DAHLONEGA, Ga. – The Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners discussed a wide range of issues during Tuesday’s work session, including the Fiscal Year 2017 budget and millage rate and funding for the Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) road program.

District 4 Commissioner Bob Pullen said it might be worthwhile for commissioners to consider hiring one or two more employees than what is currently included in the proposed budget.

Commission Chairman Chris Dockery responded by saying, “That’s kind of a steep hill to climb. I think we have to be very careful not to break the back of the taxpayers. It’s more important to take care of the (employees) we have currently.”

Public Works Director Larry Reiter asked the Board to approve the list of roads slated for improvement in 2017. The total cost for the 2017 resurfacing project is estimated to be $1,289,640, most of which is included in the voter-approved SPLOST.

Roads on the list must be county roads and must be approved by the Georgia Department of Transportation. GDOT will then send the county a check for the LMIG portion of the project (approximately $510,614). Lumpkin County will be responsible for the remaining cost of project.

At a minimum, the county will be financially responsible for a 30% match ($153,184.23) which will require a minimum project total cost of $663,798.29.

Commissioners will vote on these and other issues during the regular voting meeting Tuesday Sept. 13 at 6 p.m.

In a called meeting held just prior to the work session, county commissioners voted to contract with Doug Eaves as a consultant on service delivery at a cost not to exceed $1,500.