Gilmer County leaders are looking for an alternative for the two bridge replacements on Rock Creek Road.
Commissioners heard about the bridges, received an update on county pool construction and discussed possible changes to the farm winery ordinance at a work session Oct. 5.
“I was hoping you wouldn’t bring that up, sir,” Gilmer County Public Works Director Ryan Steingruber joked when asked about the issue by Post Commissioner Hubert Parker.
Two bridges on Rock Creek were made a priority by the county for repairs at the board’s May meetings.
A solution was thought to be using pre-made box culverts to replace the bridges.
“The box culverts came in at a minor $168,000, but for the installation, it came in at $1.2 million,” said Steingruber. “So, we are looking at some other avenues.”
One option is a low maintenance bridge installation program with the Georgia Department of Transportation. He said it sounds like Gilmer County may qualify for the program.
Another option is repairing the existing bridges to the specifications of the state inspectors.
“That $1.2 million kind of took us by surprise,” said Gilmer County Chair Charlie Paris.
Swimming pool
Commissioners were told the bid package for the county swimming pool is in place and ready to be advertised.
County Attorney David Clark said the bid specifications have a completion date of May 2023.
Farm wineries
Commissioners requested Clark to review the county’s farm winery ordinance which currently allows only one tasting room on the winery property.
This follows a request by a winery which built an event center but cannot allow tastings because only one tasting room is allowed on the property.
“My recommendation was to just strike that,” said Clark.
He said state statute does not limit the number of tasting rooms on the property.
Commissioners will have to vote on the change following the review.