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Whitfield County commissioners authorize contracts, security upgrades and major equipment purchases
Summary
The Board approved multiple contracts and change orders Sept. 13, including courthouse access-control work, HEPA/ionization HVAC upgrades, digitization funding up to $500,000, and purchase of two excavators totaling roughly $1.2 million in approved obligations.
Whitfield County commissioners on Sept. 13 ratified several contracts and purchase orders, approving courthouse security hardware and air‑quality upgrades, a large records‑digitization appropriation and heavy equipment purchases.
The board approved a change order with Odin Integrated Technologies to purchase and install access control hardware for the courthouse at a total cost of $261,265, of which $50,000 was previously included in the renovation contract and the change order covers the remaining $211,265, County Commissioner Barry W. Robbins said. The board approved the item 4-0.
Commissioners also ratified air‑quality upgrades funded with American Rescue Plan (ARP) money: $89,936 for bipolar ionization and HEPA filtration at the courthouse and $27,670.50 for the same systems at the new Riverbend Park community center. Robbins said the courthouse project was included in the 2020 SPLOST and could be eligible for ARP funding; the board approved both change orders 4-0.
Clerk of Superior Court records digitization was authorized “up to $500,000” to implement a Deed Imaging QuickLink System; Commissioner John Thomas said the project may be eligible for ARPA funds and, if not, the board will identify another funding source. The motion carried 4-0.
The board approved the renewal of private probation contracts with Georgia Probation Services, Inc. for Probate and Superior Courts; Commissioner Greg Jones noted the monthly supervision fee paid by probationers will increase from $41 to $46. The renewal passed 4-0.
For equipment, commissioners authorized the purchase of two Gradall XL4100 V excavators from Tractor and Equipment Company for $853,612, a purchase budgeted in the 2020 SPLOST; the motion passed 4-0. Separately, the board approved a $17,600 contract with Atlas Technical Consultants LLC to survey the North Oaks–Gillum Drive basin for a drainage study.
A contract with Stephen Blevins to provide indigent defense representation in Juvenile Court also was approved; the board approved the independent contractor agreement 4-0.
The board voted unanimously on each item. No dissenting votes were recorded. The board entered an executive session later in the meeting to discuss potential and pending litigation and then reconvened and adjourned.