Columbia County commissioners have postponed consideration of a new procurement policy until their May 4 meeting. The new policy would set new procedures for when purchases should be made with bids, quotes or on the open market.
The proposed policy would allow purchases of less than $5,000 to be made on the open market. Purchases between $5,000 and $25,000 will require quotes from three to five sources. Purchases between $25,000 and $50,000 will require sealed bids. Purchases over $50,000 will require a formal bid process.
The policy’s ethics section requires the Procurement department to maintain a list of suppliers and prohibits county employees from providing services to the county if they would benefit from doing so.
Commissioners also proclaimed May 2021 Motorcycle Awareness Month to promote the safety, education and awareness programs to the general public.
The proclamation states that the members of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA), Motorist Awareness Program (MAP) of Georgia and other organizations continually promote motorcycle safety, education, and awareness programs to the general public, and to the motorist community of Georgia.
Consent agenda included a number of items related to security and emergency services.
Commissioners unanimously approved the lowest bid of $259,011 from BRW Construction Group, LLC for the Emergency Department generator replacement project at the Reed Creek Water Pollution Control Plant. The also approved a memorandum of understanding made with Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency for Homeland Security Grants in the EM Grants Pro System.
The commission also unanimously approved an agency subscription agreement with AT&T Mobility National Accounts that secures the secondary/back up communications plan for the Mobile Operations Center.
Commissioners also approved service organization allocations of $2,500 each to The Family Y and iCare. The Family Y provides recreational and camp opportunities to many families in Columbia County. The service agreement will help with scholarships to attend programs and camps throughout 2021, according to the contract. iCare is working with local law enforcement to respond to human trafficking victims in Columbia County and the CSRA.
Commissioners approved the low bid of $27,963 from Cintas of Augusta for uniform services, and an independent contract agreement with Titan Concrete Coating, LLC for Fleet Services and Animal Services Floor Improvements was approved for a total cost of $124,684.
Commissioners approved the purchase of a shelter from Cedar Forest Products for a WiFi pavilion for $47,726.56 through HGAC, a purchasing cooperative of which Columbia County is a member. The shelter will protect a WiFi pavilion located on Cobbham Road next to Fire Station 13. This pavilion is intended to make broadband Internet services available to more rural areas in the county.
The Department of Road Construction sought and received approval of a bid the amount of $3.2 million from Reeves Construction Company for the resurfacing and road rehabilitation work.
Commissioners gave permission to exceed the 1,800 square footage maximum for an ancillary dwelling on the property at 6104 Gray Rd. They would want to build a 2,100-square-foot in-law suite on the property that is about 19 acres. Development and Planning Services recommended approval, and commissioners agreed.
Commissioners also supported an application from Abner M. and Ines Martinez to build a larger home on property at 659 Gibbs Rd. South. An 1,861 square foot house is already on the property and the Martinez couple plan to build a 3,578 square foot house.
A request from Short Stop at Jimmie Dyess Parkway for an off-premise consumption license was also approved.
The commission also had the second reading of a resolution to approve a street lighting district for Southwind Village. A total of 18 streetlights will be installed in the Southwind Village neighborhood for a total cost of $12,220.38. The costs will be levied as a special tax against the property within the district and shown on each year’s tax billing beginning with the 2020 tax year. The rate to be determined by the Board of Commissioners annually. This rate is subject to increase as the costs of serving increase
The next commission meeting will be held on May 4, 2021.
Haley Knight is a contributor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at haley.knight@TheAugustaPRESS.com.
