install a permanent concrete and steel ramp. The transcript did not provide a clear dollar amount for the ramp in the public remarks; staff said SPLOST funds would cover the work. The board also approved payment for elevator repairs and modifications, authorizing a county payment of roughly $34,000 for the latest invoice. Commissioners recorded the vote as 3–0–1 (one abstention) on the elevator payment. Separately, commissioners ratified acquisition of replacement Motorola radios (2024 SPLOST) for the county's emergency services. Staff said buying the radios now and taking advantage of a 0 percent interest deferred-payment arrangement avoided price increases and saved approximately $3,400,000 in projected costs; the county will not have to pay until the next July under the financing arrangement. Commissioners also approved a temporary contract arrangement to continue transit reimbursement flows through Cherokee County while the state transitions to a third-party mechanism after September. Ending: The board committed SPLOST funds to permanent courthouse accessibility work, approved elevator repairs and ratified the radio purchase financing; staff will proceed with project contracts and return with schedule and budget details as required.