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Commissioners approve SPLOST intergovernmental agreement, mutual aid and other county contracts
Summary
The Stephens County Board of Commissioners approved an intergovernmental SPLOST agreement with the cities of Toccoa, Martin and Avalon, a mutual aid fire agreement with Franklin County, several intergovernmental amendments and a Motorola maintenance renewal, and authorized an ambulance engine repair purchase.
The Stephens County Board of Commissioners approved several agreements, contract renewals and a vehicle repair quote during the meeting.
SPLOST intergovernmental agreement and election steps The board approved a resolution authorizing execution of an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between Stephens County and the cities of Toccoa, Martin and Avalon governing the use and distribution of proceeds from a 2025 special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) for capital outlay projects. County staff said the three cities approved the IGA at their meetings the previous week; the county will issue a resolution at its next meeting to call the SPLOST election in November.
Mutual aid and regional agreements The board approved an automatic and mutual aid agreement with Franklin County for fire protection services to allow automatic responses across the shared line; staff said the arrangement will help response coverage and may reduce insurance premiums for residents on both sides of the boundary.
Judicial circuit and hazard mitigation Commissioners approved an amended intergovernmental agreement for payment of Mountain Judicial Circuit expenses with neighboring counties to align the agreement with county fiscal years. They also approved a second amendment to the county’s hazard mitigation plan agreement with the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission to extend deadlines while FEMA completes review.
Contracts and purchases The board approved a Motorola maintenance service renewal for the county’s 9‑1‑1 system; minutes record one opposed vote on that renewal. The board also approved a vendor quote of $28,040.48 from Lake Hartwell Chevrolet for a new engine for a 2021 ambulance; EMS Director Brian Bennett was present for questions.
What the board said County staff framed the SPLOST IGA as a necessary step to finalize how proceeds will be allocated if voters approve the tax; staff said the IGA will detail allocations and that city councils had already approved the agreement. On mutual aid, staff said the automatic aid will benefit local response times and assist Franklin County residents by potentially lowering their insurance premiums.
Next steps Staff will execute the approved IGAs and renewals and, as noted, will present a resolution at the next meeting to call the SPLOST election for November.
