Newspaper Page Text
Page 4 October 15, 2023 StarNews www.starnewsgaonline.com
County Solid Waste to receive their own excavator
after destroying the one on loan from Public Works
New excavator is an unbudgeted item: $180,601 to be withdrawn from reserve
The excavator Solid Waste destroyed “might be good to sell for scrap”
story by Janice Daniel
The Carroll County Board of Commissioners
met for their monthly work session on
Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.
The full board was present.
In March, StarNews reported on the
destruction of a Public Works Department
excavator by an employee of the Solid Waste
Department due to not following specific
instructions that had been given for proper use.
Public Works purchased a new excavator in
February at the cost of $201,318 from Central
Atlanta Tractor Sales, 4240 T1 ^ . .
Theron Gay, a paid
MLK Jr Drive SW, Altanta, to
replace the one rendered
useless.
During this September 28th
commission work session,
Jacqueline Dost, Solid Waste
director, requested and
received approval from the
board to add to the Consent
Agenda (all agenda items to be
decided with one vote at the
following October 3rd regular
meeting) the purchase of a
2023 Sany Model 225
Excavator exclusively for the
transfer station in the amount
of $180,601. It will also be
purchased from Central
Atlanta Tractor Sales, Atlanta.
This new piece of heavy
equipment was not budgeted
in the FY23/24 Budget that began July 1st. But,
Dost informed the board that she already
checked with the finance director and there are
ample funds to spend from the Solid Waste
Reserve Account to purchase the new
excavator.
In summary, county taxpayers purchased two
excavators to replace the one destroyed so Solid
Waste could have their own at a total cost of
$328,919. It is not known if any Solid Waste
employees will be required to attend heavy
equipment operation training
(West Georgia Technical
College offers “Diesel
Equipment Technology
classes).
Theron Gay, a paid $100
per-hour county consultant
(during 2021-2022, Gay was
paid $19,850.00 by Carroll
County taxpayers) was there
to present consideration of
issuance of three requests for
proposals for the Court
House for 1) finishing the 5th
floor and associated
improvements, 2)
information technology and
audiovisual systems, and 3)
security systems, including cameras.
Gay told the board that the designs and plans
are almost finished and he is getting ready to
issue RFPs for the build-out. He has a list of 10
items for the project, and a list of items to be
added on in order of priority and still remain
within budget. He stated he hopes to have the
bids ready for consideration by the board by the
November work session.
There will be a bid bond, a performance
bond, and a material bond included, and the
county will keep a 5% retainer on invoices
presented until each phase is declared to be
finished correctly by a representative of the
county with extensive knowledge of the
construction process.
District 2 Commissioner Clint Chance asked
if the IT equipment the judges have received
technical grants for will be compatible with the
sheriff’s office and administration. He was
assured by the IT Director that his department
has kept updating IT to keep it current and
compatible so that all systems work together.
District 3 Commissioner Tommy Lee asked
if Gay could have the drawings sent to the
commissioners before the meeting scheduled
for October 3rd? Gay said yes, and that he will
have the RFP packages ready
by the second week in
October.
Consent Agenda was
prepared as follows:
1. Ben Skipper,
Community Development
Director, reported that the
Comprehensive Plan
presented to the Georgia
Department of Community
Affairs was approved by that
group and is now an official
document.
2. Jacqueline Dost, Solid
Waste Director, presented a
consideration for the purchase
of a 2023 Sany Model 225
Excavator for the transfer
station, $180,601, from
Central Atlanta Tractor Sales.
The excavator is guaranteed
to be delivered in less than 30 days, has a 5-
year/5,000-hour warranty. Dost also advised the
board that the county already has familiarity
with this brand as well as a diagnostic computer
to identify problems that may arise after the
warranty expires. District 4 Commissioner
Steve Fuller asked if anything could be
salvaged off the old excavator? Dost replied, “It
might be good to sell for scrap.”
3. Approval of an ACCG Mental Health
Resolution where every county in Georgia is
urging the Governor and
General Assembly to continue
efforts to reform and improve
mental health services in the
state. Despite some successes,
the commissioners agreed that
there is still a tremendous
. . amount of work to be done for
$328,919. It is not known if a \\ citizens across Georgia to
$100 per-hour county
consultant (during 2021-
2022, Gay was paid
$19,850.00 by Carroll
County taxpayers) was
there to present
consideration of issuance
of three requests for
proposals for the Court
House for 1) finishing the
5th floor and associated
improvements, 2)
information technology
and audiovisual systems,
and 3) security systems,
including cameras.
In summary, county
taxpayers purchased two
excavators to replace the
one destroyed so Solid
Waste could have their
own at a total cost of
any Solid Waste
employees will be required
to attend heavy equipment
operation training (West
Georgia Technical College
offers “Diesel Equipment
Technology classes).
RE-ELECT
VOTE
November 7 th
BETTY CASON
MAYOR
CITY OF CARROLLTON
VOTE FOR COMMITMENT, LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Mayor Cason’s passion is helping people and serving the community. She has served in
leadership positions in many organizations with a purpose of helping others. She was a founding
member of the Carroll County Mental Health Advocacy Program and has served as president of
the Georgia Municipal Clerks and Finance Officers Association and Georgia Council of Probate
Judges. Betty has served on the boards of directors of the Georgia Municipal Association and
the Judicial CouncO of Georgia and was vice-chair of Carroll County Family Connection. She has
been chair of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Academy and Strategic
Planning Committee, and the Carroll County Mental Health Advocacy Board.
She is a certified municipal clerk, certified municipal finance officer, certified probate court judge and an
economic development finance specialist.
Paid for the Committee to Re-Elect Betty Cason
receive adequate care for
mental health and substance
abuse disorders.
The Carroll County Board
of Commissioners specifically
urges the Government of
Georgia to enhance Georgia
Citizens’ access to vital mental
health services, including the
provision of state budgetary funding for
additional behavioral health crisis centers
across the state, additional co-responder units,
and other resources to assist those with mental
health/substance abuse issues. Resolution will
be sent to the Legislature currently in their 2024
session. A study by Forbes in 2022 reported
that Georgia has the fourth worst mental health
care availability in the United States.
Chairman Michelle Morgan advised the
board that a new agenda item will be added for
the following Tuesday, October 3rd meeting:
nominations for the AG Advisory Committee.
With no further business to attend, the work
session was adjourned.
Leslie McPherson For Mayor of Villa Rica
Early Voting begins October 16th
Election Day is Tuesday, November 7th
*Former Member of City Council 2014-2023
*Lower Property Taxes
*Build a Thriving Downtown
* Be the Voice of All the People at City Hall
* 4 Generations of My Family Live in Villa Rica
* Work with Integrity & Accountability to God and the Citizens of Villa Rica
"lam committed to doing everything in my power
to raise our quality of life, reduce our property tax
burden, and welcome new businesses to create a
thriving downtown!"
LeslieEmcpherson@outlook.com
Facebook: Leslie McPherson for Mayor
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