Wednesday, June 12, 2002
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Wednesday, June 12, 2002 |
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County's capital needs total $37 million
By JOHN THOMPSON
If the Fayette County commissioners want to fund elements in the first year of their Capital Improvement Program, they'll have to transfer nearly $3.5 million from their cash reserves for the projects. For the first time, the county has created a Capital Improvement Program to use as a guideline for future big-dollar projects. The total price for all the items is $37 million, but the County Commission emphasized last week that it had not fully approved the program. Finance director Mark Pulliam said the county had nearly $13 million in reserves, which is more than the normal three month reserve. "We have to keep the three-month reserve, because taxes don't start rolling in until December," he said. The CIP discussion was part of the county's workshop last week on the budget. During the discussions, the County Commission looked at each department's capital needs for the upcoming year. This year's projects include: A severe weather early warning system for $90,000. Improvements to parks, such as Kiwanis Park and McCurry Park, along with a new park in north Fayette, for $831,000. More than $1.2 million in road projects such as the widening of Lester Road, widening and improving the drainage at Huiet Road at Ga. Highway 54 and intersection realignment at Goza Road and Ga. Highway 85. Several water projects, including a water tank on Hwy. 85, funds for the permitting and construction of Lake McIntosh and a water tank in south Fayette County. One of the bigger projects not needing funds next year but still in the program is a new $2.25 million headquarters for fire and emergency services and emergency operations center. During the budget discussions, Chairman Greg Dunn said approving funds for this year's projects was giving tacit approval to start planning for the projects down the road. But Commissioner Herb Frady insisted all he was voting on was this year's budget, and felt the County Commission needed to have a workshop on the entire capital program to prioritize the projects.
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