VALDOSTA – Lowndes County has been allocated over $1.3 million as a part of the Georgia Department of Transportation Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant program.
Chad McLeod, the county director of engineering services, said the total funds of $1,337,694.10 will be allocated for the 2024 fiscal year. Discussions were held during the board’s first meeting of the year.
Shared documents showed the county will be responsible for a minimum of 10% match in local funding. The match payment will be taken out of the SPLOST –Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax – fund.
Vice-Chair Commissioner Demarcus Marshall of District 4 asked, “When do we expect to begin on River Road?”
McLeod responded, “We do not have a contract right now with River Road.” He clarified that the application is solely for the funds. The county will begin the bid process for the projects once they receive the LMIG money.
Chairman Bill Slaughter notified the board that the proposed 10% match depends on the outcome when the 18-county region votes on the newest TIA – Transportation Investment Act — referendum.
Slaughter said, “I’ll also remind the commissioners as well that the 10% match comes from due to the region of 18 counties passing the TIA referendum. Other than that it would be a 30% match if we’re not in the TIA regional consortium.”
The referendum vote will occur in the May 21, 2024, general primary election.
The GDOT LMIG grant is a routine application the county completes to receive funds to resurface various county roads. The county does not currently have a specific list of the potential projects, according to Meghan Barwick, the public information officer.
The board of commissioners unanimously approved the application.