Whitfield County board approves SPLOST park projects, budget amendments and several contracts; three liquor applications tabled

The Whitfield County Board of Commissioners on June 14 approved multiple contracts and budget amendments tied to the county's SPLOST program and other capital needs, and tabled three alcohol-license applications while awaiting background checks.

Chairman Jevin Jensen opened the meeting at the Wink Theatre and said local COVID-19 hospitalizations and new cases had decreased while vaccinations had increased; he invited public input on American Rescue Plan Recovery Fund ideas including sewer expansion, HVAC upgrades, mobile vaccinations and broadband expansion.

On motions from the board, commissioners approved a 2020 budget amendment of $301,393.50 to provide COVID hazard pay to the Fire Department, and a 2021 amendment transferring $30,791 into capital projects to buy a Public Works vehicle. The board also approved a $200,000 payment to the City of Dalton under the 2020 service delivery agreement for road paving.

Several SPLOST-funded parks and capital projects moved forward. The board accepted a $246,000 bid from Musco for field lighting at Riverbend Park and a $169,061 bid from Outdoor Aluminum for bleachers at the same park. It approved a $44,678 bid from Felker Construction for Miracle Field repairs and awarded a supplemental…