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Cochran council splits 3–2; mayor breaks tie to hire Gilbert & Associates for CDBG work
Summary
After debate over advertising the request for proposals and local contracting, the council voted 3–2 (Mayor Yeomans breaking the tie) to hire Gilbert & Associates to administer a CDBG grant, with councilors Coley and Savant opposed.
The Cochran City Council voted on Jan. 14 to hire Gilbert & Associates to serve as grant administrator for a proposed CDBG project after a divided debate over bidding and use of local contractors.
The Grant Review Committee presented two proposals—Gilbert & Associates (Lawrenceville) and Grant Specialist of Georgia—with identical fee structures (a $6,500 grant-preparation fee, a 7% administration fee and $3,200 for project delivery). Council Member Carla Coley questioned why the RFPs had not been broadly advertised and urged careful consideration of local firms. Council Member Shane Savant also pushed for more local contracting opportunities to keep grant money in the community. Council Member Gary Ates defended the recommendation, citing prior success with the proposed contractor.
Motion to hire Gilbert & Associates was moved by Council Member Gary Ates and seconded by Council Member Lonnie Tedders. The council vote resulted in a 2–2 tie (Ates and Tedders yes; Coley and Savant no). Mayor Billy Yeomans cast the tie-breaking vote in favor, and the motion carried 3–2.
The council also discussed an Industrial Development Authority application for the One Georgia Fund—up to $2 million with a $200,000 IDA match—intended to fund water and sewer infrastructure for the industrial park. Council directed staff to prepare a resolution of support for the Feb. 11 meeting and noted Falcon Design will assist with the application.
Outcome: Gilbert & Associates was authorized to proceed as the CDBG grant administrator; staff was directed to prepare an IDA One Georgia Fund support resolution.
