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Work session: Chattahoochee County discusses road repairs, quarterly budget amendments and public‑records concerns
Summary
At a March 25 work session county staff reported road repairs and new Local Road Assistance funds, presented proposed quarterly budget amendments of $294,725, and Chairman Coffey raised concerns about nondisclosure practices and public‑records compliance on the county portal.
County Manager Thomas Weaver opened the March 25 work session and reported that the county received a Local Road Assistance grant that will piggyback with LMIG funding, allowing additional road repairs. Weaver said McGlaun Road and part of Smith Road had been resurfaced previously with #7 stone and will need additional work this year; Liberty Hill Road and Wells Street required riprap repairs. County staff also reported a landfill inspection that led to headwall repairs and that a county building received a new air‑conditioning unit. The county's 2025 SPLOST account has begun receiving proceeds.
Commissioners discussed road priorities, including Liberty Hill and Riverbend roads; Weaver noted $190,000 available to help both and that Riverbend may qualify as a TSPLOST or regional project to be discussed at a regional meeting. Friendship Road LMIG bid packets were received and the item was tabled for further review at the next work session.
The manager presented proposed quarterly budget amendments totaling $294,725 to cover items including an unbudgeted property tax reimbursement, EMS salary adjustments, prisoner housing costs, increased legal services due to ongoing litigation, library budget corrections and a coroner salary correction. Commissioners asked that quarterly amendments be reviewed every three months.
Chairman Charles Coffey raised concerns about the county's use of nondisclosure and the public records portal (Q‑Public), saying some records that should be public were being withheld and urging commissioners to review open‑records law and ensure the county follows it, while acknowledging limited exceptions for law‑enforcement records.
The work session packet also included community development and recreation updates: Mordie Askew provided recreation department notes and Samantha Hedgecoke provided community development items including a rabies clinic on April 5 and upcoming 4‑H and car show events. Hedgecoke and the county attorney were asked to begin work on cemetery bylaws. The work session adjourned at about 9:44 a.m.
What happens next: the Friendship Road LMIG bid will be reviewed at a future work session; staff will prepare the quarterly amendments for formal action at the next regular meeting and pursue regional coordination for Riverbend Road discussions.
