THOMASVILLE — It appears an agreement on controversial Pinetree Boulevard ownership and improvements is at hand.

After discussing three options during a Monday Thomasville City Council workshop attended by Thomas County commissioners, city council members voted unanimously to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the county on one of the options.

County commissioners will meet at 5 p.m. Monday at a commission emergency services committee meeting at the historic Thomas County Courthouse to discuss the matter further.

Coming into play in ongoing city/county Pinetree talks is $3 million from the Georgia Department of Transportation. County commissioners learned last week the money would be available if the city and county agree on a plan, among other stipulations, by Thursday, Aug. 24.

The agreement approved by the council calls for the city to take ownership of South and East Pinetree — from West Jackson Street to East Jackson Street.

“The county would take responsibility of North and West Pinetree to West Jackson, completing the circle the road makes around the city,” City Manager/Utilities Superintendent Steve Sykes said after the workshop.

The city would offer to construct improvements on South Pinetree from West Jackson to Magnolia Street, including a roundabout at the Magnolia intersection.

Improvements would include curb and gutter, drainage, utilities relocation, new paving and a 10-foot-wide sidewalk on the north side of the road.

Sykes said the estimated cost of the project to the  city — after receiving DOT’s $3 million — would be $1.1 million. The additional $1 million price tag to relocate utilities would be paid solely by the city. Utilities include electric, water, natural gas, sanitary sewer and telecommunications lines.

On Tuesday, county commission Chairman Ken Hickey said, “I don’t have the consensus of the board until we vote on it.”

The commissioners will vote on the proposal at a 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22, meeting in the third-floor commission chambers at the historic courthouse.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820