Pickens County weighs Construction Manager at Risk approach for major SPLOST projects

Chairman Kris Stancil said the called meeting Aug. 4, 2026 was needed to address a time‑sensitive procurement matter and introduced a request to begin an RFP process to evaluate a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) delivery method for several major SPLOST projects. Director of External Services Bill Wood told the board the evaluation would cover the CMAR approach and potential construction managers, and that use of the method would proceed only if it proved beneficial.

Bill Wood said engineers recommended evaluating CMAR because "the method was recommended by the County's engineers due to its potential to improve project coordination, accelerate completion, provide greater cost certainty through a guaranteed maximum price, and reduce the County's risk." Chairman Stancil added that SPLOST projects are substantially through the design phase and that early contractor involvement could help keep projects within approved budget estimates. He emphasized the resolution under consideration would only authorize staff to begin the RFP process and that a future board action would be required to adopt CMAR or select a construction manager.

Commissioner Josh Tippens questioned whether the CMAR approach could raise costs because contractors assume more risk; Bill Wood replied the method is not expected to increase costs and could yield savings through improved management and a guaranteed maximum price. Commissioner Josh Tatum asked whether other counties use CMAR; Chairman Stancil cited Habersham County and said the county would not be bound to proceed if proposals were unfavorable. The board did not record a final vote on adopting CMAR during the called meeting; any selection or endorsement would return to a later meeting for formal approval.