Whitfield County commissioners ratify grants, contracts and routine motions; approve liquor-license transfer

The Whitfield County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 9 ratified a series of routine motions, accepted multiple grants and approved contracts and license transfers during a meeting in Dalton.

In a sequence of unanimous votes the board approved the agenda and minutes, ratified a memorandum of understanding related to a VOCA grant with the district attorney's office, ratified an innovation grant for the senior center to address hunger (no local match required), and authorized staff to apply for a federal transit grant that would carry a 10% local match if awarded. The board also approved a juvenile diversion continuation grant application for $40,000 and authorized a $43,006.80 contract to write an emergency management (EMA) grant that the county expects will be about 80% reimbursable and will include $14,000 of in-kind labor.

The board approved two SPLOST fence projects for a new indoor recreation center and for Riverbend Park, awarding work to Dalton Fence as the low bidder, and approved renovation-related contracts for architectural work on the courthouse front. A change order on the Prater’s Mill construction project — switching bathroom construction from prefab to on-site and stabilizing parking-lot soils — produced a stated credit of $40,009.27 toward the grant and was approved.

On procurement, the board approved parcel-mapping work to improve assessor boundary accuracy (one-year cost stated at $61,006.64) and approved purchase of True Roll software to automate deed processing. The board approved the purchase of two K-9 vehicles for the sheriff’s department (low bidder: Hardy Chevrolet) and authorized the purchase of a replacement truck for the animal shelter; the transcript lists the vendor as Ford of Dalton and a price noted in the packet, but the spoken amount’s formatting in the record is unclear.

The board also approved annual public-works material contracts (stone, concrete and accessories) in a single vote and approved change orders and contracts associated with SPLOST 2020 and SPLOST 2024 projects.

In a separate action, following an earlier public hearing the board voted to approve the transfer of the alcohol beverage license for the Antioch convenience store to new ownership. That motion was moved and seconded and carried unanimously.

Votes at a glance - Agenda approval: Motion by Commissioner Robbins, second Commissioner Staton; outcome: approved, 4-0. - Minutes approval: Motion by Commissioner Staton, second Commissioner Robbins; outcome: approved, 4-0. - Finances (as presented): Motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved, 4-0. - Antioch convenience alcohol license transfer: Motion by Commissioner Staten, second Commissioner Jones; outcome: approved, 4-0. - Ratify VOCA MOU (DA’s office): Motion by Commissioner Thomas, second Commissioner Jones; outcome: approved, 4-0. - Senior-center innovation grant (hunger): Motion and ratification; outcome: approved, 4-0. - Parcel-mapping expansion ($61,006.64) and True Roll software: Motions approved, 4-0. - Animal shelter truck procurement (vendor: Ford of Dalton): Motion approved, 4-0 (price formatting unclear in transcript). - K-9 vehicles (Hardy Chevrolet): Motion approved, 4-0. - EMA grant-writing contract ($43,006.80): Motion approved, 4-0. - Transit grant application (10% local match if awarded): Motion approved, 4-0. - Juvenile diversion continuation grant application ($40,000): Motion approved, 4-0. - SPLOST fence projects (Dalton Fence): Motion approved, 4-0. - Prater’s Mill change order (credit $40,009.27): Motion approved, 4-0. - Courthouse architectural contract (work complete; sign and pay): Motion approved, 4-0.

The board adjourned after a general public-comment period.

Sources: Meeting transcript of the Whitfield County Board of Commissioners, Feb. 9, 2026 (motions and votes as recorded by the chair).