Commissioners approve several road projects

The Houston County Board of Commissioners met Tuesday afternoon in the jury assembly room of the Houston County Superior Courthouse. Chairman Tommy Stalnaker said the board is continuing to meet there to abide by social distancing guidelines. Both June meetings will be held there as well.

At the meeting Tuesday, Commissioners approved several business items such as ones that require road closures. Houston County Public Works staff is requesting the temporary 90-closure of Moss Oaks Road at the Big Indian Creek Bridge to allow for replacement of the existing bridge. The contractor is Reeves Construction Company. Commissioners approved the temporary closure. Commissioner Jay Walker said the closure is planned to start on June 15, 2020, and detour plans will be announced prior to the closing.

Bids were solicited for the Tidwell Road Emergency Culvert Replacement project with four contractors submitting. Walker said the work requires the closure of Tidwell Road for one week with a detour. Commissioners approved the award of the project to LeClay Construction of Perry in the amount of $52,943.12. Walker said there would be a public announcement prior to the one-week road closure.

At the November 5, 2019 meeting, the commissioners approved an agreement with Luster National for right-of-way acquisition services on the Elberta Road widening project per task order number 001, which was a six-month term. The task order has expired, and Public Works staff has requested approval of task order 002 at the existing rates of compensation for another six months. Under task order 001, $52,214.79 was spent in contract fees with 60% of the property deeds either in process or having been completed. Commissioners approved Stalnaker to sign task order 002.

Commissioners also approved the following appointments to the Library Board: Nicole Rosser, George F. Nunn and Shannon McNeal. Each appointment will start July 1, 2020, and the terms will expire June 30, 2024. Lieutenant Brian Blanton of the Houston County Sheriff’s Office was appointed to the Middle Flit Behavioral Healthcare Community Service Board. Blanton’s term went into effect May 19, 2020 and will expire October 15, 2022.

The Department of Justice, through their Bureau of Justice Assistance, has made available federal funds from the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding (CESF) Program that allows local governments to be reimbursed for a broad range of activities, supplies and equipment to prevent, prepare for and respond to the coronavirus. Houston County was notified it was eligible for $58,008 under the grant program. Stalnaker said he is grateful to accept the grant.

“The county, however, has expended that much and more in its efforts to responsibly ensure the safety of our citizens and employees,” Stalnaker said.

Stalnaker concluded the meeting by sharing that they are in the process of scheduling hearings for the 2021 fiscal year budget. He said this year’s budget is anticipated to be difficult due to the possibility of revenues decreasing due to the pandemic. A public announcement will be issued once dates have been set, Stalnaker said.

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