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County manager reports progress on major projects but warns DOT utility relocations strain water budget
Summary
Walton County reported progress on three major capital projects — the Walnut Grove Park, a new public safety complex (sheriff’s office and jail), and a water treatment plant — and warned that state DOT projects requiring utility relocations are straining the county’s water department budget.
Walton County’s manager told commissioners the county’s three largest concurrent projects — Walnut Grove Park, the Walton County Public Safety Complex (including the new sheriff’s office and jail) and a new water treatment plant — are underway and, in several cases, ahead of schedule.
John, the county manager, said the water treatment plant work, funded entirely from the water enterprise fund and user fees, is already ahead of schedule. The manager said the public safety complex and the Walnut Grove Park are tax-funded projects; early change orders have been incorporated without increasing the overall approved budgets.
At the same time, the manager said the county is facing growing costs tied to Georgia Department of Transportation projects. When DOT performs work in state right-of-way that contains county utilities, the county is required to fund utilities’ relocation; the manager said local funds have been tapped out and that the county is meeting with DOT to seek additional state assistance for planned Highway 20 projects. He said DOT-related relocations have put “a good bit of stress on the water department budget.”
The county also reported other facilities updates: the livestock barn at the Agriculture Center is mostly complete; pickleball fencing at Ayers Park is about 50% complete and a partial opening of the Walnut Grove Sports Complex (softball side) is planned for fall; Station 13 fire department remodeling is complete; and reroofing at multiple fire stations has been finished under existing authorizations. The county said roofing warranty work is being done at the historic courthouse.
The manager outlined several public-facing items and dates: public tours of the new sheriff’s office and jail will be held June 28 at 350 Georgia Avenue; the county clarified that the millage rate has not yet been set and reminded the public that legally required notices and hearings are pending. He also said the county received $59,668.21 in wellness reimbursements from the insurance carrier tied to employee wellness programming, and that additional security cameras were installed at the animal control facility because of ongoing security issues.
Commissioners asked staff questions about project timing and expressed interest in the planned partial opening of the sports complex to relieve local demand for sports fields.
The board received the report; no formal action was required on the update.
