Tift County previews $2.65M Gazette Building renovation, motorgrader purchase and pavement engineering addendum for July 14 consent agenda

The Tift County Board of Commissioners on July 8 previewed several items it plans to place on the July 14 consent agenda, including a $2,647,318 low-bid award for renovation of the Gazette Building and multiple county contracts and purchases.

County Manager Jim Carter told commissioners that three bids were received for the Gazette Building renovation and McWright LLC submitted the low bid of $2,647,318.00. Carter said funding for the project would come from SPLOST VI and that staff outlined a tentative construction schedule; the board indicated it wanted the item placed on the consent agenda rather than debated at the work session.

Public Works Director Jason Jordan reported on two planned equipment purchases. Three bids were received for two motorgraders; Jordan said the low bidder was Yancey CAT at $284,527.00 per grader. According to Jordan, one grader would be purchased through the General Fund (a budgeted item) and the other with TSPLOST funds. Jordan also said staff is not recommending the purchase of a maintenance agreement for the machines.

Jordan described a $29,210 addendum to an existing contract with Watkins & Associates LLC that would allow the engineer to assist with quantity calculations, bidding and construction administration for the FY2025 pavement improvements project. The paving scope the board reviewed includes Red Oak Road — Phase 1 (Whiddon Mill Road to Cromer Road) and Phase 2 (Cromer Road to U.S. Highway 41) — along with Academy Drive and Brookfield Nashville Road. Jordan said the addendum would be funded from SPLOST VI.

Community Development Services Director Chad Branch summarized several staff items slated for the consent agenda. Branch said staff proposes Ordinance No. 2025-02 to add a county code section mirroring OCGA § 44-7-14.1, which would make it unlawful for a landlord to knowingly and willfully suspend the furnishing of utilities to a tenant until after final disposition of a dispossessory. Branch also said the Southern Georgia Regional Commission will continue the county's GIS mapping work under a one-year, budgeted agreement for $1,000; the board signaled it would place both items on the consent agenda.

Carter said the Office of the Circuit Public Defender provides indigent defense services for Tift County and that the contract cost is budgeted at $374,318.82; the board indicated it planned to include that agreement on the consent agenda as well.

None of these items were formally voted on at the July 8 work session; commissioners repeatedly indicated a preference to place them on the July 14 regular-session consent agenda for formal consideration. The board is scheduled to take up the consent agenda at its July 14 meeting.