Paulding County commissioners approve contracts, purchase land for future fire station; deny impound-lot permit

The Paulding County Board of Commissioners met Nov. 11 and, after an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved minutes and a series of contracts and land actions that the board said were needed to support county operations.

The meeting opened with an invocation by Pastor Wayne Strickland, deputy chaplain with the county sheriff’s office, who offered a prayer honoring veterans. ‘‘On this Veterans Day, we give thanks for their commitment,’’ Strickland said. After the ceremonial items, the board moved quickly through routine business.

In votes taken during the meeting, commissioners approved the minutes from Oct. 28, 2025, and authorized the purchase of a 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe 4-wheel drive from Hardee Chevrolet for $55,437 to be paid from the jail fund. The board also approved multiple professional services agreements, including design work for utility relocations on SR-120 (contract with Atkins not to exceed $63,640) and an agreement with RK&K LLP not to exceed $54,942; those purchases were funded from the renewal and extension fund.

A major capital item approved was authorization for the chairman to enter an agreement with Albion General Contractor to remodel a county facility at a total project cost of $4,131,000, funded from the general fund. During roll call, a commissioner clarified the motion passed 3–1, with Commissioner Schneider noted as opposed.

The board approved a master engineering services agreement with Atlas Technical Consultants LLC for up to $400,000 to support capital project management, and renewed a one-year contract with Dr. Mary East to provide medical services for people incarcerated at the county detention center (contract through Dec. 31, 2026, for $160,000 from the general fund).

On real estate matters, commissioners adopted a resolution confirming an executive-session purpose related to real estate and approved a purchase contract with Chatham Development LLC to acquire about 3.2 acres on Macklin Road for $400,000 as the site for a future fire station.

Planning and zoning items were handled in sequence. The board approved a rezoning by AP Capital Partners LLC (Hiram Industrial Drive LLC) to change about 10.67 acres from R2 (suburban residential) to I1 (light industrial) for office and warehouse development; the Planning Commission recommendation had been 4–1 with one stipulation. The board also approved a rezoning by Keystone Communities LLC to change about 13.609 acres from A1 (agricultural) to R1 (rural residential) for nine single-family homes, following a Planning Commission recommendation that included one stipulation.

Separately, the board denied an application by Jean (Joe) Gutierrez and Francis Dupree for rezoning 1.61 acres from R2 to B2 and a special-use permit to operate an impound lot and dispatch hub for towing operations. The Planning Commission had recommended denial, and the applicants were not present at the meeting. A motion to deny was made, seconded and adopted by voice vote.

Commissioners closed regular business with brief remarks, including one commissioner’s public appreciation for staff at the animal shelter and comments about trying to reduce costs on that project. The board adjourned after a final motion to adjourn.

Votes at a glance (actions approved or denied at the meeting): - Adopt minutes (10/28/2025): approved. - Purchase: 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe, Hardee Chevrolet, $55,437 (jail fund): approved. - Albion General Contractor remodeling project: $4,131,000 (general fund): approved (vote noted 3–1). - Renew contract with Dr. Mary East (detention medical services): one-year renewal through 12/31/2026, $160,000 (general fund): approved. - Atkins contract for SR-120 water/sewer relocations: not to exceed $63,640 (renewal and extension fund): approved. - RK&K LLP contract: not to exceed $54,942 (renewal and extension fund): approved. - Atlas Technical Consultants master agreement: not to exceed $400,000 (renewal and extension fund): approved. - Resolution 2025-43 (confirm executive session purpose: real estate): adopted. - Chatham Development LLC real estate contract (approx. 3.2 acres on Macklin Road) $400,000: approved. - AP Capital Partners LLC (Hiram Industrial Drive) rezoning (R2 → I1, ~10.67 acres): approved (Planning Commission rec. 4–1, 1 stipulation). - Keystone Communities LLC rezoning (A1 → R1, ~13.609 acres): approved (Planning Commission rec. 3–0–1, 1 stipulation). - Jean/Joe Gutierrez & Francis Dupree rezoning and special-use permit (impound lot): denied (Planning Commission rec. denial).

The meeting record shows no extended public testimony on agenda items and no executive session was held after the votes. The board adjourned and recessed its business for the afternoon.