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Newton County commissioners approve grant, transportation plan and several routine actions; refund to church approved with one abstention
Summary
At the May 19 meeting commissioners approved acceptance of a $100,250.15 opioid-abatement grant and related positions, a $400,000 comprehensive transportation plan, an intergovernmental Williams Road agreement costing $500,000 of county SPLOST funds, abandonment of a Pate Drive easement, renewal of FY27 Cigna benefits, and a $6,920.71 ad valorem tax refund for Wesley Methodist Church (one abstention).
The Newton County Board of Commissioners on May 19 approved a package of motions that included grant acceptance, planning funds and routine administrative actions.
Key actions recorded at the meeting (voice-vote approvals unless noted):
- Acceptance of a $100,250.15 Georgia Opioid Abatement Trust grant to fund an on-site instant lab and three part-time positions for accountability court screening (presented by Chief Judge Zone). No local match required.
- Establishment of the three grant-funded part-time positions (two lab collectors and one part-time lab director); HR was directed to create the roles.
- Approval of a resolution to abandon an easement on Pate Drive after staff said it no longer serves transportation department needs.
- Approval of the comprehensive transportation plan covering countywide needs and associated $400,000 funding (about 80% FHWA, 20% local match); staff will coordinate with the Georgia Department of Transportation on state-route analyses.
- Approval of an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Covington for a Williams Road project; the county’s portion is $500,000 paid from the 2023 SPLOST.
- Renewal of the FY27 employee medical and dental insurance with Cigna, following a unanimous vetting-committee recommendation.
- Approval of a 2025 ad valorem tax refund for Wesley Methodist Church of Covington in the amount of $6,920.71 under Georgia statutory exemptions for places of worship. Commissioner Miller stated he would abstain from voting because the church is his place of worship; the record notes the refund but does not include a roll-call tally.
Other business included a Goodwill of North Georgia proclamation and a Commissioner statement offering to reimburse county funds after a surprise anniversary dinner (invoice reported at $4,200). The meeting adjourned following the votes.
Procedural notes: Most motions were adopted by voice vote and the transcript does not include individual roll-call tallies for the listed approvals.
