Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission rescinds Roots of Life contract; county confirms USDA-funded garden project will proceed
Summary
The board rescinded a December 2024 contract with Roots of Life LLC, moved $40,000 from extension services to general-fund contingency, and staff confirmed a USDA grant and UGA partnership will continue the community garden project.
Rockdale County commissioners voted Feb. 25 to rescind contract 2024-214 with Roots of Life LLC (Item 2025-36) and approved a companion budget amendment moving $40,000 from Extension to the county's general-fund contingency. County staff told the board the decision will not halt a USDA-funded community garden project and that county and University of Georgia Cooperative Extension partners will proceed with design and construction work required by the grant.
The contract rescission was presented as a formal action to reverse a prior extension. The accompanying staff briefing said the county received a USDA grant of $145,000 for the garden: about $56,000 would fund plants and educational materials, and approximately $85,000 is budgeted for contractors to install beds, trails and wellness areas. Staff said planners and a draft master plan already exist and that UGA Cooperative Extension representatives, including Dr. Bledsoe and Julie Lynn Macy (program development coordinator), have reviewed the draft and expect to meet a grant-spending deadline next year.
County general services will manage the build-out; UGA and master gardeners will lead programming and operations once construction is complete. Staff said UGA requested the county hold posting for one staff position until UGA could assist with hiring. A county representative said the final master plan will be reviewed with UGA and then publicly bid for construction.
Separately, the board approved Item 48, a budget amendment transferring $40,000 to general-fund contingency, and Item 48 passed by voice vote.
Commissioners asked about timelines. Staff said the grant must be spent by May of next year and that staff will meet with UGA to finalize the concept plan immediately. The board called and passed the rescission motion and the budget amendment by voice vote.
The actions ensure federal grant funding remains in place and that county staff and UGA will move forward with design, bidding and hiring steps for the community garden project.
