LUMPKIN COUNTY, Ga. – During Tuesday’s 4 p.m. work session, the Board of Commissioners will consider contracting with Total Cost Advocates to conduct an audit of all utility and telecommunications accounts to determine if the county can realize some cost savings on its bills.

In 2013, the county retained the services of a third-party vendor to conduct a similar audit but no viable savings were achieved therefore, there was no cost to the county. In January of 2020, the county was approached by TCA, a firm located in North Georgia, regarding an opportunity to reduce operational costs. Total Cost Advocates presented their material and stated that their experience shows 80% of entities overpay on their invoices.

Should the board decide to approve the audit, the county has to provide data to TCA, and the audit should be completed in 6-8 weeks. Similar to the previous agreement, this firm will be paid 50% of any rebates/refunds which are created by their efforts. This share of savings would last 60 months. Expected savings are limited given the nature of the county’s processes regarding utilities and phone service but there is no harm in having an outside firm review the statements.

Staff recommends approval of the contract since it provides a third-party review of all accounts by a firm that is very familiar with these types of accounts and any associated rebates or tiered ratings available to institutional entities that are unknown to the staff. There could be operational savings at no additional cost to the county.

Senior Center Director Linda Kirkpatrick will ask commissioners to consider renewal of a contract with Legacy Link for the Lumpkin County Senior Center to provide nutrition and wellness services, nutrition screening and support services for senior adults in Lumpkin County. The Senior Center is contracting to provide 6,500 congregate meals, 24,300 home delivered meals, 6,000 units of transportation and a total of 1,527 wellness units (wellness units to include 739 units of Lifestyle Management services, 27 units of Nutrition Education services, 728 units of Physical Activity services and 33 units of Program Awareness/Prevention services).

Lumpkin County’s senior program was created over 25 years ago. The Center has been operating for many years with services that are centered on traditional programming such as nutrition which includes home delivered and congregate meals, social activities, and transportation. These programs were created for older adults to age in place in their communities. Clients receiving meal services tend to be older adults, are isolated, often experiencing chronic health and mobility issues, and do not have access to transportation. These programs will always remain the core of the Center as the population continues to “age up” at a rapid rate and particularly for those who are most at-risk due to their socioeconomic status.

If approved, the services will be provided to senior residents of Lumpkin County for the period July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. Federal and state funding will provide $156,579 and the county will provide a match if $8,232. Staff recommends approval of the contract.

Commissioners will also consider ratification of a new and expanded memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the UGA Board of Regents regarding Lumpkin County’s extension service program which started in the 1920s. The new MOU calls for employees to be paid directly by UGA.

Other items on the menu include a presentation by Tourism Director Sam McDuffie and the reappointment of Tony Nunley to the Lumpkin County Planning Commission.