Liberty County is the recipient of nearly $200,000 in grant money from Georgia that will allow it to retrofit government buildings with more energy-efficient materials, according to county administrator Joey Brown, who announced the grant at last week’s regular county commission meeting.
“We have to write an energy plan for all government buildings,” Brown said. Once in place, the grant — a product of the state’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program — will help the county meet the goals outlined in that plan.
“Many local governments throughout Georgia are investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that will directly benefit their communities,” said Phil Foil, executive director of the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority. “I’m pleased that the EECBG program is helping local governments save money.”
GEFA received 84 applications for funds and awarded grants totaling $13.3 million to 64 communities for 57 projects. These funds will also help local governments meet Gov. Sonny Perdue’s energy challenge, in which he asked state agencies, municipal governments, businesses and residents to reduce energy consumption by 15 percent.
Wrecker ordinance revisions
In other meeting news, commissioners approved amendments to the county’s code governing wrecker services. The revised ordinance eliminates the need for a county fee and inspection, Brown said. He added that as of earlier this month, three services have met the requirements for providing towing in the county and two others are working toward meeting them.
Under the ordinance, light duty wrecker operators can charge $90 maximum per hour and $22.50 every quarter-hour after. Heavy duty wrecker operators can charge $175 maximum per hour and $43.75 every quarter-hour after.
Additionally, towing and recovery service operations must have an area designated for storing vehicles that have been moved, halted or transferred at the request of the county, its employees or any law enforcement officer. The area must be able to hold at least 25 vehicles, given standard-size vehicle dimensions of 7 feet by 16 feet.
Airport Road widening project changes
An amendment to project plans for the widening of SR 119, or Airport Road, were also approved during the meeting.
The changes, designed to help save money on the total cost of the project, came as recommendations from a value engineering study completed last October in conjunction with GDOT, according to a letter from the project engineering firm, Thomas & Hutton Engineering Co.
The study team recommended eight potential changes, and four were accepted — these four reportedly can save nearly $2 million on the total cost as well as possibly eliminate four residential displacements during the widening process. The total project cost was initially listed at roughly $19.7 million. Beginning in 2008, GDOT began requiring VE studies for any project priced at more than $10 million.
The changes reduce the median width by 4 feet and reduce the width of the inside travel lane by 1 foot, and they also alter center-line geometry through one of the curves, the letter states.
The VE study does come with an additional cost; however, the contract price increased to $864,940 from $680,441 as a result. Commissioners said the additional $145,500 will be paid through federal dollars.
“We have to write an energy plan for all government buildings,” Brown said. Once in place, the grant — a product of the state’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program — will help the county meet the goals outlined in that plan.
“Many local governments throughout Georgia are investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that will directly benefit their communities,” said Phil Foil, executive director of the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority. “I’m pleased that the EECBG program is helping local governments save money.”
GEFA received 84 applications for funds and awarded grants totaling $13.3 million to 64 communities for 57 projects. These funds will also help local governments meet Gov. Sonny Perdue’s energy challenge, in which he asked state agencies, municipal governments, businesses and residents to reduce energy consumption by 15 percent.
Wrecker ordinance revisions
In other meeting news, commissioners approved amendments to the county’s code governing wrecker services. The revised ordinance eliminates the need for a county fee and inspection, Brown said. He added that as of earlier this month, three services have met the requirements for providing towing in the county and two others are working toward meeting them.
Under the ordinance, light duty wrecker operators can charge $90 maximum per hour and $22.50 every quarter-hour after. Heavy duty wrecker operators can charge $175 maximum per hour and $43.75 every quarter-hour after.
Additionally, towing and recovery service operations must have an area designated for storing vehicles that have been moved, halted or transferred at the request of the county, its employees or any law enforcement officer. The area must be able to hold at least 25 vehicles, given standard-size vehicle dimensions of 7 feet by 16 feet.
Airport Road widening project changes
An amendment to project plans for the widening of SR 119, or Airport Road, were also approved during the meeting.
The changes, designed to help save money on the total cost of the project, came as recommendations from a value engineering study completed last October in conjunction with GDOT, according to a letter from the project engineering firm, Thomas & Hutton Engineering Co.
The study team recommended eight potential changes, and four were accepted — these four reportedly can save nearly $2 million on the total cost as well as possibly eliminate four residential displacements during the widening process. The total project cost was initially listed at roughly $19.7 million. Beginning in 2008, GDOT began requiring VE studies for any project priced at more than $10 million.
The changes reduce the median width by 4 feet and reduce the width of the inside travel lane by 1 foot, and they also alter center-line geometry through one of the curves, the letter states.
The VE study does come with an additional cost; however, the contract price increased to $864,940 from $680,441 as a result. Commissioners said the additional $145,500 will be paid through federal dollars.