Gilmer County commissioners approved a revised supplemental plan for the county which will allow spending $9 million from the general fund to address urgent needs in the county.
“We’re getting started on those as quickly as we can,” said Gilmer County Chair Charlie Paris. “The important thing to me is the funding is approved.”
The plan was approved at the board’s regular meeting March 9.
An engineering firm has been contacted about assessing two bridges on Rock Creek Road and one on Boardtown Road near Whitepath Road to determine what repairs need to be made to remove the current weight limits in place.
A total of $2 million was set aside for the bridges and for repairs and upgrades to be made to the fire station on Yukon Road.
Commissioners agreed to more discussions about the needs of fire stations around Gilmer County over the next several years.
An additional $3.875 million will go toward the paving of roads. A large addition to the revised plan is the paving of Yukon Road.
During discussions, commissioners debated whether to widen the road while paving, but decided to just pave the road.
“I just think we need something quick on Yukon Road,” said Paris.
Yukon is one of four roads to be paved with asphalt. Another 21 will receive tar and chip paving. These are in addition to 20 other roads the county was already paving through local and state funding.
For a courthouse annex, $2 million was added to a $1 million already funded in this year’s budget.
Commissioners agreed to hire an architect firm to look at the county’s needs and offer some ideas for building.
Another $100,000 was put in the plan for Parks and Recreation. A study and evaluation of the county’s needs and facilities will be performed. Once this is complete, commissioners will have a better handle on what the needs are for the department.
Workforce housing was included in the plan with no funding, but with the understanding the commissioners will continue to look at solutions.
A final $25,000 was set aside for the creation of an elections board.
Commissioners voted unanimously to submit local legislation to the county’s state delegation for the creation of a board for Gilmer County. The legislation is set to take effect Jan. 1, 2024.
Probate Judge Scott Chastain’s duties as election supervisor would be taken over by the board.
Under the legislation, Gilmer County commissioners appoint the five-member board. It mirrors a similar bill being filed by Screven County with one exception, Gilmer’s legislation requires at least one member must be a Republican and one must be a Democrat. The remaining three can be appointed from either political party.
Paris said he did not want an elections board but preferred creating his own before the legislature forced the county through general legislation.
Legislation to create county boards throughout the state failed this year in the legislature. The bill would have required two members from either party.
“As I was indicating earlier, I just don’t think that is fair in a county that is 85 percent Republican,” Paris said.
Total funding approved for the supplemental plan is $9 million, with $8 million coming from the general fund. This leaves a $7.3 million fund balance.
In other business
﹣ Gilmer County Director of Public Works Ryan Steingruber told commissioners the bid has been awarded for the Lower Cartecay Bridge. Construction could begin this summer.
﹣ Construction of the Gilmer County pool has begun and is ongoing, said Paris.
﹣ Stop signs for all directions at the intersection of Ellington Road and Forestry Hills Drive were requested by the residents of Forestry Hills. Commissioners approved the new three-way stop.