LaFayette, GA – Critics of the Walker County Board of Commissioners’ recent purchase of two heavy trucks for public works say they are unmoved from County Attorney Ken Gerard’s legal opinion that the board acted faithfully and with the expected fiduciary standard as required by Georgia law.
The question of proper county procurement protocol swirled throughout much of Thursday’s regularly scheduled meeting of the board.
Gerard made an in-person visit from his Forsyth County office to address the board publicly on the procurement question, as requested by Walker County Chairperson Angie Teems.
The issue was first raised by longtime commission watchdog Ned Yates, who points to slight differences in the vehicles initially proposed for purchase vis a vis the trucks actually bought by Walker County.
Gerard says there were additional purchase factors to consider beyond truck brand and model comparisons, noting the trucks ultimately bought were ready and immediately available for use.
“I am comfortable with the fact that you exercised your obligation to be a steward of the county’s money in a way that was appropriate. Did you have the right to select a vehicle that was a higher quality vehicle with perhaps a better maintenance cycle with perhaps a greater load capacity and longevity? You did,” concluded Gerard.
Later in the meeting’s public comment segment, Yates blasted the County Attorney’s contention that the $472,000 truck purchase was proper. Yates claims it was a violation of Walker County’s Enabling Act, pointing to an article 12 requirement of secured sealed bids on a purchase order greater than $100,000.
Gerard, who’s firm specializes in only representing local government entities, says many of his other clients work from a sole source vendor arrangement. He suggested the board investigate to avoid further confusion.
Yates believes the misstep proves the need for a forensic audit of Walker County’s finances, which he has repeatedly called for with previous commissions.
Another point of contention that was ultimately tabled for the next board meeting is the proposed rezoning request of a 100 acre parcel of land by the Walker County Development Authority. The Glass Street property, recently purchased for $1.2 million, is contiguous to the Walker County Industrial Park, and is part of the park’s planned expansion to attract new manufacturing.
Nearby residents say they’re against the rezoning request, citing greater traffic, noise, depreciating property values as well as diminished quality of life.
Commissioner Brian Hart asked for a continuance on the measure, to gather more information on the topic in which he says he sees both sides.
Commissioner Mark Askew seconded the tabling motion, but told critics of the rezoning request to not expect the land in question to return to its agricultural past now with a million dollar valuation.
In other commission moves, opioid settlement funds were approved for use by the Walker County Sheriff’s Office and Unified in Recovery.
The Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit’s Accountability Courts were the recipient of a Georgia Opioid Abatement Trust Grant as approved by commissioners.
A fifth iteration of the Walker County Retirement Plan was approved by commissioners in a unanimous vote, allowing the plan to be “unfrozen” for access for the first time since 2013.
In ceremonial actions, this year’s Senior Citizen’s Day was proclaimed by the Walker County Board of Commissioners as Saturday May 14th.
The board also declared the month of May as Historic Preservation Month.
The next regularly scheduled meet of the Walker County Board of Commissioners is set for Thursday, June 6th.
There is a Monday, June 2nd 9am work session for department heads to tender their budget requests to board members for the upcoming fiscal year.
By Vince Lennon