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Lincoln County approves architects, grants, software and operational spending, and authorizes ARP transfer
Summary
At the March 10 meeting the board approved a $70,000 architectural contract for the 1823 Exchange (paid by the county development authority), $20,000 for grant administration, a CivicPlus scheduling system (~$11,884 start-up), a $9,978 DOT transit grant application, $40,000 for computer replacements, monitoring well and equipment purchases, and an $88,186.93 ARP transfer into the water fund for repairs and legal bills.
Lincoln County commissioners approved a series of contracts, grants and operational actions at their March 10 meeting, authorizing work on a historic restoration project, upgrading software and equipment, and transferring federal ARP funds to cover water‑fund repairs and legal bills.
The board authorized the chairman to sign a $70,000 standard agreement with 2KM Architects for architectural services related to the "1823 Exchange" (the Lamar Blanchard seed project). Director McNes said the contract will be paid by the Lincoln County Development Authority and will not cost the county general fund. The board also approved a $20,000 administrative services agreement with CSR Regional Commission for grant administration related to the historic restoration work.
Director Meadows requested approval to apply for and accept a Georgia Department of Transportation Transit Trust Fund non‑matching grant of $9,978 to purchase small capital items for the transit system; the board approved the application and acceptance.
Among county operational purchases, the board approved up to $40,000 to begin replacement of desktop workstations (estimated to replace ~20 of roughly 79 aging units), funded from SPLOST 7 Tier 2. The board also approved a CivicPlus recreation and facility scheduling system with an initial start‑up/license cost presented as $11,884 (covering start-up through June 30, 2027) and recurring annual cost of $5,315 thereafter; staff said the hotel/motel tax fund will cover the purchase.
Finance Director Doss requested and the board approved transferring $88,186.93 from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) fund to the county water fund to cover repairs at lift stations, plant and force main work, and two legal bills (listed in the meeting as $26,513 and $21,915). Doss told commissioners FEMA had closed out the county's Hurricane Helen account and that a final FEMA check would be "in the neighborhood of $300,000," which would settle related Helen expenses.
The board also authorized up to $10,000 to drill a post‑closure monitoring well (GWC‑4R) at the closed landfill in compliance with Georgia EPD, approved a purchase (not to exceed $12,000) to outfit an existing county tractor with a loader bucket, forks and a third valve, and approved removal of several local elected officials to the county purchasing card program.
Votes at a glance: • 2KM Architects contract (1823 Exchange): approved (motion carried). • CSR grant administration ($20,000): approved (motion carried). • GDOT Transit Trust Fund application ($9,978): approved (motion carried). • CivicPlus facility/recreation software (initial ~$11,884): approved (motion carried). • Computer workstation replacement (up to $40,000 from SPLOST 7 Tier 2): approved (motion carried). • ARP transfer to water fund ($88,186.93): approved (motion carried). • Monitoring well at closed landfill (up to $10,000): approved (motion carried). • Loader bucket and installation (not to exceed $12,000): approved (motion carried). • Purchasing cards: authorized additional elected officials to participate (motion carried).
Why it matters: The actions fund capital and operating needs in transportation, public works, IT, and historic restoration. The ARP transfer addresses outstanding water‑fund repairs and legal liabilities that the county said must be paid.
What’s next: Staff were directed to complete contract execution and procurement steps, apply for the DOT grant, and process the ARP transfer and procurement requests through Finance and the appropriate departments.
