DAWSONVILLE, Ga. –The Dawson County Board of Commissioners will honor Dawson County native and stock car racing legend Raymond Parks at Thursday’s meeting. The commissioners will declare Jan. 20 as Raymond Parks Day.

Parks began his career as a stock-car owner in 1938 with drivers Lloyd Seay and Roy Hall and dominated the sport into the late 1940s and early 1950s. He owned the car that won the first NASCAR title in 1948 and the first premier series title in 1949. His team produced two premier series wins, two poles, 11 top fives and 12 top 10s in 18 events. On Friday, January 20, Parks will be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Commissioners will also hold the first of public hearings on a request by the Purchasing Department to update the county’s purchasing policy.

Purchasing is requesting to change the policy that required county commission approval and two public hearings for any departmental purchase of $15,000 or more. The new policy, if approved, would increase the level of purchase to $25,000.

The Board will also vote on a request by Perry Betterton to rezone 2 acres from RSRMM (Residential Sub-Rural Manufactured/Moved) to RMF (Residential Multi-Family) for an existing duplex.

Under New Business, the Board will consider:

An Intergovernmental Agreement with Hall County for the Public Defender’s Office;

The 2017 State Contract for the Public Defender’s Office;

The 2017 Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant;

Appointment of vice chairman for the Board of Commissioners;

Reappointment of the County Clerk;

Consideration of Georgia Transmission Corporation (GTC) Easement;

Appointments of Mike Ball to the Industrial Building Authority Board.