Commissioners approve water rights

JASPER, Ga. – The Pickens County Board of Commissioners met Thursday, May 17, with a full slate on the agenda.

After an opening prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, Commission Chair Robert Jones called the meeting to order. The financial report was read by Faye Harvey outlining where each department stood in the spending of the 2018 fiscal year budget.

In old business, the board heard the reading of bids submitted by multiple paving contractors.  These bids ranged from almost $1.9 million up to $2.6 million.  Coming at $1,896,922.50 was Johnson Paving Company.  In a unanimous vote, the board accepted and approved the contract bid and awarded Johnson Paving the road paving contract for the fiscal year 2019.

In new business, the commissioners approved and welcomed the contract for the new County Extension agent.  Christina Garner, who started May 1, 2018, comes with a degree from the University of Georgia and experience in working with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other agencies.  Garner will also head up the local 4-H program in Pickens.

The board also approved the rezoning of 8.89 acres located at 258 Allies Way.  The property will move from Agricultural zoning to Rural Residential.  This approval comes on recommendation from the planning director and the Planning Commission.

A new mutual water purchase agreement has been approved as well.  This agreement will allow the county to purchase water from Gilmer, if needed, at a price of $1.74 per 1000 gallons.

In further business, the commission discussed the advantages of two contracts with the Grandview Lake Company.  In the first contract, the sale of water rights, which would allow for the county to obtain a reservoir and an additional storage tank for water, will allow that up to 33,000 gallons a day may be pumped out for use by the county.  A second contract gives the Grandview Lake Company easement rights to install new lines in the county to transport the water.  Both contracts were approved and signed by Robert Jones in presence of the county attorney.

In general business, the board signed the National Foster Care Proclamation and approved four new trustees for the library.  Winship Durrett, LeAnn Spiva, Susan White and Nancy Hammer will serve in fiscal year 2019.

A vendor contract was approved for the Pepsi Corporation to provide the services for the Courthouse and Parks and Recreation departments as well.