MoCo Commission Opens RFQ Process for Park Rehabilitation
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J.M. Fountain Park – home of the Montgomery County Recreation Department – will soon receive a complete renovation, as the County has received a $3 million grant from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to rehabilitate the facility. Commissioners took the first step in the process during their regular monthly meeting on Monday, May 13, as they voted to open the Request for Qualifications process to select an engineering firm for the project.
In the Request, commissioners state that they are seeking an engineering firm capable of completing the preliminary design services for the rehabilitation of the recreation complex, as well as the implementation of those plans. Companies interested in the project will submit a multitude of information, including their experience, qualifications, and current workload. All questions and Statements of Qualifications must be accompanied by three proposal packages for the project, and are due by 11 a.m. on Friday, June 14.
In the weeks after June 14, commissioners will review the submissions and vote in a later meeting to select a firm.
Commissioners also approved several contract renewals, including the behavioral health contract for the local facility, the funding agreement between the Commission and the Community Service Board of Middle Georgia, and the funding of the Montgomery County Department of Family and Children Services for FY25.
The Commission agreed to purchase a used van for the County’s 4-H organization, and to reassign the current 4-H van to the Road Department to be used for inmate detail services. To prepare the van for this new purpose, the vehicle must be outfitted with a cage, amber lights, bars, and vinyl over the cloth seats. These renovations are estimated to cost between $4,000 and $5,000.
County roads were a popular topic of discussion during the meeting, as Commissioners agreed to provide additional funds for inflationary costs in the current Sawmill Road repaving, which is being funded through the Transportation Special Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST). This is just a formal procedure to increase the funds received from TSPLOST and will not cost the county anything. In addition to this, the Commission authorized the installation of license plate readers near Montgomery State Prison along Alston-Mount Vernon Road and Spur 56. These readers were requested by the Prison and will be paid for by the Georgia Department of Corrections.
Commissioners also agreed to apply for the U.S. Department of Transportation Safe Streets Grant, which is given to communities across the nation to help reduce the number of traffic fatalities. Approximately 50% of these grants are issued to rural communities.
