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Stephens County commissioners approve routine business, transfer remaining ARPA funds and authorize animal-control IGA
Summary
At its December 2024 meeting the Stephens County Board of Commissioners approved a package of routine items including a $15,370.04 transfer of remaining unassigned ARPA funds to the capital projects fund, multiple contract renewals, appointments and an intergovernmental agreement for animal control with the City of Toccoa.
The Stephens County Board of Commissioners approved a slate of routine business at its December 2024 meeting, including the transfer of remaining unassigned American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to the county's capital projects fund and authorization of several contracts and intergovernmental agreements.
Board members voted to reallocate unassigned ARPA dollars to the capital projects fund to avoid returning the funds to the federal government after the statutory deadline. Staff recommended, and the board approved, a budget amendment transferring $15,370.04 to the capital projects fund.
The board also approved a first reading of an alcohol license application from Rainbow River Corporation and scheduled a second reading for the first meeting in January. The board renewed an annual contract for auditing business personal property accounts with Trello Business Services for the tax assessor's office and approved an intergovernmental agreement that splits Mountain Judicial Circuit expenses among neighboring counties on a population basis.
Other approvals included a second and final one-year renewal addendum with Peak Pavement Marking LLC for striping services (the county plans to bid the work next year), acceptance of a 2025 fixed-price list from C.W. Matthews Contracting Company for roadwork, and a 2025 alcohol license renewal for Lucky Food Mart.
The board adopted its 2025 meeting schedule and selected Tara Simmons as chair and Chris Rittman as vice chair for 2025. Commissioners also made multiple appointments to authorities and advisory committees, including the airport authority, E‑911 advisory committee and the Stephens County Development Authority.
The board voted to end a local state of emergency after submitting required expenses to FEMA and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and appointed Brian Bennett to the Region 2 EMS advisory council to fill an unexpired term through June 30, 2025.
Staff presented and the board approved several invoices and purchases over $10,000: turnout gear for Corns Creek Volunteer Fire Department (low quote Bennett Fire Products, $20,418), Clerk of Court server upgrades (total cost $36,020.22, funds from capital contingencies), a gasoline delivery from Acree Oil Company ($13,747.54) and the annual county employee holiday ham purchase from Honey Baked Ham Store ($23,285.72).
Finally, after adding item 15 to the agenda earlier in the meeting, the board approved an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Toccoa for animal control services and authorized the chairman to sign the agreement. The meeting concluded after routine bill approvals and adjournment.
Votes at a glance: the board recorded voice votes on each item; no formal roll-call tallies were recorded in the meeting transcript provided.
