County sees pipe costs nearly double

Grady County road superintendent Stanley Elkins informed Grady County Commissioners Tuesday that the cost of galvanized pipe is nearly double what the county paid when it last placed an order.

Elkins requested bids on 39 pieces of pipe in sizes varying from 15’ x 24’ up to 24’ x 24’ to replenish the county’s inventory.

Two bids were received: $28,393.53 from Southern Pipe & Supply of Thomasville and $28,608.04 from Gulf Atlantic Culvert Co. of Tallahassee.

On the recommendation of the road superintendent, the board accepted the low bid of Southern Pipe & Supply.

Grady County administrator J.C. (Buddy) Johnson III, noted that the county is reimbursed for the pipe when it is sold to county residents for driveways and replacement pipe.

Superintendent Elkins also reported that his crews have installed more pipe in the last six months than in recent history.

In related news, Johnson informed the board that the county had been awarded $150,000 from the Georgia Department of Transportation through the safety action plan grant program. He said these funds will be used to re-stripe county roads.

According to Johnson, consulting engineer Stacy Watkins is in the process of determining which roads have priority for striping.

The county administrator also reported that a pre-construction meeting for Pine Park Road Phase I improvements was held June 17 and a notice to proceed on August 1 has been issued. Johnson said work could begin sooner if work on the Johnson Road project is finished earlier than expected.

In other business, the county commission:

• Adopted changes to the variance procedure in the county’s Land Use Ordinance.

• Adopted an ordinance enacting the newly codified county code.

• Approved the existing slate of department heads including road superintendent Stanley Elkins, county shop superintendent Chris Dix, recreation department director Becky Bracewell, Emergency Medical Service director Rodney Gordon, E.M.A. director and county fire chief Richard Phillips, animal control director Jeff Ezell, building official and building and grounds superintendent Brian Harrison, finance director Holly Murkerson and human resources director John White.

• Heard a report from the county administrator that he is working with the Grady County Sheriff’s Office, Grady E.M.S. and the volunteer fire department on communications upgrades, which will be paid for out of American Rescue Act funds. The county has already received the first installment or half of the approximately $4.7 million it will receive over the next two years from the federal government.

• Received an update that Raymond James & Associates had completed the continuing disclosure and mandated reporting on the bonds issued for Tired Creek Lake.

• Learned that Johnson was in contact with U.S. Department of Agriculture officials about potential funding through U.S.D.A. the county may be eligible for.

• Received a warning from the administrator about fake emails being sent that appeared to be sent from county officials and commission chairman Phillip Drew, in particular. Johnson advised the board if a message seemed strange then it likely was fake. Chairman Drew also suggested clicking on the sender and if it was an unusual name that would be an indication the message was fake.

• Heard a report from Johnson that the Grady County Planning Commission is continuing to evaluate the best approach to implement countywide zoning and likely would be bringing forth a recommendation soon.

• Received an update from Johnson that county attorney Gabe Ridley is in the process of evaluating a hotel/motel tax ordinance and would be making a report to the board later this month or next.

• Met behind closed doors for approximately a half hour to discuss personnel. No action was taken as a result of the closed session. Earlier in the meeting, the administrator reported that evaluations of county personnel by their supervisors and department heads had been completed and submitted to the commission office.