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Board approves budgeted purchases, salary parity, contracts and SPLOST change orders; several items approved unanimously
Summary
Newton County commissioners approved a package of budgeted equipment purchases, a pay adjustment for superior court law clerks, a software subscription for Resource Court and two SPLOST-funded change orders at their April 15 meeting.
Newton County Board of Commissioners voted on multiple budgeted items and contract adjustments during their April 15 regular meeting.
The board unanimously approved a request from Superior Court to increase law clerk pay to match Walton County levels. Judge Ken Winn said the county pays three superior court law clerks and that the goal was “to bring about parity or equality or equity, in the pay between our law clerks.” Commissioners moved and seconded the motion and the chair announced the vote was unanimous. Judge Ken Winn told the board the county can cover the cost for the remainder of FY 2025 from current personnel funds and that the FY 2026 budget will need an adjustment for the ongoing cost.
Fire Services requested approval to purchase 25 self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs) from Municipal Emergency Services as the lowest bidder. Chief Royce Turner said the purchase begins a planned replacement of older SCBAs “to start cycling those older ones out and start replacing with new ones.” Commissioners confirmed the purchase was budgeted and approved the motion.
Resource Court (mental health court) requested approval to subscribe to Reconnect, a cloud-based client-management app that sends participants reminders for treatment appointments and medication. Beth Smith said the app costs $6,000 annually ($500 per month) and will be paid from the special-revenue “2-12” drug treatment fund; the board approved the contract.
Public Works presented two separate change orders to increase professional-services maximums for NOVA Engineering & Environmental LLC to cover additional on-site material testing on SPLOST-funded road projects. Interim County Manager James Brown and staff said the change orders will be funded from project contingencies or available SPLOST funds. The board approved each change order in separate motions.
Earlier in the meeting the board adopted the meeting agenda (with two consent items — Nos. 12 and 14 — removed from the consent list for separate consideration) and later approved the consent agenda itself.
Votes at a glance - Superior Court law clerk pay parity (Judge Ken Winn): Motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved unanimously; remainder of FY 2025 covered from personnel budget; FY 2026 budget adjustment required. - Purchase 25 SCBAs (Chief Royce Turner/Fire Services): Motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved; item budgeted. - Reconnect contract (Beth Smith/Resource Court): Motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved; funding: 2-12 special revenue fund; cost $6,000/year ($500/month). - NOVA Engineering & Environmental LLC, Change Order #2 — item 16 (Public Works): Motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved; funding: SPLOST/project contingency. - NOVA Engineering & Environmental LLC, Change Order #2 — item 17 (Public Works): Motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved; funding: SPLOST/project contingency. - Agenda adoption (with removal of items 12 and 14 from consent): Motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved. - Consent agenda (remaining items): Motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved.
All listed board motions and outcomes above are recorded from the meeting transcript and were announced by the chair as approved at the meeting.
