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County manager updates SPLOST projects; board approves $250,000 RL Cousins amendment
Summary
County manager Jeff Prine reviewed progress on SPLOST projects including senior enrichment center, Westside Youth facility, Yellow River Trail, community water park (on hold), public safety fleet and R.L. Cousins rehabilitation. Commissioners approved a $250,000 amendment to Sunbelt Builders for R.L. Cousins improvements.
Newton County’s project manager reviewed the status of SPLOST‑funded capital projects and the board approved an amendment to the R.L. Cousins Community Center contract.
County manager liaison Jeff Prine told commissioners that SPLOST 11, 17 and 23 projects are at varying stages. Projects cited as active or under construction include the Senior Services Enrichment Center (footings and slab poured; framing imminent), turf renovations at County Pine Park and Turner Lake, asphalt repairs, public safety fleet replacement (largely complete for the sheriff’s fleet), and multiple Tier 2 projects such as the R.L. Cousins rehabilitation and centralized storage building.
R.L. Cousins project: Prine said work includes rehabilitation of the historic school, new community center construction, elections office expansion and site grading for new parking. The project is "on task and also on budget," staff said, and elections offices are expected to move in mid‑March. The board authorized a $250,000 contract amendment with Sunbelt Builders to add previously unaffordable components identified during buyout (mural work, interior upgrades and other scope add‑backs). The motion was approved unanimously.
Community water park: The county manager noted the community water park at Turner Lake is on hold because available budget (approximately $5 million budgeted) is insufficient for a full buildout; staff recommended phasing the project and seeking additional funds later in the SPLOST cycle.
Fire Station 5 and other sites: Fire Station 5 is in conceptual stage on donated state forestry property; staff are exploring shared access, sewer and stormwater arrangements with nearby developers to reduce cost. The centralized storage building and administrative building renovations are under way.
Why it matters: SPLOST projects are the county’s primary capital investment program; progress and buyouts determine near‑term construction activity, operational readiness of new facilities and timing for moving county operations.
Next steps: Staff will proceed with the Sunbelt amendment for R.L. Cousins and report back on expenditures and any required additional funding; the water park remains on hold pending funding evaluation. The board was told detailed quarterly SPLOST financials are posted on the JDA/ county website.
