Anderson County OKs $395,000 to stabilize Park Road, directs itemized cost breakdown

The Anderson County Board of County Commissioners voted to fund a $395,000 project to stabilize Park Road, approving $85,000 from sports-gaming revenue and $310,000 from the county's unassigned fund balance.

Commissioners said the project is time-sensitive because of rising water levels and an upcoming fishing tournament, and they pressed the road superintendent for a detailed, itemized cost breakdown to satisfy audit concerns.

The decision mattered to commissioners who said delay would raise costs and public-safety risks. Commissioner Mccamey moved the funding measure and Commissioner Allen seconded; the motion passed on a voice vote. Commissioners noted that prior budget committee review had advanced the project but that audit had requested a more detailed cost breakdown before finalizing funding sources.

Road Superintendent Gary Long told the commission the $395,000 figure represented quoted stabilization work the county's crews would support; he said additional paving and guardrail work would follow and that the quoted amount may be an underestimate of total eventual costs once ancillary work is included. "We want this finished before we do the new topping," he said, arguing for coordinating stabilization with planned paving.

Commissioners agreed to require submission of the itemized breakdown to the finance director and audit staff. The commission also discussed alternate funding possibilities, including capital reserve funds, highway funds and tourism-related revenues, and directed staff to return with documentation if spending comes in under or over the approved amounts.

The vote authorizes the highway work to proceed with the specified funding sources and a requirement that the highway superintendent provide the cost detail auditors requested. The commission recorded the motion and announced the motion passed; a roll-call tally was not read into the record in the transcript.