NEWTON COUNTY—On the Feb. 2 Newton County Board of Commissioners assembly, the commissioners unanimously authorised various gadgets associated to fireside providers and infrastructure initiatives.
Newton County Hearth Providers (NCFS) was given the go-ahead to use for a number of grants.
A Congressionally Directed Spending Program Grant, an Help to FireFighters Grant and a Firehouse Subs Grant are being sought to enhance medical tools within the division. Particularly, the latter two grants will assist NCFS buy Lucas CPR gadgets.
NCFS additionally obtained approval to use for the FEMA Hearth Prevention and Security Grant of $180,000. If awarded, NCFS indicated that the cash can be used to buy a brand new hearth security schooling trailer. As a part of the grant necessities, the county must match 5% of the grant, which is $9,000.
In search of to construct a 3rd Life Jacket Loaner Station to assist forestall drownings, NCFS requested board approval to use for the $5,000 Walmart Group Grant. Two Life Jacket Loaner Stations have been put in at Manufacturing facility Shoals Park in September 2025, stocked with grownup, child and youth life vests. These stations have been additionally funded by a Walmart grant.
NCFS additionally obtained commissioner approval to buy a brand new Heavy Rescue Equipment for over $1.3 million and required tools for $500,000. Per the assembly agenda, the acquisition can be funded by means of the Capital Fund.
Moreover, NCFS obtained approval to use for a Dwelling Hearth Sprinkler Coalition Grant.
Through the assembly’s designated time for public enter, a resident counseled NCFS for its efforts to search out and apply for grants.
“I’d prefer to silently applaud our hearth chief for going after grants,” mentioned Dennis Taylor. “Grants is what relieves the strain off property tax and small companies, and he’s—I’ve been right here time and time, and he’s going after these grants. These grants assist him get his folks what they should work with and that helps us, as residents of Newton County, for them to guard us safely.”
Commissioners additionally voted to maneuver ahead with two Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs).
The primary was between the board of commissioners and the College of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Interim County Supervisor James Brown advised the board that this was a recurring annual contract to help Newton County Extension Workplace’s providers.
The second MOU is with the Georgia Division of Transportation. On this MOU, the commissioners agreed that the county will contribute $75,000 to the Henderson Mill Street Bridge Substitute Undertaking.
Per the agenda, the funding for this challenge was budgeted. The bridge challenge is roughly one mile north of the Newton/Jasper County line.
The commissioners additionally licensed the chairman to execute an settlement for Section 1 of the 2025 Bridge Upkeep and Restore Undertaking. The settlement is with Comanche Building of Georgia, LLC.
The agenda states that the whole price is over $1.7 million. Of that, $1 million was budgeted and can be utilized from the overall fund. The remaining $727,806.85 is funded from the 2023 SPLOST.
In his capability as director of water assets, Brown additionally spoke on two gadgets associated to the Williams Road Water Therapy plant, which is within the strategy of being decommissioned.
One agenda merchandise was the consideration of the Stantec Building Skilled Providers contract for over $1.9 million in pre-construction providers and over $1.7 million in post-construction providers. Funding for this challenge is ready to return from the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA), which is budgeted.
Because of the excessive price, the board is not going to vote on this merchandise till two readings, so no motion has been taken on it but.
“That is the engineering providers to—so we’ve to have engineers to design the deconstruction, the rehabilitation to Metropolis Pond, and this additionally goes to do the rehabilitation to the uncooked water pump station and diverting that water to Lake Varner,” Brown mentioned.
A second comparable merchandise was the consideration of Reeves & Younger contract for Building Supervisor at Danger Providers. This price is $75,000, additionally budgeted and funded by way of GEFA.
Being of a decrease price, this merchandise obtained unanimous board approval.
