Gordon County commissioners approve slate of appointments, paving grant, construction agreement and equipment purchases

The Gordon County Board of Commissioners approved a package of appointments, grants, contracts and equipment purchases at its meeting. Actions taken include the appointment of Joshua McCandless to fill an unexpired term on the county Board of Assessors, approval of the fiscal year 2025 Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) paving list totaling $1,221,292.16, a construction agreement for Ranger Community Center renovations using 2024 SPLOST funds, and several routine purchases and contract renewals.

The board appointed Joshua McCandless to the Board of Assessors to fill the unexpired term ending June 10, 2025. Mr. Ledbetter summarized McCandless’s background to the board, noting his completion of a chamber leadership program, service on a United Way funding committee and experience as an administrator; McCandless had requested to serve to ensure fair and accurate property assessments.

Commissioners approved the fiscal year 2025 LMIG paving list with Georgia DOT for $1,221,292.16. The listed projects and lengths presented in the packet were: 1.55 miles of Oakman Road; 6.23 miles of Nathaniel Station Road; 3.00 miles of Artesian Well Road; 0.28 miles of East Belmont Road; and 1.20 miles of Johnson Lake Road. The county noted that LMIG requires a 30% local match for Gordon County and that the list supplements other paving funds such as SPLOST.

The board approved a construction agreement with Moline Construction for $391,594.40 to proceed with planned renovations at the Ranger Community Center, funded through 2024 SPLOST. Mr. Ledbetter said the county completed a qualifications process; Moline submitted the lowest and best-scoring proposal and a construction walkthrough identified minor scope changes. The county also noted it will commission a survey to clarify property-line questions and consult an arborist about a tree potentially needing removal.

Emergency Management received approval to apply for the 2024 Emergency Management Performance Grant. Commissioner discussion noted the county has budgeted the required local match, and Emergency Management staff said the grant would help outfit vehicles with radios and equipment.

The board approved a renewal option with Cirrus Environmental to remain on the debris-removal roster for disaster response, with the county noting contractors are on call and services are typically eligible for reimbursement through FEMA when deployed. The board also approved surplus of playground and audio equipment from the Ranger Community Center for disposal or sale.

Public Works obtained authorization to buy a new CW16 paving compaction roller from Yancey Brothers for $113,941 under a mandatory statewide contract through the Georgia Department of Administrative Services; the purchase is budgeted in FY25 from 2024 SPLOST funds. Mr. Ledbetter and Rusty discussed the age of the county’s existing compactor; the transcript records an exchange noting the old unit is approximately 25 years old.

Commissioners also re-elected their leadership by voice vote, nominating Owens as chair and Cutting as vice chair for the next two-year term. All motions in the available transcript carried by voice vote; the meeting record included several procedural approvals (agenda amendment, approval of minutes from Dec. 16–17, 2024) and a motion to adjourn.

Votes at a glance: - Election of Chair and Vice Chair: Motion to nominate Owens (chair) and Cutting (vice chair) — approved by voice vote. - Approve amended agenda — approved by voice vote. - Approve minutes (Dec. 16–17, 2024) — approved by voice vote. - Appointment: Joshua McCandless to Board of Assessors (term ends June 10, 2025) — approved by voice vote. - LMIG paving list: $1,221,292.16 (30% local match required) — approved by voice vote. - Renewal option with Cirrus Environmental for debris removal services — approved by voice vote. - Surplus Ranger Community Center playground and audio equipment — approved by voice vote. - Construction agreement with Moline Construction: $391,594.40 (2024 SPLOST) — approved by voice vote. - EMPG application (2024 Emergency Management Performance Grant): $22,124 (grant amount stated; county budgeted match) — approved by voice vote. - Purchase of CW16 compaction roller from Yancey Brothers: $113,941 (state contract; 2024 SPLOST) — approved by voice vote.

The board did not provide roll-call vote totals in the transcript excerpts; motions were recorded as carried by voice vote. Several items noted follow-up tasks: surveying at the Ranger Community Center, consulting an arborist on a hazardous tree, and finalizing contract scopes for construction work.