Polk County board signs off on zoning changes, budget amendment, capital plan and multiple purchases

The Polk County Board of Commissioners approved a package of routine and substantive items at its Sept. 2, 2025 meeting, including four zoning changes, amendments to the FY2026 budget, approval of the FY2026 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), purchases of vehicles and a fire tanker, and awards for airport and landfill services.

Zoning and land-use: The Board approved zoning change requests Z25-07 (95 Wieuca Way, Cedartown), Z25-08 (1049 Stringer Road, Rockmart), Z25-09 (63 Wimberley Hill Loop, Cedartown) and Z25-10 (2139 Old Cedartown Road, Cedartown) after Planning and Zoning Commission recommendations for approval.

Budget and capital plan: The Board approved a resolution amending the FY2026 General Fund Budget to reflect additional revenue for LOST and TAVT, restore funding (salary and benefits) for a previously frozen Animal Control Officer position and add required funding for elected officials’ retirement. The packet states anticipated expenses increased by $300,000 and that the additional revenue allowed a $216,200 reduction in other funding sources. The Board also approved the FY2026 CIP, noting pending funding issues tied to an internal audit of remaining 2014 SPLOST funds and that the CIP may be amended later to reflect available funds.

Procurements and equipment: The Board approved surplus of a 2019 Ford Escape for trade-in toward a 2025 Police Interceptor and approved purchase of that interceptor from Prater Ford for $43,903.84 (to be funded by trade-in value, insurance proceeds and drug seizure funds). The Board approved purchasing a 2023 Pierce Tanker from Brindlee Mountain for $460,000 from 2020 SPLOST; minutes note the tanker has fewer than 2,000 miles and would cost more than $700,000 new. The Board awarded a maintenance bid for the Polk County Airport Fuel Farm Facility to Perry Brothers Aviation Fuels for $69,711.68, funded by 2020 SPLOST.

Contracts and services: The Board approved a Task Order with Oasis Consulting for ongoing monitoring and maintenance of the Old Hwy 278 landfill to address recurring methane gas at a cost of $17,795, to be funded from the Landfill Fund balance. The Board also approved amendments to the Tax Abatement Schedule in Exhibit A of the 2018 Intergovernmental Agreement and a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) about FY2026 budgeting arrangements.

Votes at a glance: Z25-07 (approved, unanimous); Z25-08 (approved, unanimous); Z25-09 (approved, unanimous); Z25-10 (approved, unanimous); Building Inspections fee schedule update (approved, unanimous); Police interceptor purchase (approved, unanimous); Pierce tanker purchase (approved, unanimous); Airport fuel farm bid award to Perry Brothers ($69,711.68, approved, unanimous); Oasis Consulting Task Order ($17,795, approved, unanimous); FY2026 budget amendment (approved, unanimous); CIP approval (approved, unanimous); Tax abatement Exhibit A amendments (approved, unanimous); DFCS MOU (approved, unanimous); surplus items approval (approved, unanimous).

The minutes show these actions were largely uncontroversial and passed with unanimous or recorded majorities as noted; no public-comment controversy is recorded on these items. Several items (notably the CIP) include caveats about pending funding or audits; the Board recorded that administration will amend documents later as needed.