Ware County picks top roads for design, sets priorities for SPLOST/LRA paving funds
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Summary
Commissioners reviewed Hostetter & Associates estimates and directed staff to proceed with design work on prioritized roads — Folks Bennett/Indian Mound and Solomon Street (with 4th and South avenues) — removing Hayes Road from the initial list because of elevation and permitting concerns, and to use SPLOST/LRA and discretionary regional funds for construction when available.
The Ware County Board of Commissioners reviewed engineering estimates for multiple road segments and agreed to prioritize design work for a short list of roads to use 2025 SPLOST and LRA funds. Staff presented an estimated funding pool for this project line of about $658,843 and noted a larger discretionary regional SPLOST (referred to as "sploss") balance of roughly $5,000,000 available for roads and equipment.
Commissioners discussed individual routes, their design complexity and permitting needs. Staff warned that Hayes Road presents elevation issues and potential wetland/permitting complications and recommended removing it from the initial design slate. Commissioners directed staff to move forward with design fees for Folks Bennett Road (including Indian Mound) and Solomon Street (including 4th Avenue and South Avenue) as first priorities and to proceed with design on a third route as capacity allows. The board emphasized starting design work now so projects are shovel-ready when construction funds are available and to avoid losing time-sensitive LME allocations that must be spent within a statutory window.
No construction contracts were awarded at the work session; commissioners authorized staff to pay design fees where necessary and return with final cost totals and schedules for future commission action.
