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Paulding County commissioners approve multiple contracts, equipment purchases and an ethics-board appointment
Summary
At a regular meeting, Pauding County commissioners approved several SPLOST- and general-fund-backed projects including a park construction contract, road right-of-way purchases, equipment purchases and the appointment of Chris Wheeler to the county Board of Ethics. Details, funding sources and vote outcomes were recorded.
Paulding County commissioners opened their meeting with an invocation and ROTC presentation before moving through a series of routine and project-related votes that resulted in approvals for multiple contracts, equipment purchases and an ethics-board appointment.
The board adopted minutes from its Dec. 9, 2025, work session and board meeting, accepted the consent agenda, and approved bid awards and purchases including a stormwater maintenance project and fleet and equipment items. Speaker 1 (meeting chair; unnamed in the transcript) described funding sources as stormwater department general funds, the FY2026 capital budget and SPLOST (special-purpose local option sales tax). "I will abstain for this," Speaker 1 said when the board took up one appointment.
Why it matters: approvals advance construction and infrastructure projects that the board said will be paid from SPLOST and general-fund capital allocations and may be eligible for federal reimbursement. The meeting approved engineering and construction steps for road and park projects that will affect Post 1, Post 2 and Post 4 service areas.
Votes at a glance — key approved items
• Stormwater maintenance project at 122 Larimore Lane: Awarded to CSTE Incorporated for $60,569.33; funding from the 2025 stormwater infrastructure replacement and repair unit price contract and stormwater general funds; approved by voice/hand vote.
• Bobcat compact excavator (E60 R2 series): Purchase from Bobcat of Atlanta for $89,299.69 under a Sourcewell contract; funded in the FY2026 capital budget for the county DOT; approved.
• 2026 Ford F-450 flatbed truck: Purchase from Hardee's Family Ford for $66,525 using state contract pricing for DOT; approved.
• Magnum Construction — Richard Creek Reservoir Park, phase one: The board authorized the chairman to enter a construction contract; the transcript lists the amount as $3,000,912.567 and 48¢ (recorded here as $3,000,912.48 due to transcript formatting irregularities); funding from SPLOST; approved.
• Development agreement with EPCON 7 Hills LLC: Approval to relocate a water main along Dallas-Acworth Highway with county-supplied materials valued at $183,408; project located in Post 1; approved.
• Right-of-way purchase options for Cedar Crest Road widening (PI 0013700): Board authorized the chairman to execute purchase options for partial parcels, with SPLOST funding and up to $5 million reimbursement from the Federal Highway Administration. The transcript lists parcel amounts of $120,000 and $160,000 but contains a correction that parcel 50 is $106,000; the board approved the authorization.
• Supplemental agreement with Kimberly Horn & Associates: Approved $62,534.72 for preliminary engineering design services for the Goldmine Road (SR 101) intersection improvement project; funded from SPLOST.
• Donation to the Sheriff's Office: Accepted a donated 2025 Ford Mustang (VIN ending in 1822); accepted by the board.
• Appointment: Chris Wheeler was appointed as a post-commissioner appointee to the Board of Ethics with a term ending Dec. 31, 2029; Speaker 1 stated they would abstain from that vote; the appointment was approved.
• Resolutions: The board adopted Resolution 2026-01 establishing qualifying fees for local officers and Resolution 2026-03 confirming an executive session for personnel and litigation; both were approved.
What board members said
William Hancock, the meeting's invited speaker identified in the transcript as the pastor at Legacy Baptist Church in New Hope, opened the meeting with prayer, asking for "heavenly wisdom for the board of commissioners" and for decisions to be made in accordance with "your will." Speaker 1 (unnamed meeting chair) led the business agenda, repeatedly noting funding sources for projects and asking members to lift hands for voice votes.
Next steps and context
Most items approved were procurement or contract authorizations that allow procurement and construction work to proceed; some projects (notably the Cedar Crest Road widening) include federal reimbursement contingencies. The board recorded no public comments at this meeting and conducted no executive session following the regular business. The meeting adjourned after the listed approvals.
