[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6576051,"mediaKeyId","3179847-c67801a1989181191e29e3c34603048f","parentId",3179847,"title","Walker County commissioners approve contracts, grants and personnel actions in unanimous consent; key votes listed","audioSeconds",514,"startMs",3103000,"endMs",3617000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3179847-c67801a1989181191e29e3c34603048f&start=3103&end=3617","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3179847-c67801a1989181191e29e3c34603048f/thumbnail_3103000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6576051/Walker-County/Georgia/Walker-County-commissioners-approve-contracts-grants-and-personnel-actions-in-unanimous-consent-key-votes-listed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576051-c7c5c4cb1c7f013cc22e038fd600cfe5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770967400&Signature=Rd8v72WwHQpD2tBVYMG4CJGiwp9f5Tn69IEVCS~pINrnrGzTwe4fZbqz6QehZJNSOdl3eRCVO9XC9hqjwNfiWVNoEsydLNQQ4Fbs7R8cJ7fshA3k21syA~LxjzI4euaAdV56mQ9RhGCbcVk0rIlXEPa~1mn3hEkgEDOk~33qdP6WUcBVEQvATrWzuEs9P4bY5HHSSvZhaLaKUr-~w9TEpuHjiF~JRfnK9SeWHjnNnrjZrt-SPe0smoKKHfBh4tLrXAZ5X9Z07JWjwxHVTLwUvvU42bN2eWq7lmruF3lSA-usOsFoxqb16JnwCtYNRPSyw-J-8rvZLMaJDOfACzfrZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Walker County","date","2025-05-02T13:55:41.86Z","article","The Walker County Board of Commissioners voted on multiple resolutions, contracts and administrative items at its May 1 meeting. The following summarizes formal actions taken and the outcome of each vote.

Votes at a glance

- Opioid settlement disbursements (R-031-25 and R-032-25): The board approved two disbursement requests from the county’s opioid settlement funds. One request funds a recovery/reentry program managed by the Walker County Sheriff’s Office reentry program; the other request funds services through Unified Recovery Agency. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Reappointment to the Board of Assessors (R-034-25): The board reappointed Jamie Bennett to the board of assessors after training availability issues were resolved. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Road paving contract award (R-033-25): The county received four sealed bids for the 2025–2026 paving list and voted to award contracts to C.W. Matthews, identified as the lowest bidder by approximately $500,000. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Lofton Lane bridge repairs (R-035-25): The board accepted the low bid for emergency repairs to the Lofton Lane bridge (GDOT-ordered emergency repairs) and awarded the contract to Hasburn Construction (low bidder recommended by CTI). Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Recreational Trails Program grant (R-036-25): The board accepted terms and conditions of a Georgia Department of Natural Resources Recreational Trails Program grant: $200,000 award with an $80,000 county match to resurface the Civic Center trail with a permanent surface (asphalt or bonded rubber). Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Pension plan fifth amendment (R-037-25): The board approved the Fifth Amendment to the Walker County employees’ pension plan to unfreeze the plan and allow funding to begin retroactive to Jan. 1, 2025; trustees will return with final reporting in June. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Acceptance of additional opioid-abatement funds for Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit (LMJC) accountability courts: The board accepted $387,000 allocated from the state’s opioid settlement portion for accountability courts; the county acts as fiduciary for these funds. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Purchase order / buyout of tracked dozer at landfill (PO 2025-00001629): The board approved a $230,665.60 buyout/lease-purchase for a Caterpillar D4 tracked dozer from Yancey Brothers (rental-to-purchase plan)—the dozer will serve landfill compaction and slope work and will be paid from designated landfill funds. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

Procedural and other votes: The board also approved routine items including approval of the April 3, 2025 minutes and an early-agenda amendment (removing a recognition item) by unanimous voice votes; the board formally suspended older public-hearing rules to allow both applicants and opponents to speak for a combined 10 minutes per planning item, a change that passed unanimously.

Ending: All listed resolutions and contracts were approved by unanimous vote at the May 1 meeting. Where applicable, staff will proceed with contract execution, clerk recording and reporting to trustees or grant administrators.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Walker County Board of Commissioners Meeting - May 1, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the May 1 meeting the board approved a slate of consent and new-business items including opioid-settlement disbursements, a road-paving contract, a bridge repair contract, a recreational trails grant, pension-plan unfreezing, a purchase order to buy a landfill dozer and other routine actions; all recorded votes were unanimous.","taxTitle","Walker County, Georgia","taxId",28671,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6576054,"EPA brownfields grant: county consultant reports contamination at Crystal Springs site, proposes further testing",345,2435000,2780000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3179847-c67801a1989181191e29e3c34603048f&start=2435&end=2780","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3179847-c67801a1989181191e29e3c34603048f/thumbnail_2435000.jpg","/articles/6576054/Walker-County/Georgia/EPA-brownfields-grant-county-consultant-reports-contamination-at-Crystal-Springs-site-proposes-further-testing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576054-28cf6bcc0c0b6d382c5612b1973c5137/orig.mp4?Expires=1770967399&Signature=fNLm39khxzuEOVl~hxkH5TeQML3n39~7RSQ3M~yoVlJL9ZqShMaXAJbJDRZztRR2wAZ9VyBU0rf9CvrmQT~m6ah6uwcaZ9wLo241OBphOr5S4ASQCsdidkzFnvKry34RRIBdNq-HlIbDPi5uwJ1K9Ll~pMVztHsr1uxorlRofnfaAwIs2e4IzH9nsoieC6XhNLXq4Xqx6mbruE8qSy2wRRNumXN~YIjVbMf~hQIlNgrIFspIr9-M0jpQKkVg0gVuN9B~F9~Soh04lp~HmKYiCGoGb2Oblyd7KTVvQh8WtisxJp-C~774mMye3bN9bJiHms7NXWFlSaRHArh5UCdqxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A consultant working under Walker County’s EPA Brownfield Assessment Grant updated the board on environmental assessments at several former industrial sites and recommended further testing to define contamination and pursue cleanup funding.

What the contractor reported: Dallas Whitmill of Terracon Consultants summarized work funded by a roughly $500,000 EPA grant for site inventories, Phase 1 and Phase 2 environmental site assessments, and planning that can make sites eligible for future cleanup grants. “A phase 1 environmental site assessment is where we obtain records...and complete a site reconnaissance,” Whitmill explained, and “if we have recognized environmental conditions, then we move to a phase 2 environmental site assessment” that collects soil, groundwater and soil-vapor samples.

Findings to date: Terracon completed Phase 1 work at four sites and Phase 2 sampling at Crystal Springs Print Works Mill and Peerless Mill. At Crystal Springs the Phase 2 work identified impacts in soil that included volatile organic compounds, semi-volatile organic compounds, PCBs and PFAS; investigators also reported a PFAS detection in surface water. The team encountered bedrock before reaching target depths for groundwater sampling and proposed returning with a different drill rig to collect deeper groundwater samples and to collect additional soil samples to define the extent of contamination.

Community impact and next steps: Whitmill said property owners of some assessed sites declined to proceed with additional assessments after Phase 1. For Crystal Springs and other sites the county plans to complete additional sampling and then pursue cleanup-planning work that would position the sites to compete for EPA cleanup grants. Whitmill said the Brownfields grant cannot itself perform cleanup but is intended to support assessment, planning and community outreach that enable a future remediation grant.

Ending: The consultant said the county’s next step is additional drilling and sampling to delineate contamination and that the assessment work completed so far positions the county to seek cleanup funding if the necessary planning is completed.","Terracon representatives told the board the county’s EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant funded Phase 1 and Phase 2 work at multiple former industrial sites and found volatile organic compounds, PCBs and PFAS at Crystal Springs; they recommended additional drilling and sampling to define contamination extent and plan cleanup funding steps.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6576059,"Commissioners approve rezoning of three Pruitt parcels",3345,3247000,6592000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3179847-c67801a1989181191e29e3c34603048f&start=3247&end=6592","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3179847-c67801a1989181191e29e3c34603048f/thumbnail_3247000.jpg","/articles/6576059/Walker-County/Georgia/Commissioners-approve-rezoning-of-three-Pruitt-parcels","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576059-2b48eaf84946bf7f5a3dcaf631521525/orig.mp4?Expires=1770967399&Signature=dFAEwccAdkr-AAd5x8KQPOdZNejX7tAfd4-2PS6bZlyKo7uSER~JJiaDwUvh9LYfl9H6QU0k6aVK4ssdiN-AUWboVvr4lLTyts96MGn-uBU3XPrXTfAvEMHvzCe30Lqd3cUz4x1UzMCse7NLQdAW2NzvM14LtbN1Z9JnJ9sx~n~qm1DR555uEyWoYPQJSMT7N7IHN4lhckoUo1LSY9D4Cbu4TQ0bZSRGmerPXjkzwOQu9nRoyFahLDIgyKhsk2HLLSfRAcm9qbiPt2nYheCR2pBG4~0FhnhVAJSkmjYwL8UEq0wL3g6rEaPjoFvClhnI17SF6ydBBtE-tsdPNinkxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Walker County Board of Commissioners approved a rezoning request from Robert and Carline Pruitt for three parcels (tax map and parcel numbers 0-326-3-054, 0-326-3-055 and 0-326-3-056) after the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval.

The hearing: The Pruitts were not present to speak. Planning and Zoning recommended approval and no one spoke in opposition during the public comment window. The board moved and seconded the rezoning approval; the motion passed by voice vote with all commissioners voting in favor.

Why it matters: Rezoning decisions change permitted land uses for the parcels involved; the Planning and Zoning Commission had reviewed the application and recommended approval, and the board followed that recommendation without public objection at the meeting.

Ending: The rezoning was approved at the May 1 meeting and the clerk will record the ordinance as required by county procedures.","The board approved a Planning and Zoning–recommended rezoning request for three contiguous parcels submitted by Robert and Carline Pruitt; no opposition spoke at the hearing.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6576064,"Development authority’s request to rezone 100-acre parcel for industrial park tabled after neighborhood opposition",3366,3073000,6439000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3179847-c67801a1989181191e29e3c34603048f&start=3073&end=6439","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3179847-c67801a1989181191e29e3c34603048f/thumbnail_3073000.jpg","/articles/6576064/Walker-County/Georgia/Development-authoritys-request-to-rezone-100-acre-parcel-for-industrial-park-tabled-after-neighborhood-opposition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576064-f9d8719e1fba06019aba8255e0e5c181/orig.mp4?Expires=1770967400&Signature=eaAtH8xXnag3FSXq93XF4h7-25DHi2Zu1u5sxZGleWgxaneikqvBx-rzehw8IcDuBVFiz5j23Ztaow4D3scdDjdSZ5gpQL2M3G0VUtDF0FlrbAY337rKxi937~BmCCFxQtArefzB0lfupcXkYeqWR5bd-CT2cJNZPg~cRjjMskoNyiwNeZ5EgkHecMnHr3fZA8~8HR~OR4rBQjAVXGxY4FqJya5mx3kpoU-gEw-QwjIDGTXF3~4OeBUMDxM8I4tZ8LZt4KQvoNkLKERY~N1Zo4Wc7fmMRe8tDmzgUjw6Eoebo6aJDws-qgHJD6GVRWs142okBXje3LHL3~lWoMS68A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Walker County Board of Commissioners voted to table for one month a rezoning request from the Walker County Development Authority that would convert roughly 100 acres from agricultural to industrial near the existing Walker County Business Park.

The applicant: Andy Arnold, mayor of Lafayette and chair of the Walker County Development Authority, and Stephanie Watkins, the authority’s executive director, told commissioners the authority purchased about 100 acres in October 2022 to expand the county’s industrial park and said the additional acreage is necessary to compete for projects that need readily available utilities, rail access and fiber. “The development authority purchased approximately a hundred acres in October of 2022,” Watkins told the board.

Why it matters: Residents from the adjacent Noble community and nearby properties urged the board to deny rezoning, citing noise, light, water and soil pollution, property-value loss, and vehicle and train traffic. David Boyle, identified as chair of the Noble Neighborhood Community Association and a long-time county resident, presented a circulated petition asking the board to deny the request. Stacy White said the proposed industrial zoning “will impact our properties” and listed “noise pollution, light pollution, water and soil pollution” as community concerns. Diane Cousineau asked the applicants, “What are your plans for setbacks and buffers of a size substantial enough to protect our property values and ensure our ability to enjoy our property?”

Planning commission and board action: The county planning commission had recommended denial, citing available acreage elsewhere in the park. Commissioners and applicants discussed site constraints such as wetlands, easements, and usable acreage. During the May 1 meeting a commissioner moved to table the application for one month to allow the board time to gather further data and hear more from neighbors; the motion was seconded and the board voted unanimously to table. The item will return to the June meeting.

Supporting details: The development authority said particular site layouts or easements made some existing park acreage less usable; the authority also said it will pursue light manufacturing rather than heavy industry and that buffers of at least 50 feet would be a baseline that could be expanded depending on the company.

Ending: The board’s one-month tabling gives staff time to collect additional traffic, environmental and buffer data and gives residents time to provide further written comments before the June meeting.","After residents raised concerns about noise, traffic, groundwater and buffers, the Walker County Board of Commissioners voted to table a Walker County Development Authority request to rezone about 100 acres for industrial use and will revisit it in June.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6576068,"County attorney says recent truck purchase permissible; residents and auditor call for review",5193,1475000,6668000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3179847-c67801a1989181191e29e3c34603048f&start=1475&end=6668","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3179847-c67801a1989181191e29e3c34603048f/thumbnail_1475000.jpg","/articles/6576068/Walker-County/Georgia/County-attorney-says-recent-truck-purchase-permissible-residents-and-auditor-call-for-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576068-cc90b7b4d8ab6a1f2f5bb7fde21dd6bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770967400&Signature=CdXVYxfIj60r0kDrcok3jYn4556SCs66cStD0w-vaqBwbq13xC2S8rHwhbSi07V9GpJT~hXezF1dyHrNEeaLH3T-tWzxo00aerYzlA2KV5c-XkR5pfBUFYxTjvqxmrzYV81GViLtRdmUw0Uwx1qxC8yG6r7J8EEK9yFxjpGBI0dntBx-mHR6Sdk67o8RvYzeR4uuGQk9LMdryuENDNp0k04j2K9vdFMvL04xmZhmWsp5--qDiMXNZxUGXN--Bjg6pbLJ9jzdR4REy9D6hApVYvgoqcssmgKVSn~EKPRiWvEkCM16Lra9Tha79tHX-cS7npd45RCbWmNfFG-H57IZag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Walker County Board of Commissioners heard a multi-part briefing and extended public comment about a recent procurement of two heavy trucks and whether the county followed its purchasing rules.

County Attorney Ken Gerard reviewed the facts of the purchase and told the board it has discretion as the county’s governing authority to choose equipment it deems in the public interest. Gerard said the county purchased two Mack class-8 trucks that were on a dealer lot and could be delivered immediately. “First of all, the governing authority of Walker County is you,” Gerard told the board, and he later said the commissioners “are a fiduciary. You are a steward of the public purse.” He said Georgia’s competitive sealed-bid statutes govern specific capital projects (not routine equipment), described the county’s own purchasing-policy thresholds, and concluded he was “comfortable with that acquisition.”

Why it matters: the purchase has prompted public criticism and requests for further review. Speakers at the meeting asked for more documentation about vendor contacts, contract specifications, and whether rules for sealed bids were followed. Resident Ned Yates said the purchase “violated the enabling act of Walker County” as he reads it and asked, “Why is there no record of the conversation?” Melissa Halsey, a county auditor who spoke during public comment, urged a deeper accounting review: “Can we afford not to have one?” she asked, calling for a forensic audit in light of repeated audit findings about internal controls.

Supporting details: Gerard told the commission the two Mack trucks were listed in procurement materials as a higher-spec vehicle with greater load capacity and longer longevity than the other trucks that were considered. He noted that some competing vehicles would have to be ordered and delivered later, while the Mack trucks were on the lot and available immediately — a factor the board weighed in deciding what was in the county’s best interest. Public commenters said the total paid was roughly $472,000 for the two trucks; Gerard cited per-truck figures in the procurement materials shown to him.

Board response and context: several commissioners defended the decision at the meeting, saying county road operations lacked available vehicles and the immediate availability of lot-ready machines mattered for public services. Commissioner Blakemore said he “felt it was the best truck to fit Walker County’s need.” Gerard recommended clarifying language in the county purchasing policy about what constitutes a “formal sealed bid,” because Georgia law prescribes sealed-bid processes for certain capital works (not for every high-dollar equipment purchase).

What’s next: The meeting produced no formal action on the trucks themselves; Gerard stayed for public comment and said he would take notes for any follow-up. Multiple speakers asked the board to consider a forensic audit or additional internal-review steps; the board did not vote on that request during the meeting.

Ending: Commissioners and staff said they will continue to review procurement language and documentation. Gerard said he would advise the board if it wants further legal or procedural changes to its purchasing policy.","County Attorney Ken Gerard told the Walker County Board of Commissioners the purchase of two class-8 trucks was legally defensible and within the board’s discretion, but residents and the county auditor urged a forensic review and questioned procurement documentation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Walker County commissioners approve contracts, grants and personnel actions in unanimous consent; key votes listed

EPA brownfields grant: county consultant reports contamination at Crystal Springs site, proposes further testing

Commissioners approve rezoning of three Pruitt parcels

Development authority’s request to rezone 100-acre parcel for industrial park tabled after neighborhood opposition

County attorney says recent truck purchase permissible; residents and auditor call for review