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County work session outlines SPLOST/tourism projects, water repairs and a looming trash contract increase
Summary
At a July 28 work session, Cusseta‑Chattahoochee officials reviewed water‑system repairs, proposed tourism projects funded by Hotel/Motel and SPLOST money, pending bids for Friendship Road, and options to absorb residential solid‑waste pickup in‑house after a proposed contract price increase from GFL.
County Manager Thomas Weaver told commissioners at a July 28 work session that water and public‑works departments handled several July repairs and routine tasks: five service‑line repairs, Tank #2 cleaning by US Tank (on a four‑year cycle), 46 locates for internet service, and culvert and grader work on county roads. Weaver said the consumer confidence report for water was submitted and that staff are waiting on Popco before shutting down another tank for repairs.
Weaver proposed several tourism and recreation projects that would use Hotel/Motel and SPLOST funds: renovating a room in City Hall as a welcome center for visitors, building a fishing pier at Riverbend Park, developing usable campsites with power and mound septic systems, and adding restroom facilities near the King Street basketball court. He reported roughly $813,251 in Hotel/Motel funds available and said more than $500,000 in 2025 SPLOST receipts have been collected so far, and recommended obtaining quotes and moving forward with design and repairs.
On transportation, staff recommended adding a Friendship Road contract award to the Aug. 5 regular meeting; bids received were Oxford at $358,750 and Robinson Paving at $389,118.85.
Solid‑waste service and rates drew extended discussion. Weaver said the current annual residential cost for contracted pickup is about $480,137 countywide and that a notice from GFL would raise the residential portion from about $312,000 to $342,000 annually. He presented a preliminary estimate that bringing residential pickup in‑house could save about $92,000 a year (not including the capital cost of purchasing a collection truck, which Weaver said could be funded from SPLOST). Weaver said contract indexing language references CPI and that any increase would take effect roughly 60 days after notice.
Weaver also said enforcement and payment processes at the county recycle center have been tightened after an apparent pattern of nonpayment by some contractors; staff are exploring on‑site payment options and signage to reduce confusion.
Other items placed on the Aug. 5 agenda included a review of the conditional‑use permit process, a Planning & Zoning membership change (from seven to five) to address quorum problems, a proposed Board of Health appointment (Alison Wigand), the FLOST readings, the SEID trail grant application (site visit scheduled), and routine agreements including the 4‑H annual contract and a New Horizons board reappointment. The commission entered executive session at 10:29 a.m. to discuss personnel and land matters and reconvened at 11:05 a.m.; the county attorney presented a draft cemetery ordinance for future consideration.
The work session adjourned at 11:08 a.m.; several items discussed were put on the Aug. 5 regular‑meeting agenda for formal action.
