Floyd County readying 2 more SPLOST projects
Air conditioning at the Judicial Center and water service in Everett Springs are in the works.
Floyd County is steadily chipping away at projects funded through the 2013 SPLOST, including upgrades to the HVAC systems in county buildings and a water line extension to the Everett Springs community
A cooling tower for the Judicial Center, at the cost of $191,534, is the latest heating, ventilation and air conditioning project to get a green light.
The special purpose, local option sales tax package contained $1.7 million to make county buildings more energy-efficient. The Health Department and the Joint Law Enforcement Center were also included.
“This is the last of the big (energy) projects under the SPLOST,” County Manager Jamie McCord told county commissioners before they approved the cooling tower contract Thursday.
“There will be some minor things we’ll do,” he said. “We’ve had good use out of these funds.”
Cartersville-based T& T Commercial Services was the low-bidder on the project, which also includes a filtration system to help stop the growth of bacteria and other contaminants.
The Water Department also is assembling property it needs to extend water service up to Everett Springs, in The Pocket area of north Floyd County.
The 2013 SPLOST has an earmark of $5.8 million for the project, which is aimed at increasing the water pressure for firefighting and offering an option for residents who are relying on wells with high levels of bacteria. Plans are to install approximately 17 miles of pipe, 59 new fire hydrants and a million gallon water tank with a pump station.
The board recently approved purchases of a permanent easement for a water main under Johns Creek, at $2,500, and 2.4 acres to house the water tank. The price of the land is $6,070 but the county also will provide three $1,600 water meters and pave an access road, for a total cost of $14,370.
Although water projects are typically funded through customer fees, this one was included in the SPLOST because officials said there aren’t enough people living in The Pocket to make it financially feasible.