Walker County commissioners approve calendar, procurement update and multiple property and public-safety actions

The Walker County Board of Commissioners met Jan. 8 and approved a series of administrative and capital items, including a revised meeting calendar and an updated county procurement policy, while taking several actions related to county property and public safety.

The board set its regular monthly meeting time to 6:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month beginning in March, with the exception that July meetings will be held the second Thursday to avoid the Independence Day week. The change was approved by voice vote.

On elections, the board approved Resolution R-008-26 to set qualifying fees for the upcoming primary and general election. Chairwoman Teane said the fees were calculated under the state-regulated method based on current salaries for the offices up for election and set at 3% of those salaries.

Property dispositions: the board approved Resolution R-007-26 to convey a narrow unincorporated Rossville parcel to Justin Marsh at the tax-assessed value of $3,044 after notifying adjacent property owners. Separately, the board approved a memorandum of understanding (Resolution R-009-26) to place a county-owned three-acre Rossville parcel in the development authority’s name for sale. Teane said the assessed tax value for the three-acre parcel is $148,111 and that the development authority’s role is to develop and market such properties; the MOU will be forwarded to the development authority for signature.

Procurement and contracting: the board adopted revisions to the Walker County procurement standards policy to align with recent state language, add procurement-method language for road and public-works contracts and clarify parts of the policy. Teane credited county staff and outside counsel for the work.

The board considered a proposed annual landscaping contract with Yellowstone Landscaping for $774,750 (Resolution R-011-26). After discussion focused on keeping mowing work in-house and contracting only for herbicide spraying, Commissioner Blakemore moved to deny the contract and direct staff to issue a new RFP limited to spraying; the motion passed and the proposed contract was not approved.

Public-safety purchases and construction: the board awarded an interior-work contract for the Hinkle Fire Station to Victory Construction for $447,434. It approved purchase orders for a natural-gas generator ($42,060 to Standby Service Solutions), a fire-sprinkler system ($44,760.38 to Summit Fire and Security Company), and self-contained breathing apparatus and related equipment ($65,664.76 to Municipal Emergency Services) for Walker County Fire Rescue. Commissioners explained the generator purchase is supported by previously allotted grant funds and a new gas-line installation that allows selection of a natural-gas unit.

Votes at a glance

- Approve amended agenda (included reappointment of Planning and Zoning chair): approved by voice vote. - Approve Dec. 4 minutes: approved by voice vote. - Approve consent agenda (four items): approved by voice vote (discussion noted that an ambulance contract is in its final extension year and that an RFP will be issued). - Elect Mark Askew as vice chair: approved by voice vote. - Set regular meeting calendar and time: approved by voice vote. - Resolution R-007-26 (Rossville parcel conveyance to Justin Marsh at assessed value $3,044): approved. - Resolution R-008-26 (set qualifying fees for state-regulated calculation): approved. - Resolution R-009-26 (MOU to place 3-acre Rossville parcel into development authority): approved. Assessed value stated at $148,111. - Resolution R-010-26 (adopt DCA Hotel/Motel Tax review recommendations): approved. - Resolution R-011-26 (proposed Yellowstone Landscaping $774,750 contract): motion to deny prevailed; board directed staff to prepare an RFP for herbicide spraying only. - Resolution R-012-26 (award interior-work contract for Hinkle Fire Station to Victory Construction, $447,434): approved. - Purchase orders for Hinkle Fire Station generator ($42,060), sprinkler installation ($44,760.38) and SCBA equipment ($65,664.76): all approved.

What’s next

Officials said the county will post a revised RFP for roadside spraying and issue an RFP for ambulance services later this year as current contract extensions expire. The MOU for the 3-acre Rossville parcel will be delivered to the development authority for its signature. Board members also noted follow-up audit and finance reporting to come.

(Reporting note: quotes and specific dollar amounts come from commission proceedings and staff presentations at the Jan. 8 meeting.)