Spalding County commissioners approve grants, procurement policy, park fees, contracts and sewer support in 4-0 votes

The Spalding County Board of Commissioners approved a slate of grants, policy updates, contracts and budget directives by unanimous votes at its March 3 regular meeting.

Major board actions included accepting audit reports, approving a revised procurement policy, approving multiple grant awards, approving contracts for facility and airport work, updating park fees and directing consideration of a sewer commitment for the AKB employment corridor.

In finance, auditors Moulton Jenkins presented the fiscal year 2024 comprehensive annual financial report and issued an "unmodified opinion" — a clean audit — with no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in internal control. The auditors reported general fund revenues of about $69,000,000 and expenditures near $64,000,000; property taxes were roughly $36,000,000 (about 52% of general fund revenues). The county’s general fund balance increased by roughly $5.5 million in 2024 to a year-end balance of about $25 million. The board voted to accept the audit report, 4-0.

The board adopted a comprehensive update to the county procurement policy, intended to align county purchasing with federal and state regulations and modernize internal controls; the policy was finalized Jan. 27 and approved on a 4-0 vote.

The board accepted an $80,115 Solid Waste Trust Fund Tire-Derived Product Grant from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division to resurface Sunnyside Park walking trail with a recycled tire product, improve drainage and accessibility. The motion to accept the grant passed 4-0.

A $36,690 Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) award to the Spalding County Corrections Institute was accepted 4-0. County staff said the funds will buy handheld detection wands and advanced drug-testing supplies for fentanyl and methamphetamine detection; no local match was required.

The board accepted a $10,000 apprenticeship grant from the Technical College System of Georgia to enroll two county firefighters in a registered apprenticeship program with Southern Crescent Technical College; the motion passed 4-0.

Parks staff presented a revised FY26 fee schedule recommended by the Parks and Leisure Advisory Commission. The board approved the schedule, including a 25% higher reserved-use rate for out-of-county users and a commission-recommended exemption allowing homeschool groups free access to tennis courts (in parity with school system fees). The change passed 4-0.

The board approved an out-of-state motor coach request from the Macon Tracks Bridal Club to use a county vehicle for an April 10 day trip to Wetumpka, Ala.; staff said participant fees will cover operating costs. Motion passed 4-0.

On capital projects and contracts: the board approved a design and construction-document contract for demolition and reconstruction of the Heritage Park gym in the amount of $285,005.96 (part of an overall $4,000,000 project) and approved agreement language for airport engineering and planning assistance tied to a GDOT project (~$444,637) with a county maximum obligation of about $55,580 under an existing intergovernmental agreement; both motions passed 4-0.

The board also approved a letter of support to the Georgia Department of Transportation for construction of a single-lane roundabout at the Jackson Road/State Route 155 and North McDonough Road intersection, part of a larger roadway redesignation and commercial-traffic planning process; motion passed 4-0.

In old business, the Spalding County Water and Sewerage Facilities Authority requested the board consider a $500,000 FY26 contribution in support of a sewer project for the AKB employment corridor, with the Authority asking that similar support be considered for three years as construction begins. The board voted 4-0 to provide the requested $500,000 commitment for the current fiscal year and to consider future years in subsequent budget cycles.

During citizen comment the board heard two speakers. A resident from Hereford Farm Road asked for code enforcement help with beavers flooding a private driveway; staff said code enforcement would contact her. A second resident reported repeated loud music and late-night events at an event center across from Mystic Acres and said the center had not pulled required permits; staff acknowledged the complaint and said code enforcement had provided guidance on permits and time/volume limits.

The meeting concluded after an executive session; following that session the board directed the county attorney to notify Building 4 Fabricators that the county considers the company in breach of contract and to terminate the county’s relationship with the firm. That motion carried 4-0.

Votes at a glance (selected items): - Accept FY24 comprehensive annual financial report (auditor Moulton Jenkins): approved 4-0. - Adopt county procurement policy (finalized Jan. 27): approved 4-0. - Accept Georgia DNR tire-derived product grant ($80,115) for Sunnyside Park trail: approved 4-0. - Accept BJA JAG award ($36,690) for corrections detection project: approved 4-0. - Accept Technical College System of Georgia apprenticeship grant ($10,000) for two firefighter apprenticeships: approved 4-0. - Approve Heritage Park Gym demolition/construction documents contract ($285,005.96): approved 4-0. - Approve GDOT airport engineering agreement; county max obligation ~$55,580: approved 4-0. - Approve letter of support for single-lane roundabout at SR-155/N. McDonough: approved 4-0. - Approve $500,000 FY26 contribution request for AKB employment corridor sewer project: approved 4-0. - Direct county attorney to notify Building 4 Fabricators of breach and terminate contract: approved 4-0.

Why it matters: The package of approvals moves capital projects, parks improvements and seizure-detection and training programs forward and sets budget priorities (including a potential $500,000 contribution to sewer infrastructure) to support economic development in the AKB corridor. Several approvals also carry grant funds that reduce local match burdens.

What’s next: Staff will incorporate the judge-startup estimate and the sewer request into FY26 budget planning, move forward with design contracts and submit the rounds of grant-acceptance paperwork required by state and federal grantors.