Coffee County approves road change orders, authorizes financing for motorgrader

The Coffee County Board of Commissioners on June 5 approved multiple change orders to ongoing road contracts and authorized financing to acquire a new motorgrader.

County Administrator Wesley Vickers told commissioners the county needs contract adjustments on several projects: a $53,475 change to the 2017 CDBG Riverbank Drive contract (new total $2,042,853.47) to address a relocated 2-inch waterline and a possible allowance for unsuitable soil; a $171,697.03 change to the 2023 LMIG resurfacing for Brantley Boulevard (new total $1,452,463.88) tied to resurfacing requested by the EDA in connection with the development of Satilla Park; and a $41,517.40 change for 2023 LMIG patching on Jowers Road and Worth Lane (new total $3,358,198.20).

Vickers said the Riverbank Drive project will receive a 30-day extension with an expected completion date of July 2, 2023, and noted the county included a $20,000 allowance in case unsuitable soil is encountered.

Mr. Vickers also reported the county received two bids to finance two motorgraders and recommended financing one grader for $295,000 with Truist at 4.09% for five years; he said one grader will be financed using a buyback and the other via the proposed lease purchase.

Vice-Chairman Jimmy Kitchens moved to approve the listed change orders; Commissioner Johnny Wayne Jowers seconded the motion and all commissioners voted in favor. Commissioner AJ Dovers moved to approve the resolution authorizing the lease purchase agreement with ACCG and financing through Truist; Commissioner Oscar Paulk seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The commissioners did not identify any conflicts of interest during the vote. The Brantley Boulevard resurfacing will be paid from TSPLOST funds as part of an EDA-linked improvement, according to Vickers.