Pickens County continued an agreement with Dawson County, allowing for mutual aid in case of a fire in the area of Monument Road.

This mutual aid agreement has been in place for several years, according to Rob Jones, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners.

“It was Dawson County Number Eight,” said Jones. “Now is Pickens County 10.”

Pickens County Fire Station 10, located on Monument Road provides services to both Pickens and Dawson counties.

Pickens initially leased the land and built the station, while Dawson County provided the fire truck. Both counties funded training for the volunteer fire fighters.

Passing lane update

The board also signed a utility aid contract with the state to move a waterline on State Highway 53 to allow for the creation of a passing lane.

Pickens County will pay $117,100 or 10-percent of the $1.171 million dollar project which will add a passing lane between Tate and Marble Hill.

“There will be a passing lane around Yellow Creek,” Jones said.

Budget numbers

Pickens County also came in 1.5 percent under budget for December according to a report given by Faye Harvey, finance director for the county.

The county spent $27,839,268 or 98.59 percent of the projected a budget of $28,238,243.

In other board news:

The board approved a cell tower application from Southern Link, which will be on McClain Mountain Road. The tower will provide coverage for part of State Highway 53 that currently does not have coverage.

The Tax Assessors also met Thursday. See what they discussed here.