Dalton City Council accepts $2.5 million in funding

Charles Oliver, The Daily Citizen, Dalton, Ga.
·2 min read

Feb. 21—The members of the Dalton City Council voted 3-0 on Monday to approve the transfer of $2.5 million from the fund balance of the Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority to the city government.

Council members Tyree Goodlett and Dennis Mock were absent.

Authority board members voted in December to transfer $5 million to the city and to Whitfield County because they believe the authority has a sufficient fund balance. The authority is owned by the city and the county. The county Board of Commissioners voted to accept the $2.5 million in January.

During a Finance Committee before the council meeting, council members agreed to apply that money to the renovation of the John Davis Recreation Center.

At a work session earlier this month, City Administrator Andrew Parker told the council members that an architect has completed plans for the estimated $12 million project. Those plans are now under review by the building inspector, the fire marshal, stormwater management and other permitting authorities.

The project's budget is above what was projected when it was planned four years ago. In addition to the funds from the solid waste authority, the council members plan to use money from a bond issued in 2021 as well as some of the excess collections from the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) for the rec center renovation as well as the resurfacing of city streets.

The council members also voted 3-0 to approve:

—A $119,711.90 change order to the ramp rehabilitation project at Dalton Municipal Airport for extensive remediation of poor soils encountered during construction.

—A $475 per hour contract with B&J Reed Construction of Chatsworth to remove bedrock so the Ridge Street Stormwater Bypass Project can proceed.

—A right of way encroachment at 505 N. Glenwood Ave. The owners of the property, where an AutoZone is located, plan to demolish a retaining wall, install a storm drain and replace multiple driveway aprons.

—A plan to install 90 feet of pipe to control stormwater runoff at 2251 Rocky Face Circle.