Lafayette, GA – Walker County Commission Chairwoman Angie Teems, just two months on the job, is seemingly finding local inspiration from DOGE overlord Elon Musk’s efforts nationally in eliminating wasteful government spending.
At the onset of Thursday night’s regularly scheduled meeting of the Walker County Board of Commissioners, Teems gave members a quick overview on her cost-cutting moves since being sworn into office. Teems claims to have realized one million dollars in savings in little more than a few weeks.
“From revolving invoices, I’ve canceled $4,000 monthly payments to a lobbying firm that hasn’t been accessed since 2022,” said Teems, estimating some $123,000 in savings going forward.
Teems also says Walker County will save an approximate $75,000 in lower insurance premium costs, after decommissioning 17 vehicles from the county’s transportation fleet.
Teems also says Walker County will soon be raising the rent to state occupied offices in county owned buildings. Teems says the rental rate to state agencies has been unchanged since 2013. Teems says the added revenue to the county should be roughly $100,000 annually.
But the biggest savings yet for Walker County may be renegotiating the county’s interest rate bond, which she says could mean as much as $800,000 in recouped costs to taxpayers.
Teems says she’s only begun her cost-cutting quest and will update the board with further savings as identified.
Longtime commission watchdog Ned Yates pressed Teems for an answer to his previously posed question as to the alleged “zero balance debt” left to her by predecessor, former Walker Chairman Shannon Whitfield. Teems confirmed that Whitfield indeed left her a zero-debt scenario upon her arrival and that she hopes to continue the same during her administration.
In regard to board action, there are slight changes coming to Walker County’s Employee Pension Plan, which is currently unfrozen for the first time since 2013. The plan’s trustee says an amendment to reflect an annuity option that was previously unavailable to those choosing an early retirement package. The newly amended plan should be available for the board’s review next month.
Commissioners approved a $293,000 allocation for the purchase of 7 new Durango pursuit vehicles for the Sheriff’s Office from the Sheriff’s SPLOST fund. Walker County Sheriff’s Captain Chris Anderson says in previous years, they could often buy as many as 10-12 new vehicles, but with the rising price of automobiles, they’re buying 7 Chryslers instead of a dozen Fords. Anderson said the LaFayette Jenkins dealership matched a lower bid that was submitted from a Cleveland, Georgia car dealer, realizing a savings of nearly $15,000 to the sheriff’s office.
One purchase item that has been tabled for two successive meetings is a $99,000 fuel systems upgrade to the county’s public works department. Commissioner Brian Hart wants to wait on more bids before approving the purchase order. The tabling motion passed unanimously for the April 7th board meeting.
As for county housekeeping, Teems says the worsening litter problem in Walker County will be addressed, with litter pick-up to be likely contracted out to a private vendor in the coming weeks.
One local non-profit is planning a countywide volunteer trash pick-up event for Saturday, March 22nd. Tina Cordle says volunteers should report to Fieldstone Village at 9:30 am and will be divided up into groups of four teams, each tackling roadside trash in a dedicated quadrant of Walker County.
If you’d like to participate in the volunteer litter pick-up project, you’re asked to call 423-421-1081.
By: Vince Lennon
