Commissioners Reject Revision to IGA

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — Amid groans of disapproval from area stakeholders, Dawson County Commissioners voted against a revised intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Etowah Water and Sewer Authority that would have resulted in water main replacement, a water line extension program and installation of fire hydrants in a currently under served area of the county.

The Board approved the IGA on April 7 which called for a 5-year term and a cost of $3,500 per hydrant during the initial construction phase and $4,500 for any fire hydrant installed after construction had been completed. Five days later, EWSA approved a revision of the IGA asking for a 25-year commitment plus $5,000 per hydrant during initial construction and $6,000 per hydrant following construction.

Dick McNeil, who said he represented affected homeowners, spoke in favor of the revision during the public comment period. McNeil said the agreement would provide high quality fire protection system for residents, properly equipped fire stations, adequate water pressure and the proper number of fire hydrants at the proper locations. “Our community has a definite need,” McNeil said.

The Board also approved:

An electronic cigarette ordinance;

The vacant and burned structure ordinance;

A revised IT server agreement with Dell Marketing in the amount of $226,879.47 with a contingency of $23,120.53;

Additional funds in the amount of $5,045 to cover Juvenile Court Reporter expenses;

An budget amendment for the Children and Family Services in amount of $4,000 for one half the budget year to fund supplements to four recently filled state–paid positions;

An invitation to bid on Shoal Creek Parcel to grow crops;

The bid from Peach State Ambulance for the purchase of three ambulances in the amount of $640,445;

The bid from Townley Construction of Dawsonville for heavy equipment, paving equipment and tractor and mower maintenance equipment at a rate of $114 per hour in the shop and $130 per hour in the field;

A bid from Athletic Construction for rehabilitation of the county’s athletic fields in the amount of $121,190;

A traffic signal request for Hwy. 53 and the driveway at CVS Pharmacy and

A bid from Bobcat of Gwinnett /Bobcat of Atlanta for the purchase of one rubber track skid loader in the amount of $55,561.06.