Two big-ticket items on county commission agenda Thursday

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – The construction of a new Fleet Maintenance-Public Works Complex and the purchase of two fire engines are the big ticket items on the Dawson County Board of Commissioners agenda Thursday (Feb. 28) at 4 p.m. in the Government Center Assembly Room.

Commissioners will consider a request to accept the bid of Charles Black Construction Company for $3,289,777 for design and construction of the complex. During the Fiscal Year 2018 budget process, the Board approved $2,500,000 from the SPLOST VI tax revenue to be spent on the project. But soaring material and labor construction costs and insufficient water flow are the reason for major cost increases over the initial bid amount.

Emergency Services Director Danny Thompson will present a request to purchase two Pierce Saber pumper trucks at a cost of $1,301,038. Thompson said the fire engine at Station 3 is 22 years old and in constant need of repair. The fire engine at Sweetwater Juno station also needs to be replaced.

Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Greg Rowan will ask commissioners to accept FY 2019 Violence Against Women Act Grant and a Criminal Justice Coordinating Council K9 Grant.

Treatment Services Director Debbie Mott will present the FY 2020 Council of Accountability Court Judges / Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Enhancement Grant for Dawson County Treatment Court.

Thompson also will ask commissioners to accept a Volunteer Fire Assistant Grant. This is a 50/50 grant award. It is to be used for expenses related to the purchase of equipment for local fire departments in Georgia through the Georgia Forestry Commission. The grant award is for a maximum of $5,000 with a local match of $5,000.

Other items to be considered by commissioners include:

• A presentation by Purchasing Manager Melissa Hawk of the results and budget request by Fleet Maintenance Director Shannon Harben;
• A request by Emergency Services to set a budget for mobile device tablets that were not included in the purchase of a new computer aided dispatch system;
• Presentation of 2018 Board of Commissioners’ Expenses by Accounting and Budget Manager Natalie Johnson.

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