Staff Reports



MOULTRIE — After months of debate over an old agreement regarding the upkeep of Withers Auditorium, the county commission unanimously voted Tuesday to fund one-third of renovation expenses.

In November, the county commission had voted to fund only one-quarter of a $121,487.10 heating, ventilation and air conditioning project.

The county based its November decision on a 1997 amendment to a 1979 contract that states, “Renovations and maintenance other than routine maintenance shall be the responsibility of all three contracting parties” (the county, the city and the school board). The contract does not specify proportions.

The city and the school board maintained that the HVAC funding should be split in thirds among the three parties, but county commissioners were not willing to deviate from the agreement in which the county participates in 25 percent of capital improvement projects.

After relinquishing the extra $8,000, the county wants a new contract drawn up that clarifies the obligations of all three parties.

In other action:

The county denied a request from the City of Moultrie to fund materials for the installation of a traffic light at Sunset Elementary School.

Sheriff Al Whittington said that former Moultrie City Manager Tony Rojas had indicated that the city would provide all labor and materials necessary for installation of the traffic light.

The county will pay the monthly utility costs of the traffic light.

The county commission welcomed Commissioner Joe Clark back to the board. Clark served as chairman from 1985 through 1994.

The commission reappointed Brian Marlowe as county administrator, Dr. Nancy Lafuente as county physician and Bill McCalley as county attorney.

After an extensive discussion, the commission decided to reappoint the Bowen, Phillips and Carmichael auditing firm after the commission had already voted in a Jan. 3 called meeting to rebid audit services. Since that time, the board has been swayed by county Finance Director Miriam Smith to keep the services of Bowen, Phillips and Carmichael auditing firm.

Smith said that the federal government is mandating that the county adopt a new accounting system, and the auditing firm has already begun helping the county with its implementation.

Commissioner Merle Hall opposed the reappointment.

County annex contractor Lyndy Jones of JCI Contractors informed commissioners that the paving of the parking lot has been delayed due to recent heavy rains.

The county extended JCI’s contract for the Georgia Department of Human Resources building for 41 days because of inclement weather.

The commission approved an ordinance outlining the county’s records retention policy.

Commissioners agreed to a lease agreement with the Georgia Department of Labor for office space in the governmental building through April 30.

The City of Moultrie notified the county of its intent to annex property located on Tallokas Road.

Technical and Maintenance Supervisor Terry McMullen requested monitoring services for the courthouse annex. The county administrator will check with the county’s insurance company to determine whether monitoring services will result in a lower insurance premium.

Chairman Max Hancock said the installation of bypass lighting is currently in progress.

Hancock said that during his recent meeting with state Sen.-Elect John Bulloch, Bulloch was particularly interested in continued funding for the state’s Local Assistance Roads Program (LARP).

The commission approved a bid from Sherman Concrete Pipe Company of Columbus for the annual purchase of concrete pipe for the Roads and Bridges Department.

The commission approved the low bid from Reeves Construction Company of Tifton for the annual purchase of asphalt and super pave. If Reeves is unable to deliver, the second and third bidders are approved in that order.

The commission approved the low bid from Baxter Oil Company for the annual purchase of oil. Baxter Oil Company of Moultrie was selected out of three bidders.

The com





mission approved the bid from Best 1 Pest Control of Moultrie at $380 per month for the annual contract for exterminating services for county buildings. Best 1 was selected from six bids and was the third highest bid, but the bid included treatment of all outside perimeters.

The commission approved lowest bid of Advanced Drainage Systems of Winter Garden, Fla., for the annual purchase of double wall corrugated pipe. Only two bids were submitted.

The commission approved the low bid from Gulf Atlantic of Tallahassee out of two bids for the annual purchase of galvanized pipe.

The commission approved the low bid from Southern Aggreates of Macon in the amount of $23.50 per ton for aggreate rock. Only two bids were submitted.

The commission rejected the sole bid submitted from Oxford Construction Company of Albany for the grading and paving of Forestry Road. The commission agreed to rebid the project.