Board of Commissioners Voting Tonight on BOR Lease, Redrawing of Legislative Districts

The Paulding County Board of Commissioners held its morning work session today prior to the regular meeting at 7 p.m. The board will vote tonight on a few agenda items during its final regular meeting for May, including a special use permit application .

The board also held a special called meeting today to discuss budget issues. Chairman David Austin said the purpose of the meeting is to look for ways to trim $3 million from the budget.

Prior to the new business agenda, the BOC recognized Kathy Stallard as employee of the month. Stallard is senior pre-construction engineer with the Pre-Construction Division of the Department of Transportation.

The board then presented the Public Safety Appreciation Award to Samantha Morris, lead communications officer with E-911 Communications Center. Morris, who is herself expecting, was recognized for her exemplary handling of a 911 call in connection with a woman about to give birth and in need of
emergency care.

Two county departments addressed the board during the morning session.

Parks and Recreation Director Michael Justus told the board that the newest program guide is now available outlining park activities countywide. Burnt Hickory opened early this year will open its playing fields and walking trails next month, Justus said. White Oak Park is booked through most of the summer and park usage overall is high, Justus said.

Water System Director Michael Carter said water restrictions still function on the odd-even schedule, but this does not apply to landscaping, he said. Businesses are currently exempt from restrictions, Carter said, and added that more detailed information regarding current water policies can be obtained at the
county’s website, or by calling the Water Department. 

The board will decide also whether or not to award the lowest responsive bidder, Plateau Excavation Inc., in the amount of $1,531,655.80 for the project to repair the Silver Comet Trail at Weddington Road. The location has been in need of repair since the flood event in 2009. The project is to be paid for mostly through federal reimbursements as the work is completed, with the county picking up about 15 percent of the overall repair cost, according to Community Development Director Chuck Rann, who provided background on the project to the board.

The BOC will vote on three agenda items including:

• A proposed leasing arrangement with the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia for a portion of the historic courthouse in Dallas. Terms of an agreement were not set and would be determined later in further discussions with Georgia Highlands College, according to County Attorney Jayson Phillips. The leasing agreement would be initially for a two-year period, said Phillips, and the space would undergo some renovation. An extension of five more two-year
  leases could be negotiated, he added. Currently the building houses the Genealogical Society and the Fine Arts Association of Paulding County.
• The board would also vote their support of the creation and redrawing of state legislative districts contained wholly or largely within the borders of Paulding County.
• The board will also vote on whether or not to confirm Austin’s nomination of Cherry Westbrook to the position of library coordinator.

That was the conclusion of the morning session’s regular business and there were no citizens wishing to speak. The board met for a special called budget meeting at 4 p.m. and will return to vote on the above agenda items at 7 p.m.