County approves $190,000 agreement to create Black Heritage Trail

Dougherty County commissioners on Feb. 17 approved a resolution to accept an agreement with Augustine Monica Phillips to create a Black Heritage Trail for $190,000, with funds to come from the general‑fund contingency.

The county attorney highlighted edits requested at a prior work session: 10% of compensation will be deferred until after a one‑year warranty period confirming the digital trail is fully operational; that remaining 10% would be paid only upon confirmation. Several commissioners praised the project as a foundation for a broader effort to digitize local Black history and proposed forming an advisory committee with community leaders, schools and city representatives.

One commissioner moved to table the item for additional public discussion because the contract had been changed since the work session; that motion failed. The board instead returned to the original motion and approved the agreement by majority vote. Commissioners said the project can expand and will include community participation beyond the initial agreement.

The contract terms as discussed will be reflected in the final executed agreement; staff will follow up on implementation and advisory‑committee formation.