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Oconee County cautioned on higher GDOT utility costs; plans to use $924,659 LRA funds for roundabout and resurfacing
Summary
Staff told commissioners GDOT will reimburse 25% of a water-facility relocation tied to a proposed roundabout but the county’s 75% share is approximately $281,853.75; a separate GDOT invoice for project 0013763 increased to $278,125 from a prior $184,550 estimate, and staff recommended using $924,659.79 in LRA funds for a roundabout and Salem Road resurfacing if excess remains.
County staff presented multiple transportation-related finance items April 28, telling commissioners about GDOT contract item agreements and an unexpected invoice that raised the county’s final bill on a prior relocation.
On a proposed roundabout at State Route 53, Malcolm Bridge Road and Ray Church Road, staff said GDOT submitted a contract package for water‑facility adjustments and estimated the total relocation cost (transcript unclear on the initial string). GDOT would pay 25% of the relocation and the county’s 75% share was given as $281,853.75; staff recommended executing the agreement and including necessary budget amendments.
Separately, staff reported that a previously discussed GDOT project (0013763) carried a supporting estimate of $184,550 but GDOT issued an April invoice for $278,125. According to staff, the executed contract requires the county to bear 100% of that relocation cost; commissioners were told the higher bill reflected increased material prices (notably pipe costs) rather than a change in quantities.
On supplemental state funding, staff said Georgia’s LRA program allocated $924,659.79 to Oconee County. Staff recommended using that money for the Snow's Mill/Cold Springs/AOK Road roundabout (an estimated $900,000) and, if any funds remain, applying them to Salem Road resurfacing and other paving needs so the county would not return funds to GDOT.
Commissioners asked whether higher-than-expected bills came from additional work or price increases; staff said quantities were unchanged and the main driver was increased pipe pricing (one commissioner noted DIP pipe costs had risen over 50%). Several commissioners confirmed county funding sources exist to cover the local shares.
Why it matters: The items affect county capital spending and can increase near-term liabilities; the board’s acceptance of these contract agreements and LRA allocations will affect how road projects proceed and how the county budgets for relocation costs.
