County explores SPLOST projects, emergency text alerts and payment portal at work session

County officials used an Aug. 25 work session to preview projects and administrative changes that could appear on upcoming agendas, ranging from park improvements and emergency alerts to online payment technology.

County Manager Thomas Weaver said staff will present estimated costs for SPLOST and tourism‑funded projects at the next work session, naming a dock at Riverbend Park, bathrooms at the King Street basketball court, and a Welcome Center at City Hall. Public‑works staff have started placing millings on Steeplechase and continued work on Firetower Road culverts, Weaver said. He also reported the county’s water tank valve had been replaced and two water‑department vacancies were filled.

Johnny Floyd asked that the agenda be amended previously so the county could obtain GEMA approval related to hazard mitigation; at the work session, staff discussed dredging the boat ramp area and obtaining updated quotes for a larger dock, which would require formal bidding due to project size. Mordie Askew said he would follow up with a marine firm that inspected the ramp.

Emergency management staff recommended adding IPAWS‑capable push alerts to the county’s TextMyGov system so the county could send broadcast emergency alerts for incidents such as major crashes on Highway 520. Commissioners agreed to add that item to an upcoming meeting agenda as a voting item.

Administrative items discussed included replacing the county’s online payment provider with a Caselle payment portal integrated with the county’s financial software to accept credit cards at the recycle center and for off‑site adoptions, and a proposed move from CoreBridge to an ACCG retirement plan vendor after ongoing problems with the current provider. The commission scheduled meeting changes to accommodate the ACCG conference and noted the county will post the FLOST resolution and cemetery ordinance text on the website for public review before subsequent readings.