Dawson County commissioners approve gymnasium, road contracts and opioid support grants

The Dawson County Board of Commissioners on May 15, 2025 voted unanimously to approve a series of contracts, grant applications and local grant awards, including a design-build contract for a new gymnasium at Rock Creek Park and multiple road-rehabilitation contracts.

The board awarded RFP #472-25 for Design-Build Services for a new Rock Creek Park gymnasium to Cooper & Company for $6,927,460. The board directed county staff to return with a Guaranteed Maximum Price change order for final construction-cost approval. Funding for the award was identified as Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) VI, SPLOST VII and Impact Fee funds.

The board also approved submission of the county's 2025 Local Maintenance & Improvement Grant (LMIG) Local Road Assistance application and an associated request for Georgia Department of Transportation funding.

On IFB #473-25 the commissioners awarded contracts for road rehabilitation on four county roads—Keith Evans Road, Blue Ridge Overlook, Night Fire Drive and Dogwood Way. Blount Construction Company Inc. received a contract in the amount of $2,227,688.88 and C.W. Matthews received a contract in the amount of $1,571,525. The board authorized a 10 percent county-controlled contingency, for a total project authorization of $4,179,135.27, to be funded with Transportation SPLOST dollars.

Following additional information provided by County Manager Joey Leverette, the board approved the Dawson County Opioid Support Program grant recipients by a 4-0 vote. The awards total $156,730 and were allocated as follows: Dawson County Treatment Services, $74,400; CrossBridge Community Church (Celebrate Recovery), $22,480; Local Church Dawson (Celebrate Recovery), $28,600; Avita Community Partners, $15,000; J’s Place, $10,000; and Dawson County Family Connection, $6,250.

The board also approved two appointments: Benjamin Adams was appointed to the Region 2 EMS Advisory Council to replace Justin Mitchell for a term of July 2025 through June 2028; and Kevin Herrit was reappointed as the private-sector appointee to the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission for a term of July 2025 through June 2026. Approval votes noted in the minutes were 4-0 on all items; Chairman Billy Thurmond was absent from the session.

Votes at a glance • Approve minutes (May 1, 2025 work session) — Motion by Stowers, second Bruce; outcome: approved, 4-0. • Approve minutes (May 1, 2025 voting session) — Motion by Bruce, second Stowers; outcome: approved, 4-0. • Approve agenda as presented — outcome: approved, 4-0. • RFP #472-25 — Award to Cooper & Company, $6,927,460; funding: SPLOST VI, SPLOST VII, Impact Fee; outcome: approved, 4-0 (mover Stowers, seconder Bruce); staff to return with GMP change order. • LMIG application and GDOT funding request — outcome: approved, 4-0 (mover Gaines, seconder Stowers). • IFB #473-25 — Road rehabilitation contracts: Blount Construction Company Inc. ($2,227,688.88) and C.W. Matthews ($1,571,525); 10% contingency; total $4,179,135.27; funding: Transportation SPLOST; outcome: approved, 4-0 (mover Stowers, seconder Turkett). • Dawson County Opioid Support Program grant awards — six recipients totaling $156,730; outcome: approved, 4-0 (motion recorded following information from County Manager Joey Leverette). • Board appointments — Benjamin Adams to Region 2 EMS Advisory Council (term July 2025–June 2028) and Kevin Herrit reappointed to Georgia Mountains Regional Commission (term July 2025–June 2026); outcome: approved, 4-0.

The session opened with roll call and a brief announcement: Vice Chairman Chris Gaines said Styles Park will hold a grand opening celebration on June 17, 2025. There were no public comments recorded. The minutes certify the session adjournment with signatures to be attached by the chairman and county clerk.