Whitfield County commissioners approve grants, contracts and resurfacing project; set hearing on road abandonment

The Whitfield County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 8 approved a package of routine contracts, grant submissions and capital projects and set a Dec. 14 public hearing on a petition to close Tiarco Drive.

Chairman Jevin Jensen opened the meeting at The Wink Theatre and the board, on several unanimous 4-0 votes, approved items that included a $450,000 micro-resurfacing contract, grant administration and architect contracts tied to a CDBG-CV application, a $13,500 GEMA C.E.R.T. grant, and an extension of the District Attorney SPCR contract for $497,252.60.

Why it matters: The micro-resurfacing contract, funded by 2020 SPLOST, covers about 10 miles of roadwork and is intended as a lower-cost, lower-disruption treatment to extend pavement life. The county’s pursuit of CDBG-CV funds is aimed at supporting a Chattanooga Area Food Bank Dalton location; if awarded, the county approved a grant administrator and architect to support the application. The SPCR extension formalizes reimbursement arrangements for District Attorney personnel through June 30, 2022.

Key votes and approvals at a glance

- Transit procurement policy: Adopted to meet GDOT federal funding requirements; motion by Commissioner John Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Robbins; vote 4-0.

- Section 5311 transit grant submittal: Approved to seek 50% federal funding with a 50% local match if awarded; motion by Commissioner Robbins, seconded by Commissioner Greg Jones; vote 4-0.

- CDBG-CV grant administration and architect contracts: Gilbert & Associates approved for grant administration (writing fee $7,500 plus 6% administration fee); Carter-Watkins approved for architect services at 8% of construction cost with an $8,500 professional architect report to be deducted from the fee if the grant is awarded; motion passed 4-0.

- GEMA C.E.R.T. grant: Approved acceptance of a $13,500 grant to fund Community Emergency Response Team training; motion passed 4-0.

- Micro-resurfacing contract: Contracted with Asphalt Paving Systems for 10 miles of micro-resurfacing at $450,000 funded by 2020 SPLOST; motion passed 4-0.

- Animal Shelter change order #2: Crown Service Contractors awarded $63,887 for interior build-out work; motion passed 4-0.

- Administration office lease extension: Extended lease with Triple E. Properties for floors 3–5 of the Wells Fargo building through June 30, 2023 at $10,550 per month, with a 120-day termination clause; motion passed 4-0.

- SPCR contract extension for District Attorney’s office: Extended through June 30, 2022 for $497,252.60 and approved a resolution to transition SPCR employees into state-paid slots as they open; motion passed 4-0.

Petition to close Tiarco Drive

The board accepted a petition from Textile Rubber and Chemical Company, Inc. to close and abandon Tiarco Drive SW and initiated the statutory process required by Georgia law, which includes notifying adjacent property owners and holding a public hearing. The hearing was set for the board’s Dec. 14 regular meeting, when the county may decide whether to close the roadway.

Other actions and administrative items

The board approved an alcohol beverage license for Corner Mart (1910 S. Dixie Hwy), accepted two parcels de-annexed by the City of Varnell into unincorporated Whitfield County, declared a 2013 Ford Interceptor surplus for sale on GovDeals and tabled the Tax Commissioner parking lot bid award for later consideration. Finance Director James Garvin presented the September financials, which showed year-to-date revenues exceeding projections and expenditures below projections.

The meeting concluded with a department goals update from Finance and adjournment by the chairman. County Clerk Blanca Cardona signed the minutes on Dec. 14, 2021.

Sources: Whitfield County Board of Commissioners regular business meeting minutes, Nov. 8, 2021.