County discusses paving projects

Commissioners received bids to review for paving projects and for the sheriff’s training facility during their April 25 meeting. The sealed bids were opened at the meeting, but no decision was made until all the elements of the bid can be considered. Bids for the sheriff’s new multi-purpose training facility included a $113,600 bid by Stone and Sons Construction of Molena, a $149,145 bid by UWS Construction Group of Buford and a $197,193 bid by McElroy Inc. of Zebulon. Bids for 2017 LMIG road projects were $481,320 by CW Matthews and $506,241 by Blount Construction. Road work and projects were a major discussion point of the meeting and it was noted that work has begun on Jonathans Roost Road and should be completed within a month, weather permitting. County manager John Hanson also addressed the board about Hollonville, Zebulon and Concord roads to consider lowering the speed limit and designation a portion of those roads as a school zone. He said one concern is after the Georgia Department of Transportation completed their study, they recommended no change in the speed limit and the county may lose radar capabilities in those areas if they do lower the speed limit. County attorney Rob Morton recommended approving the changes as a first reading so they can adopt an ordinance in conjunction with designating a school zone and setting a speed limit. County attorney Morton also said he believes the changes would not impact the radar license for the areas. County manager Hanson said the city of Williamson has requested that the county help with widening a portion of Williamson-Zebulon Road beginning at County Farm Road to the city limits of Williamson. He noted that it is the most traveled road in the county and hopes the county can work with the city to improve the road. He said Williamson council members will apply for an LMIG gran to help with the cost of the improvements and he hopes the GDOT approves the project. The county also:’¢ Changed insurance brokerage services to BB&T to possibly lower the cost of health insurance for county employees. ’¢ Requested that citizens honor fallen WWII hero Lt. Robert Eugene Oxford of Concord by lining Highway 19 north of Moody-Daniel Funeral Home on June 8 as his remains are brought back home after they were recovered from a crash site in the Himalayan Mountains. Citizens were asked to line Highway 19 from the funeral home to Concord on June 11 as his remains are taken to Magnolia Cemetery in Concord for burial. ’¢ Allowed the county manager and county attorney to move forward with investigating the possibility of a referendum to allow for package sales in the county after a request from a local business interested in opening a package store. The issue was not approved but will be brought back at a future meeting.’¢ Approved a tax refund application from Vannie Holt for $363.’¢ Approved the second reading of the credit card policy.’¢ Heard that Jimmy Totten was involved in a motorcycle accident and asked for prayers for him.