Whitfield County commissioners approve truck purchases, grants and SRO funding

WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. — The Whitfield County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 10 approved a series of vehicle purchases and contracts, ratified grant awards and confirmed an intergovernmental agreement to fund school resource officers, county officials said.

The board voted unanimously to buy a 2024 F-550 service truck for $231,987 and five Kenworth 880 dump trucks for $1,035,425 using 2024 SPLOST funds, and to purchase a striping truck for $473,281.07 using 2020 SPLOST. County officials said the new dump trucks are expected in June 2025 and will replace aging units from 1987–2004. Commissioners also approved purchase of two 2024 Ford F-150 Crew Cab trucks from Ford of Dalton for $110,600 under state contract pricing.

The actions were part of a larger procurement slate approved during the meeting. The board awarded a 2025 gravel/crushed-stone contract to Vulcan Materials for $150,000; approved an annual road striping contract with C R Coating; and authorized rental agreements for a tandem truck and operator with Tunnel Express as first call and Wheat Trucking as second.

Officials ratified several grants and agreements. The board approved a $61,052 increase to a CDBG-CV food bank grant to reimburse allowable costs tied to cooler/freezer repairs and ratified two Byrne SCIP grants — $98,479 to support personnel and operating costs for the Conasauga Domestic Violence Court and $78,184 to fund a Juvenile Court Intervention Coordinator and related programming for 2025.

The county also ratified a memorandum of understanding with the Enterprise Center in Chattanooga to deliver the Tech Goes Home digital skills program using remaining digital-equity grant funds; the contract amount is $15,187.

On public safety matters, commissioners approved purchase of Knox Box secure systems for apparatus ($24,989, 2020 SPLOST) and authorized purchase of 20 radios for the sheriff’s office from Motorola Solutions for $116,992.95 (2020 SPLOST). The board ratified a vehicle purchase for the sheriff’s office from Ford of Dalton for $60,000 (2020 SPLOST).

The board approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Whitfield County Board of Education and the sheriff that will allow the school system to fund up to 24 school resource officers (SROs) and one School Detective/School Safety Specialist. Under the agreement, the School Board will reimburse the county a flat rate of $350 per SRO per day; the county remains responsible for paid time off and salary when schools are not in session. County staff estimated the county cost at about $250,000 in 2026.

Other routine actions included declaring an ES&S Balotar Flex Model #N31204A voting unit surplus because it is no longer certified under O.C.G.A. 21-2-300; declaring a 2011 Ford Escape surplus for auction; ratifying a $50,000 insurance claim for water damage at Riverbend Park; and approving a $40,000 budget amendment to rebuild Public Works truck storage buildings after storm damage.

During public comment, a speaker identified as Ms. Caldwell asked the board to address trash on Dug Gap Mountain Road. Later in the meeting, Will Caldwell asked whether the county would opt out of HB581; Chairman Jevin Jensen said the board will not opt out of HB581. Vendors Ricky Wheat and Rita Jackson requested follow-up on the tandem dump truck/operator bid and were referred to County Engineer Kent Benson.

The board held an executive session to discuss real estate with the county attorney and senior staff present and reconvened to adjourn. The meeting minutes record unanimous votes on all listed motions.

Funding sources cited in the meeting included 2020 SPLOST and 2024 SPLOST, state contract pricing for certain vehicle purchases, federal pass-through grant funds (digital equity and Byrne SCIP), and local grant administration for the CDBG-CV award.

The commissioners are scheduled to continue routine business as posted; trucks ordered in this meeting are expected to arrive in mid-2025.