The Walker County Board of Commissioners approved several measures during its October 1 meeting, including a property swap that will help clear the way for a new home for Walker County Fire Rescue headquarters and Fire Station 1.
Commissioners approved Resolution R-069-26, authorizing a property exchange with the Walker County Development Authority.
Under the agreement, Walker County will transfer a 1.83-acre parcel at the corner of Highway 27 and Bicentennial Trail, where Fire Station 1 is currently located, to the Development Authority.
In exchange, the county will receive a 5.21-acre parcel at the corner of Old Highway 27 and Fields Drive in the Northwest Georgia Business and Industrial Park.
The larger property is planned as the future location of both Walker County Fire Rescue headquarters and Fire Station 1. Fire Rescue headquarters is currently located on Alex Drive off Highway 136 near Kensington, while Station 1 dates back to the late 1980s.
Funding for the relocation was included in the 2026 SPLOST approved by Walker County voters. The new SPLOST took effect October 1.
Commissioners also voted to begin the process of abandoning a section of right of way along Old Highway 27 at the Northwest Georgia Business and Industrial Park. A public hearing on the proposed abandonment is scheduled for November 5.
The board approved an $87,000 purchase order for milling, patching and resurfacing Ivy Street. The road is also scheduled for culvert repairs in early October before the resurfacing work takes place.
Commissioners approved Walker County’s 2027 holiday calendar as well. Holidays will generally be observed on their traditional dates. Independence Day and Christmas Day fall on weekends in 2027, so those holidays will be observed by the county on the following Mondays.
During her report, Walker County Chairwoman Angie Teems provided an update on the work of the county’s Data Center Development Standards Study Committee.
Teems also reported that restoration work following flood damage at the Local Government Services Building in Rock Spring is expected to be completed within the next few weeks.
Another update focused on Adventure Acres. A bridge has been installed over the park’s drainage trench to improve access between the parking lot and walking trail, including access for people walking dogs.