LJA's Don Cleary briefs commissioners on SPLOST projects and timeline

Don Cleary of LJA presented the board with the second 0.25 SPLOST update, calling the report a snapshot of the county's IGA summary, collections, budgets and project commitments through June. He told commissioners the program is moving toward a busy 2027 for spending and construction activity.

Cleary walked commissioners through active projects, saying the Longview drainage and pavement repairs are over 50% complete and should finish later this summer after crews removed buried debris. He described the Lumpkin Campground corridor projects as advancing into right-of-way phases with one parcel remaining and sign/utility impacts still being resolved.

Cleary said the team has kicked off design on State Route 9 North at Perimeter Road, agreed with Georgia DOT on a roundabout concept, and expects surveys to begin soon. He noted Cowart Road has been awarded as a full-depth reclamation project and is moving to construction, and Couch Road has progressed through preliminary design as staff balance improvements and budget constraints.

The presentation included completed-project photos (Nightfire, Dogwood, Hanging Dog) and a highlight on Elliot Road, which was rebuilt via full-depth reclamation and came in on budget to provide an estimated 25-year road base. Commissioners asked sequencing questions about concurrent projects (Lumpkin, Whitmire, Red Ryder); Cleary emphasized prioritizing the roundabout and completing surveys and right-of-way work before overlapping construction phases.

No formal board action was taken during the informational presentation.