Votes at a glance: Cherokee County adopts safety plan and several contracts, approves equipment purchases and a cell-tower lease

At its March 4 meeting the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners approved a package of consent and County Manager items that included adoption of a countywide Comprehensive Safety Action Plan, adoption of a Vision Zero policy, several equipment and construction contracts, and a cell-tower lease. All items on the consent agenda and the County Manager items were approved by recorded motions and voice vote as described below.

Key votes and approvals

- Adopt Comprehensive Safety Action Plan (Resolution): The board approved submission of a countywide Comprehensive Safety Action Plan — a project funded by a USDOT Safe Streets and Roads for All grant — which includes public outreach, safety analysis, project prioritization and a recommended work program. The county will submit the plan to FHWA prior to the contract deadline.

- Adopt Vision Zero policy (Resolution): The board approved a Vision Zero policy setting a goal of eliminating fatalities and reducing serious injuries on the county roadway network and authorized forming a Vision Zero task force with participating municipalities.

- IT equipment purchase: The board approved purchase of replacement servers with five years of support at a listed total of $162,816, following the county’s five-year hardware replacement policy. Funds were budgeted for the purchase.

- Aquatic Center boiler and pump replacement (construction contract): Commissioners approved a construction agreement with GAR Mechanical to replace the indoor aquatic center boiler and pump at a cost of $57,244.50; the project is SPLOST-funded and GAR Mechanical submitted the lowest of three quotes.

- Architectural services for fire station renovations: The board approved a $61,000 professional services agreement with KRH Architects for architectural and engineering services for renovations at Fire Stations 4, 12, 21 and 23. Work includes interior renovations and mechanical, electrical and fire-suppression modifications; the project is SPLOST-funded.

- Fire Department vehicle purchases: Commissioners approved purchase of eight light-duty vehicles from Alan Jay Fleet Sales for $388,745.20 as part of the department’s vehicle replacement program (three quotes obtained; lowest bid accepted).

- Electronic ticketing system for Sheriff’s Office: The board approved purchase of an electronic citation/ticketing system including interfaces, training and equipment at a total of $288,663 (budgeted in the Sheriff’s FY25 budget). The system will replace paper-based ticketing and integrate with existing systems.

- Cell tower lease: The board approved a lease agreement with CitySwitch 2A, LLC for a proposed cell tower on county property at 403 Chatton Drive. The leased area is a 70-by-70-foot site; tenant responsibilities include site clearing, permitting and construction of a 230-foot tower. Initial rent is $13.75 per month with a 1% annual increase; lease term is 10 years with options to renew for up to eight successive five-year terms. The lease is contingent on the tenant receiving applicable permits.

Consent agenda items

The consent agenda passed unanimously and included surplus items from the Marshal’s Office, Amendment 1 to the Hickory Road Sidewalk construction agreement with Seoul Construction LLC for $11,452, and authorization to schedule a public hearing April 15 on a legacy use request for a coffee house and gift shop at 4561 Union Hill Road.

Procedure and voting

Each County Manager item was moved and seconded by commissioners and approved by voice vote or roll call as recorded in the meeting minutes. No items in this group were tabled or failed.

Implications

The Comprehensive Safety Action Plan and Vision Zero resolution establish policy goals and provide a framework to pursue federal and state funding for safety projects. The equipment purchases and service agreements are routine capital and maintenance actions funded through the county operating budget and SPLOST. The cell-tower lease provides a potential new revenue stream but remains contingent on permitting.