Chattahoochee County selects engineers for sewer and SEID grant applications and approves planning assistance contract

The Chattahoochee County Commission voted Jan. 6 to select engineering firms for two grant efforts and to approve a planning and zoning technical-assistance contract. Commissioners discussed proposal fees and firm experience before voting.

Vice Chairman Timothy Biddle moved to approve Barge Design as the engineer for the Sewer grant; the motion passed unanimously. The Commission also approved EMC as the engineer for the SCRC SEID grant, citing EMC's lower percentage engineering fee (recorded as 9%) compared with another company's 17% charge and the absence of a preliminary-engineering fee.

The Commission approved a planning and zoning technical-assistance contract with the River Valley Regional Commission (RVRC). The RVRC agreement, described in the packet, would provide consultation to local officials and planning bodies, assistance preparing or reviewing zoning and subdivision amendments, meeting attendance and maintenance of base and zoning maps. The document lists an annual fee of $6,000 and an effective term of July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026, with automatic renewal unless one party gives 30 days' written notice.

Commissioners noted Moon Meeks & Associates and Ingram & Associates among the proposals reviewed, and that some firms charge different preliminary or percentage engineering fees. The motions to select Barge and EMC were both seconded by Commissioner Jason Frost and carried unanimously. The RVRC contract motion was moved by Commissioner Biddle, seconded by Commissioner Douglas, and approved unanimously.

Staff will incorporate the engineering selections into grant applications and proceed with the vendor contract paperwork as appropriate.