County board views future projects
The Polk County Board of Commissioners is considering future projects at the airport, relocating the 911 Center and making needed improvements at Courthouse No. 1.
They are also discussing changes involving Animal Control and the Humane Society.
County Manager Matt Denton brought these issues to the table during a recent work session.
Denton presented the current Capitol Improvement Plan (CIP) for the Polk County Airport, which includes a continuation of a tree removal project.
The first of a two-phased work program included removal of on-site trees that were declared a safety issue for aircraft landing at the local facility. This was completed during 2012-13, according to Denton.
He said the county is now identifying about 44 acres near the field where more tree removal is needed. Once acquisition is completed, the project will go to bid and clearing will begin.
The airport CIP shows the following:
2015: land/easement acquisition for 2015 – federal funds totaling $360,000 with state, $20,000 and local, $20,000
2016: acquisition services, phase two, $100,000, federal and $10,000 in combined state and local money
This would include off- site clearing design and bidding and design for east apron rehab, crack and sealing the runway and parallel taxiway.
2017: off-site clearing construction administration and inspection, land easement/acquisition and access road design, totaling about $483,000, federal, state and local funds
2018: runway extension design, east apron rehab, administration and inspection, access road construction, total $2,221,500 in federal, state and local money
2019 – 2020: perimeter fencing design, runway extension and construction
Denton said he is still discussing a plan to relocate Polk’s 911 Center from 1640 Rockmart Highway to the basement of Polk Medical Center in Cedartown.
He displayed a drawing that showed a reconfigured basement design for the new 911 Center, which would include space for emergency operations.
“We believe it is a viable project and are excited about how it would benefit taxpayers,” Denton said.
He emphasized that it would be difficult to shut down the 911 Center while a needed equipment upgrade is completed.
This equipment project is expected to total an estimated $500,000 to $600,000. The funds would be drawn from the general fund, not SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax).
Denton said no money for the 911 project is included in the $20 mil- lion FY 2015 budget. Plans are to do the work in phases and paid from budget years 2015 through 2017.
Funding sources for 911 include telephone fees, Denton said. “Many people are now removing land lines but costs of operation are ongoing. To make up the difference, the county has to supplement an estimated $200,000 from the general fund.”
Chairman Marshelle Thaxton said the proposal could save tax dollars and provide needed space for 911 operations.
The plan also includes moving the Polk County Extension Office (PCEO) from 20 North Main Street, Cedartown, into the 911 building if the relocation is completed.
Thaxton said the PCEO building needs extensive renovation, including a new boiler. “Such a project would be expensive,” he said.
Denton also mentioned needed renovations at Polk Courthouse No. 1, which would be preferred over the $30 to $40 million estimated cost to erect a new building. Cost to repair the building is projected to total $3 to $5 million.
The historic courthouse has aging problems that are identified as heating, air and electrical plus a leaky roof.
Additionally, the county board heard a report on changes needed at Polk’s Animal Control Center. The debated issue includes placing all adoptions with the Humane Society.