Commissioners Approve Plan to Build 3 Roundabouts

DAHLONEGA, Ga. — The Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a series of agreements with the Georgia Department of Transportation Tuesday that will provide for the construction of roundabouts at three Lumpkin County intersections. The county’s only financial obligation will be to pay the cost of electrical energy used for any lighting and the maintenance as well as landscaping after installation.

The roundabouts will be located at the intersection of SR 9 and SR 60, SR 52 West and SR 9 and at the intersection of SR 52, SR 115 and Copper Mines Road. Commissioners acknowledged there is an issue with a business located at the Copper Mines Road location but believe that it is currently being resolved.

Commissioners also approved EMA Director David Wimpy’s request to apply for a staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant to hire nine full-time firefighters. There is no cost to apply for the grant. However, if approved, the positions would cost the county $146,250 in year one, $146,250 in year two, and $380,250 in year three.

The Board also approved a request to purchase one F-350 truck from Wade Ford for $34,098 and two F-150s for $22,193 each from Allan Vigil Ford. The local Ford dealership chose not to submit a bid.

The Board made a series of appointments to various boards and committees, including newly elected Commissioner David Miller to the Board of Health. State Senator Steve Gooch and Steven Leibel were reappointed to the Joint Development Authority of Dawson, White and Lumpkin counties.

Several roads were adopted into the county’s maintenance program, including Brookwoods Lane, Brooks Drive and Baker Street in Brookwoods Subdivision and Misty Hollow Road in Misty Hollow Subdivision.

Commissioners unanimously approved a community block development grant (CDBG) funds for expansion of the Senior Center and the Local Emergency Operations Plan (LEOP) as required by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency.