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Franklin County Commission approves architecture contract for new gun range and several county agreements
Summary
The Franklin County Commission approved a package of commission orders including a contract with Cochran for architecture and engineering on a new sheriff’s gun range, a counseling contract renewal for first responders, a mass-notification subscription, and several other routine amendments and easements.
The Franklin County Commission on an administrative agenda vote approved multiple contracts and orders, including a proposal from Cochran for architecture and engineering services on a new Franklin County Sheriff’s Office gun range and training facility.
Why it matters: The approvals move forward design and recurring services for county facilities and operations — from a new sheriff’s training center to counseling services for first responders and a countywide emergency mass-notification subscription — and establish a committee to review building security for county facilities.
The commission opened its session with approval of minutes from April meetings before taking up a series of commission orders. The board approved a proposal from Cochran for architecture and engineering services to support design and grading for a new gun range and training facility for the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. Commissioners discussed adding an interior cross-access door from the storage area to the shoot house so staff would not need to go outside for security or in bad weather; commissioners described the storage as holding targets and training gear used for drills and vehicle training.
The commission also approved a contract renewal with Vista Counseling LLC to provide mental-health services for first responders and authorized a subscription with OnSolve for a shared county emergency mass-notification system. A continuing professional-services agreement with Friend and Business LLC for title-search services used in tax-sale proceedings was renewed under terms described in the contract (the agreement includes a stated per-search cap of $40). The board approved an amendment with Southern Bus and Mobility to switch certain vehicle seating from metal to fiberglass at no additional cost.
Separately, the commission granted an easement deed to Public Water Supply District No. 3 of Franklin County for a pipeline/right-of-way across county property to support an upgraded water treatment facility; the county highway representative (Jim) told the commission the highway department had no operational concerns with the proposed easement alignment. Commissioners also voted to establish a committee to develop specific recommendations on building security for county facilities.
Votes at a glance: Commission orders approved on the consent or regular agenda included:
- Commission Order 2025-108 — Approve and authorize execution of a proposal from Cochran for architecture and engineering services for the new gun range for the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. Motion: "I propose a motion that we approve commission order 2020Five-one8." Mover: Commissioner 3; Second: Commissioner 2; Vote: unanimous (3–0). Outcome: approved. Note: commissioners discussed cross-access between the shoot house and storage area for security and weather protection.
- Commission Order 2025-109 — Contract renewal with Vista Counseling LLC for mental-health services for first responders. Motion: "I make a motion we approve commission order 2020Five-one9." Mover: Commissioner 3; Second: Commissioner 2; Vote: unanimous (3–0). Outcome: approved.
- Commission Order 2025-110 — Authorize execution of a quote from OnSolve for a shared emergency mass-notification system. Motion: "I make a motion to approve." Mover: Commissioner 2; Second: Commissioner 3; Vote: unanimous (3–0). Outcome: approved.
- Commission Order 2025-111 — Approve and authorize execution of professional services agreement with Friend and Business LLC (title search services for tax-sale proceedings). Motion: approved; Mover: Commissioner 2; Second: Commissioner 3; Vote: unanimous (3–0). Outcome: approved. Note: agreement includes a stated per-search cap of $40 and was described as a continuation of an ongoing contract rather than a new line-item addition.
- Commission Order 2025-112 — Approve amendment with Southern Bus and Mobility (change from metal/aluminum seats to fiberglass seats). Motion: approved; Mover: Commissioner 2; Second: Commissioner 3; Vote: unanimous (3–0). Outcome: approved. Note: commission stated no additional cost.
- Commission Order 2025-113 — Approve and authorize execution of an easement deed to Public Water Supply District No. 3 of Franklin County for pipeline/right-of-way related to upgrades at a treatment facility. Motion: approved; Mover: Commissioner 3; Second: Commissioner 2; Vote: unanimous (3–0). Outcome: approved. Note: Highway Department representative said the temporary construction easement would not affect highway operations.
- Commission Order 2025-114 — Establish a committee to develop specific recommendations for county building security. Motion: approved; Mover: Commissioner 2; Second: Commissioner 3; Vote: unanimous (3–0). Outcome: approved.
- Commission Order 2025-115 — Approve the consent agenda (abstract fees and listed consent items). Motion: approved; Mover: Commissioner 3; Second: Commissioner 2; Vote: unanimous (3–0). Outcome: approved.
The meeting included no registered public comments and concluded after routine departmental reports were deferred. Commissioners adjourned following the approvals.
