Hwy. 53 bridge over Lake Lanier opens Thursday
News August 1, 2018
GAINESVILLE- The newly constructed State Route 53 bridge over Lake Lanier will be opened to traffic at 11 a.m Thursday (Aug. 2).
Construction partners with Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) will shift traffic over to the new bridge and approaches and close access to the former lanes of the green truss bridge.
DOT officials ask drivers to be alert as workers will be in the lanes and directing traffic. This shift could be postponed if rainy weather interferes.
Opening the new bridge to traffic doesn’t mean work is complete. Final asphalt topping is still required along with additional grading to each side of the new approaches. The completion date for this project is March 2019, which includes time for the demolition of the former structure.
This project was awarded to Scott Bridge Company Inc. in March of 2016 and has a construction contract amount of $19.7 million.
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GDOT officials answer questions about roundabout planned for Dawson Forest Rd. and State Route 9
News May 16, 2018
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Those who attended the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) public information session at Riverview Elementary School Tuesday came away with a better understanding of the purpose of the proposed double roundabouts at the intersection of State Route 9 and Dawson Forest Road.
GDOT officials were on hand to answer questions and listen to suggestions. They also handed out packets that contained a comment card so additional comments could submitted.
Those who could not attend the meeting can still provide comments online until May 30 at www.dot.ga.gov/PS/Public/PublicOutreach. Additionally, questions can be directed to Heidi Schneider at HSchneider@dit,ga.gov or by calling 68-518-3677.
GDOT officials say the purpose of the project is to enhance traffic operations and reduce crash frequency. It is based on a feasibility study that determined two, single-lane roundabouts are the most favorable intersection control alternative.
The total length of the project is approximately six tenths of a mile. The two roundabouts will be constructed independent of each other. They would consist of 140-foot diameter, 20-foot circulating lane, a 15-foot wide truck apron and 70-foot diameter center island. Curb and gutter would be installed along the outside of the roundabouts with a mountable curb along the inside for the truck apron.
The project is approximately one-quarter mile from Riverview Elementary and 700-feet from Dawson County Fire Station 7.
Northeast District Communications Director Katie Strickland said the project will be let in July 2019 and is expected to take 18-24 months to complete.
County Commissioners Julie Nix attended the meeting and said she enthusiastically supports the project.
“I’m excited about it. This will make it so much safer for everyone. Riverview was built in 2010 and we started hearing from parents of students in 2011 about how dangerous that intersection is. It has taken a long time to move it forward, but when (State Rep.) Kevin Tanner was elected, he was able to get the project fast tracked.”
Fire Chief/EMA Director Danny Thompson said he supports the project but does have some concern about the congestion that could be created in front of the fire station in the morning when school buses and parents are dropping off students at Riverview and in the afternoon when they pick them up.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Dawson commissioners receive SPLOST VI update
News January 25, 2018
Public Works Director David McKee
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – The Dawson County Board of Commissioners received an update on Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) VI collections from Public Works Director David McKee during a rare Tuesday work session.
SPLOST VI was initiated in 2015 and will run through 2021. Collections were expected to reach $46 million in six years. To date, Dawson County collections are $15,067,286. The city of Dawsonville receives 15 percent of collections and the county receives the balance.
Approximately 11 percent of collections are allocated to sheriff’s vehicles, 11 percent to Fire and EMS, 10 percent to Parks and Recreation, 67 percent to Public Works and 1 percent to Information Technology (IT).
McKee said a total of $11,565,649 in projects have been completed with $5,650,000 in proposed projects planned for Phase 3.
Public Defender Brad Morris requested funding for the salaries and expenses for personnel in the Public Defender’s office.
Dawson County has had a contract with the Georgia Public Defenders Council since 2005 to provide one attorney and one administrative assistant. The expenses covered by this contract ($183,738.65) were approved in the 2018 budget. The contract renews the agreement through Dec. 31.
A second request by Morris for $71,257 is required to cover half the salaries of an assistant public defender and an investigator. The other half is covered by Hall County, which is also served by the office.
Commissioners approved the repaving of the roadway of the Veterans Memorial Park and Senior Services and parking lot for the Veterans Memorial Park with SPLOST V and VI funds. The county has received two bids for the project and Parks and Recreation Director Lisa Henson asked commissioners to approve the low bid of Blount Construction Company in the amount of $599,141.
Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has programmed the state Route 183 bridge over Cochrans Creek for replacement during the first quarter of 2020. The closure of the road during construction, which is expected to be for a period of six months to one year, will require all traffic to be detoured. GDOT has identified the most beneficial detour to be Keith Evans Road, a county maintained road. McKee asked commissioners to approve the use of Keith Evans Road as the detour route.
Issues discussed during work sessions are expected to be voted on at the next voting session of the Board of Commissioners.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
County Millage Rate Hearing is Thursday
News August 9, 2017
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – The Dawson County Board of Commissioners will hold the first of three public hearings on the proposed FY 2018 budget and the millage rate Thursday at 4 p.m.
The board intends to leave the current millage rate of 8.138 unchanged, which would increase the 2017 property taxes it will levy this year by 4.45% over the rollback millage rate.
The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $250,000 is approximately $34.70 and the proposed tax increase for non-homestead property with a fair market value of $200,000 is approximately $27.76.
Additional public hearings are scheduled for Aug. 17 at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Citizens are invited to attend and comment.
Other items on Thursday’s agenda include a request by Director of Emergency Services Lanier Swafford for commissioners to consider accepting a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in the amount of $960,305. The county would be required to provide a match of $596,947.
The grant would help cover the cost of salary and benefits for personnel for three years. The other cost the county would incur would be for uniforms and gear (approximately $2,500.00 per employee per year).
The grant is for three years. At the end of the three years, the grant offers three options – employing agency assumes responsibility of the cost; apply for a hardship extension to the grant if local funding is limited; termination without penalty.
Director of Public Services David McKee will provide an update on the closure of Blacks Mill. The Georgia Department of Transportation declared the bridge unsafe for vehicular traffic and ordered it closed on July 18. McKee will ask the board to consider allowing his staff to continue working with GDOT on one of its bridge maintenance assistant programs.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Georgia DOT Continues Cable Rail Repair Along I-575 in Cherokee
Press Release October 3, 2017
Georgia DOT Continues Cable Rail Repair along I-575 in Canton, GA
CANTON Ga. – A Georgia DOT Maintenance crew resumes today its work on repairing the cable rail along Interstate 575 in Cherokee County. Work will proceed daily between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., weather permitting.
It is Georgia DOT position that guardrail and cable rail maintenance and repair are essential to keeping our roadways safe for the traveling public. Our maintenance workers do their best to keep track of the damage to guard/cable rails and make repairs as quickly as possible in order to preserve road safety.
Each day, hundreds of Georgia Department of Transportation employees and contractors work on dozens of highway, bridge and intersection improvements throughout the state. Their work often brings them and heavy machinery in close proximity to travel lanes. Fifty-seven Georgia DOT personnel and many more motorists, passengers and contractors’ workers have been killed in highway work zone accidents since 1973. Please help us prevent these tragedies by slowing down; being especially attentive and cautious as you pass through construction work zones; and always driving responsibly. Safer Driving; Safer Work Zones; For Everyone. For information on the Department of Transportation, visit http://www.dot.ga.gov. You also may follow us on (www.facebook.com/GDOTNW) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/GDOTNW).
Commissioners Review GDOT Roundabout Proposal
News January 24, 2017
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — The Dawson County Board of Commissioners will review a proposal by the Georgia Department of Transportation to build a roundabout at SR 136 Bailey Waters/Keith Evans Road intersection during Thursday’s work session that begins at 4 p.m.
GDOT provided commissioners with three concepts for their consideration, five year crash data, and a sample “Indication of Roundabout support” letter. The only cost to the county would be the full and entire cost for any lighting installed and maintenance thereof plus maintenance costs associated with the landscaping approved by local government. and GDOT.
Commissioners will also consider a bad debt write off and collections policy that will allow the county to to manage the amount of bad debt accrued primarily for outstanding ambulance billing past due accounts.
The purchasing department submitted and RFP, received several proposals and interviewed three collections agencies.
Staff will recommend the Board award he bid to Professional Recovery Consultants which scored the highest of the applicants. Professional Recovery Consultants would charge a flat fee of 25 percent of all collections.
County fees at the transfer station have remained the same since March 2013. On Jan. 1, Eagle Point Landfill increased its tipping fee to the county by 5 percent. Commissioners will discuss increasing fees to $44 per ton and a minimum of $5 per load weighed. Bagged garbage will remain the same at 50 cents per bag with a 10 bag limit. Any garbage over 10 bags shall be weighed.
Commissioners to Discuss Drug Treatment Services Grant at Thursday Work Session
News March 8, 2017DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — The Dawson County Board of Commissioners will consider a request to allow Drug Treatment Services to apply for a state grant in the amount of $279,514 when they meet in a work session Thursday at 4 p.m. in the Government Center Assembly Room.
Treatment Services Director Debbie Mott says in fiscal year 2018, the county plans to bring HELP Program under Treatment Court as a mental health court track and would like to make one application for state funding. A match of $31,057 would be required from county funds.
The enhanced funding would be used to continue three counselor positions, to attend the state conference, to employ surveillance officers for home visits and drug screen collection, drug testing and supplies, and a desktop and iPad.
Public Works Director David McKee will ask the Board for a letter of support addressed to the Georgia Department of Transportation to install access controls at the intersections of Kilough Church road and SR 400, and the west side of the intersection of the North Georgia Premium Outlets and Home Depot/Walmart intersection. All improvements will be made within the existing Right of Way, and the work will be completed and fully funded by GDOT or their contractors.
GDOT has a grant available for counties to fund unforeseen emergencies. Last winter’s storm damaged a wing wall off Dawson Forest Road and along Blacks Mill Creek that could qualify for the funding. McKee will ask Board Chairman Billy Thurmond to send a letter to GDOT, requesting the funding. County Staff has acquired engineering quotes and prepared cost estimates for design and construction. The total estimated cost is $180,000.
McKee also will ask the Board for authorization to purchase a side arm mower and utility tractor mower utilizing a state contract to replace two Kubota tractors and a John Deer side arm mower. Total cost for the equipment is $210,000 and, if approved, will be purchased with SPLOST VI proceeds.
County Attorney Lynn Frey will ask the Board to consider renewal of an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the City of Dawsonville authorizing the county to organize and implement all municipal elections. The IGA is drafted and adopted each odd year and any even year when a special election is called.
County Tax Assessor is Featured Speaker at Community Connections Workshop
News July 14, 2017
County residents gather for Community Connections Workshop at the Senior Center Thursday.
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Dawson County Tax Assessor Kurt Tangel was the featured speaker at Thursday’s Community Connections Workshop which was held at the Senior Center. Tangel, who has worked for the county the past 12 years, explained the difference in his responsibilities and those of the Tax Commissioner.
“The Tax Commissioner is the one who sends out the bills and collects the taxes,” Tangel said. “The Tax Assessor applies the value to those properties.”
Tax Assessor Kurt Tangel
The Tax Assessor does not work directly for the Board of Commissioners, but is directly responsible to the Board of Assessors, five individuals appointed by the commissioners.
This year the Board of Assessors contracted with a private company to perform a county-wide property revaluation which started in June. The company has completed about 15 percent of the data collection and is expected to complete the residential evaluation by the end of next year. Commercial and industrial revaluation won’t be complete until 2019.
Those conducting the revaluation will be in clearly-marked county vehicles to identify themselves. They are permitted to come onto the homeowner’s property, but not inside the home. If the homeowner is not home, they are supposed to leave a door hanger to let the property owner know they have been there.
“We assess the value of property based on what we know the square footage of that home to be,” Tangel said.
Tangel encourages property owners to view their assessment on the Tax Assessor’s web page and if the information is incorrect, to contact his office at any time.
Asked if the current revaluation is expected to produce any major corrections, Tangel said, “There could be some changes based on increased desirability or scarcity, but I don’t anticipate any major corrections.”
Mayor James Grogan
Dawsonville Mayor James Grogan gave a brief review of city projects. “There’s a lot of good things going on,” he said. “We’re completing a sidewalk project that will go totally around the city that should be finished by the end of the year and we’re still working on the park. We sent the paperwork to the EPD and when that comes back, well put it out for construction bids. We hope to have dirt moving on that by the end of the year.”
Grogan also pointed out there is a lot of homebuilding going on in the city. He estimated that 300-400 new homes will be built in the next 12 months.
County Manager David Headley told attendees that county representatives had met with Georgia Department of Transportation Officials earlier in the day to discuss transportation issues in the county.
County Mgr. David Headley
“We discussed the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) in our district,” Headley said. “These are federally-funded dollars that go to the state to do projects such as bridges. We talked about a truck bypass around the city. They’re looking at that, collecting data and looking at a possible alignment. We also talked about some of the roundabout projects we have going on. We talked about the CFI (continuous flow intersection). The state is looking at spending a lot of money here for obvious reasons. They don’t just do these things because they have a lot of money to spend and want to build them. They anticipate a lot of growth here.”
New Kroger Opens in Dawson County
Business, News November 17, 2016
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — The long-awaited new Kroger’s grocery store opened in Dawsonville today.
Believed to be one of the largest grocery stores in the state, the new 123,000-square foot Kroger’s is located in the new shopping mall on the south side of Ga. 400 between Whitmire and Dawson Forest Roads and features a nine-pump Kroger Fuel Center.
Store Manager Ed Loy said, “Opening day was outstanding. It was beyond all our expectations.”
Loy estimated that between opening at 6 a.m. Wednesday and closing at 1 a.m. Thursday more than 10,000 customers visited the new store.
Kroger closed its old store further north on Ga. 400 Monday and is looking for a tenant to lease it.
An expanded bistro, full line of wearing apparel, Little Clinic, expanded natural food, meat and seafood are among the features that helped draw such a large crowd.
“It’s an adventure shopping here,” Loy said.
Kroger is the first store to open in the new shopping center. Hobby Lobby, Petco, Marshall’s and Ross will soon follow.
Charlie Auvermann, executive director of the Dawson County Development Authority, has said Kroger was being wooed by other counties and it was critical to the tax base to keep them here. “We wanted the location in Dawson for the convenience it will bring to our citizens and because it will bolster our overall commercial tax base,” he said.
The Georgia Department of Transportation had to agree to reconstruct the intersection before the plan to build Kroger could move forward.
Opening of New Lane on Ga. 400 Delayed
News August 25, 2016
CUMMING — Commuters from Atlanta to Dawson, White and Lumpkin counties will have to wait a little longer for the third northbound lane of Ga. 400 to open. Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) officials, who expected to have the new lane between McFarland Parkway (Exit 12) and Peachtree Parkway (Exit 13) finished by September, now say it will be October.
The good news is they also expect to have the stretch between Peachtree Parkway and Bald Ridge Marina Road completed in October. Originally that portion of Ga. 400 was not expected to open until March.
Funding from the $47 million Georgia transportation SPLOST will pay for an additional lane on both sides of Ga. 400 from McFarland Parkway all the way to Browns Bridge Road.
One Lane of Ga. 400 Closed this Weekend
News August 13, 2016
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — It may seem a little like rush hour traffic to anyone planning to use Ga. 400 to commute into Atlanta this weekend. Georgia Department of Transportation has closed one northbound lane between McFarland Parkway/Exit 12 and Peachtree Parkway/Exit 13.
The lane was closed at 9 p.m Friday and will remain closed until noon on Monday while contractors work on widening the busy highway. GDOT officials ask that drivers reduce speeds while in the work zone as workers and heavy equipment will be near the road.
The highway is currently being widened on each side, and the northbound lane to Exit 13 is expected to open by September.
Commissioners Say No to Hike in Pay for Public Defender’s Office
News June 17, 2016
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — The Dawson County Board of Commissioners unanimously rejected a request by H. Bradford Morris of the Public Defender’s Office to increase the supplement paid to a recently hired attorney in that office by $12,000, bringing the annual compensation package to $72,000.
Morris said the typical attorney in that position earns $85,000 annually. He also said attorney’s hired in that office are young, law school graduates who do not stay very long.
Commissioners unanimously approved:
ZA 16-02 Dawson Forest Developer, LLC for a Special Use Permit on behalf of PetSmart, Land Use Resolution, Article IV, Section 121-101.d for proposed use. The property is located at Ga. 400 and Dawson Forest Road and is currently zoned Commercial Planned Comprehensive Development;
A request to purchase three county vehicles to replace three vehicles that have exceeded 100,000 miles or 10 years from Jacky Jones Ford in Cleveland, Ga. The purchase price for two Ford vehicles is $49,425 and one Dodge is $28,000.
The FY ’17 contract with Legacy Link Area Agency on Aging that begins July 1, 2016 in the amount of $120,174;
The SR 400/SR 53 Street Lighting Agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation to install 33 LED light poles on SR 400 from Beartooth Parkway to the Chamber of Commerce office. GDOT will provide the materials and installation. The county will provide repair and maintenance and pay for the energy usage of the lighting system, estimated to be about $400 per month beginning Jan. 2017.
The gift to the county of Hidden Horizons Subdivision Lot 33 for a drainage easement from Linda Youngman;
The appointment of Tom Harter to the Dawson County Library Board of Trustees, Joan Gilleland to the Department of Family and Children’s Services and Lori Grant tot he Board of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities;
Public Defender Office Requests Additional Salary Supplement
News June 10, 2016
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — The Dawson County Board of Commissioner is considering a request to increase its share of the salary supplement for an attorney in the Public Defender’s office by $12,000 annually.
H. Bradford Morris made he request during Thursday’s work session. The current salary is $60,000 , part of which is paid by Hall County. The $12,000 supplement would bring the total to $72,000.
The work session included a presentation by Purchasing Director Davida Simpson explaining that five county vehicles have met or exceeded the county’s Vehicle Replacement Policy which targets vehicles older than 10 years or which have exceeded 100,000 miles to be replaced. Staff requested replacement bids on five but only three bid requests were responsive. Staff recommend the three responsive bids be awarded to Jacky Jones Ford in Cleveland, Ga. The bid for two Fords is $$49,425. The bid for one Dodge is $28,000.
Commissioners discussed approval of FY17 Legacy Link Area Agency on Aging Nutrition Program Contract The expenses for the 2017 budget from Jan. 1 to June 30, 2017 will be $48,755 from federal/state funds and $120,174 from a county match.
There was also a lengthy discussion of a SR400/SR 53 street lighting agreement.
The Georgia Department of Transportation is constructing a continuous flow intersection at SR 400/SR 53 utilizing federal funds. Utilization of federal funds requires the project to be designed to meet Federal Highway Standards. Previous lighting plans submitted by county staff have been altered in an attempt to cut energy and maintenance cost. The agreement is only for the SR 400 mainline overhead lighting from Beartooth Parkway to the Chamber of Commerce office.
GDOT has submitted an agreement to the county to install 33 LED light poles on SR 400 from Beartooth Parkway to the Chamber of Commerce office. GDOT will provide the materials and installation. The county will provide repair and maintenance and pay for the energy usage of the lighting system upon completion which is expected to later this year. Staff anticipates monthly energy costs to be approximately $400 for the 33 poles or about $4,800 per year beginning January 2017. Staff further anticipates an annual budget of $2,000 for property repairs and maintenance of the structures.
The Board also heard a recommendation from County Attorney Joey Homans to accept a request by Linda Youngman that the county accept the gift of Lot 33 in Hidden horizons Subdivision to use as a drainage easement.
Finally, commissioners considering the appointment of Tom Harter to the Dawson County Library Board of Trustees, Joan Gilleland to the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) and Lori Grant to the Board of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities.
These items are expected to be voted on during the regular voting session next Thursday.