Engineering firm seeks additional funds

Commissioner Steve Worley asked for company representatives to attend the meeting to explain the new funding request.

Moreland and the other executives said the money is needed due to changes in the scope of the transportation project and also because of recent regulatory changes that require additional work.

But Worley said he could not agree to spend another $55,000 for the document. He recommended that the county negotiate with the company to reduce that amount.

Moreland attempted to negotiate on the spot, but Worley wouldn’t do it.

Worley worked for the Georgia Department of Transportation in the 1980s and early 1990s when Moreland ran that agency.

BOC Chairman Danny Yearwood then told Moreland that the matter would be tabled, and the county would get back to him to see if an agreement could be worked out.

After a closed meeting to discuss “personnel and litigation,” Yearwood asked the board to go ahead and take some action to resolve the Moreland contract issue.

Commissioner Larry Joe Wilburn made a motion for the chairman to set up a committee to negotiate with Moreland Altobelli representatives. Yearwood appointed Worley, operations development manager Bob Hohe and county engineering manager Darrell Greeson.

The motion authorized Yearwood to execute whatever agreement the committee can work out for up to $55,000.

In other business, the BOC voted unanimously to approve:

•a special use permit for Dolly’s Personal Care Home at 555 Cotton Creek Lane. Agnes Taylor has operated the home for nine years without the permit.

But both the planning staff and the planning commission recommended approval of her application. The BOC’s motion, which passed unanimously, requires Taylor to have an inspection by the county’s fire marshal and also to obtain a business license. The home is licensed by the state to provide care for four developmentally disabled adults.

•the rezoning of 109 Arnold Road SE in Statham from AG to R1 to allow the applicant to sell a portion of his property.

•the sale of a 1997 surplus “sign truck” to the City of Auburn at a price of $25,000, which will be paid in two equal payments over two years. The proceeds are to be set aside for the purchase of new equipment for the roads department.

•the sale on govdeals.com of three 2000-model ambulances that are no longer operational. The BOC previously had approved the sale of two of the three vehicles.