Work session: Georgia Forestry report, hiring and sewer-grant update; roundabout remains on track

At the Aug. 26 work session of the Commission of the Unified Government of Cusseta'Chattahoochee County, Justin Brown, chief ranger for Georgia Forestry, delivered the annual protection report for the July'June period and department heads and the county manager gave operational updates.

Brown said the county pays $0.10 per acre for forestry protection across about 34,000 acres; the office issued 26 permits affecting seven landowners and recorded one wildfire in Chattahoochee County during the reporting year. Brown announced he is transferring to a position in Schley County; commissioners thanked him.

Department heads reported that youth-sports registration concluded for football and the splash pad season is ending; staff noted new permits (Magnolia Grove) and ongoing maintenance such as hydrant repainting. Lou Beck said GDOT free training will be offered for public-works staff and the county is hiring a mechanic and three crew members.

County Manager Thomas Weaver said a sewer grant application was not awarded and that the county will review the application after Sept. 30 to determine next steps. Weaver also said the county is moving forward on payroll outsourcing and that the DOT roundabout project remains on schedule to begin construction early next year. He recommended changing vehicle-replacement practices to consider purchasing government-rate used vehicles rather than renewing enterprise leases. Weaver asked to add cardboard-compactor rental, business recycling billing, an RVRC appointment and Old City Hall use by the Board of Education to the Sept. 3 agenda for action.

No formal votes were taken on these work-session items; several were scheduled for the Sept. 3 regular meeting.