Public Works gets LMIG bids and new equipment in BOC meeting

FANNIN COUNTY, Ga. – Two approvals came for Public Works this week as the Fannin County Board of Commissioners discussed LMIG bids and equipment during their August 23, 2022, meeting.

Tabled from their previous meeting in order to hear more information from their Public Works Director, the BOC returned to the item with Johnson Paving’s bid for Cutcane Road and Friendship Road at $1,387,937. C.W. Matthews’ bid for the same roads was $1,683,465. Colwell Construction Company’s bid, also for the same roads, was  $1,852,503.

Public Works Director Zack Ratcliff was unable to be at the current meeting, but Commission Chairman Jamie Hensley said he had talked with Ratcliff about the bids to make sure it was “apples to apples comparisons.” With his assurance that it was, the Chairman said Ratcliff’s recommendation was to go with the low bid of Johnson Paving. Hensley then made that motion, seconded by Post Commissioner Johnny Scearce. The board unanimously approved Johnson Paving for the LMIG bid.

Afterwards, staying on the topic of Public Works, the board discussed two new pieces of equipment for the county’s new trucks in the department. Hensley said that the equipment is salt spreaders to slide into the back of those pickups to be used for quicker access and salt spreading in the winter. With each spreader costing $7,354 each, the board approved purchasing both spreaders.

Scearce commented saying, “We bought the trucks didn’t we? Might as well buy the things that goes in them.”

Unanimous approval came for $14,708 for two SaltDogg Pro Series Salt and Sand Spreaders to be paid for out of SPLOST.

Additionally, the meeting also saw the Board of Commissioners change the implementation date on a former ordinance about alarm systems in the county. Hensley stated that providers have asked to extend the time before implementation from September 1 to October 1, 2022.  Approved last month, no motion came from the board, but Hensley stated that he wanted to let them know they will be delaying implementation until October 1, 2022.