Whitfield County commissioners approve Westside Park contract, multiple grants and rezoning decisions

The Whitfield County Board of Commissioners approved a series of contracts, grants and land-use actions at its regular meeting on May 8, 2023, including a $1,725,249.50 construction contract for a football and soccer facility at Westside Park and multiple grant-related budget moves.

Chairman Jevin Jensen called the meeting to order. Comptroller James Garvin presented the March financial statement, reporting Local Option Sales Tax collections of $1,358,718 for March and year-to-date revenues exceeding projections; the board approved the financial report 3-0.

The board awarded the Westside Park construction contract to Momon Construction of Calhoun, Ga., for $1,725,249.50 and authorized the chairman to sign the contract. Commissioners also ratified a $149,792 playground bid for Riverbend Park from Play Safe Solutions and approved a $125,000 contract with McCormick Solutions to update commercial and industrial property valuation schedules.

The board approved a budget amendment to move $212,500 from fund balance into Public Works expenditures to implement projects under a Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) safety grant awarded in May 2021. The board also ratified an invitation-only COPS Technology and Equipment Grant application for a mass spectrometer for the sheriff’s drug unit; the equipment was listed at an estimated $93,775, with the county proposing to use $18,755 from the Sheriff's Forfeiture Fund if the award is made.

Whitfield County Transit Service’s application to the new Transit Trust Fund Program (TTFP) was ratified; the program’s population-based allocation for Whitfield County was $90,453 and the county applied for $90,449.74 in capital and operating needs, including parts and planned salary increases for transit employees.

On personnel and governance, the board re-appointed Gail Junkins‑Noles to a six-year term on the Board of Assessors and approved a six‑year term for Bob Chiddister beginning Sept. 27, 2023. Bruce Satterfield was appointed to the Whitfield County EMS Quality Review Committee. The board approved a UGA County Extension Office contract for July 1, 2023–June 30, 2024 for $94,897.

Several planning and land‑use items were decided. The board accepted a de‑annexation request from Bryan Spence to move parcel 12‑254‑45‑000 into unincorporated Whitfield County for planned housing, and approved rezoning requests for parcels submitted by Kacie Perry and Gary Whaley. The board approved a rezoning for Tiny Tudors LLC from Low‑Density Single‑Family Residential (R‑2) to General Agriculture (GA) for a 14.37‑acre site along Reed Road, with conditions set by the Planning Commission including a 30‑foot vegetative buffer around the property, a net density cap of 28 sites for RV/tiny‑home spaces, a requirement that 40% of the site be maintained as greenspace, a continuous visual boundary or fence along the perimeter to prevent trespass, and a rental limitation of 14 days.

The board also voted to close and abandon a portion of Old Mitchell Bridge Road and to issue a quitclaim deed for the described land, approved a vendor change for two 3/4‑ton crew cab trucks to Ford of Dalton (a $9,238 increase vs. the prior vendor) and declared specified county vehicles and equipment surplus for sale on govdeals.com.

Public comment included an objection from Vicky Alt to the Tiny Tudors rezoning and a request from Brian Irwin for additional speed enforcement or traffic calming on Old Chattanooga Road. Chairman Jensen noted May is Mental Health Awareness Month and reminded residents about the 988 crisis line.

Votes at a glance: • Agenda approval — Motion by Commissioner Greg Jones; second Commissioner John Thomas; outcome: approved 3-0. • April 10, 2023 minutes approval — Motion by Commissioner Greg Jones; second Commissioner John Thomas; outcome: approved 3-0. • Ratify National Day of Prayer proclamation — Motion by Commissioner Barry W. Robbins; second Commissioner Greg Jones; outcome: approved 3-0. • Alcohol license — Dalton Fun Factory (2208 Cleveland Hwy #C) — Motion by Commissioner John Thomas; second Commissioner Greg Jones; outcome: approved 3-0. • Alcohol license — AARYA Food & Fuel (Kwik Ser 4, 2900 Airport Rd) — Motion by Commissioner Greg Jones; second Commissioner John Thomas; outcome: postponed to June 2023, 3-0. • Close and abandon Old Mitchell Bridge Rd — Motion by Commissioner Greg Jones; second Commissioner John Thomas; outcome: approved 3-0. • GDOT safety grant budget amendment ($212,500) — Motion by Commissioner Barry W. Robbins; second Commissioner Greg Jones; outcome: approved 3-0. • UGA Extension Office contract ($94,897) — Motion by Commissioner Barry W. Robbins; second Commissioner John Thomas; outcome: approved 3-0. • Ratify COPS Technology & Equipment Grant application ($75,000 request; equipment est. $93,775) — Motion by Commissioner Barry W. Robbins; second Commissioner Greg Jones; outcome: ratified 3-0. • Ratify TTFP application (applied $90,449.74) — Motion by Commissioner Barry W. Robbins; second Commissioner Greg Jones; outcome: ratified 3-0. • Award Westside Park contract ($1,725,249.50) — Motion by Commissioner Greg Jones; second Commissioner John Thomas; outcome: approved 3-0. • Ratify Riverbend Park playground ($149,792) — Motion by Commissioner Barry W. Robbins; second Commissioner John Thomas; outcome: approved 3-0. • McCormick Solutions commercial property update ($125,000) — Motion by Commissioner John Thomas; second Commissioner Greg Jones; outcome: approved 3-0. • Rezoning approvals (Perry, Whaley, Tiny Tudors with conditions) — Motions by Commissioners Jones/Thomas; outcome: approved 3-0.

Next steps: where motions require further procedural steps — for example site plans, permits or school district letters for alcohol licensing — staff will follow up per county process. The meeting entered executive session on real estate matters and adjourned after reconvening.