County Manager Mark GibsonDALTON, Ga. – Whitfield County commissioners approved nearly $14,000 in emergency funds Monday to repair a communications tower snapped by a recent storm.
The tower was repaired temporarily after the storm nearly three weeks ago, but Tri-County Communications has been hired to make permanent repairs, County Manager Mark Gibson told the commissioners during a specially called meeting. The storm broke off about 60 feet of the 90-foot tower, impairing emergency communications, he said.
County officials are looking to see if an existing grant can be used to cover the cost of the repairs, he said, but until that is determined, the emergency funding will be used.
Commissioners also approved housing rehabilitation policies and procedures for an $800,000 community development block grant for the Sherwood Forest Subdivision in southern Whitfield County.
The grant, awarded last year, will be used for sewer improvements and private property rehabilitation in the low-income neighborhood. The clay soil in the area has caused problems for residents for years, according to authorities.
Gaile Jennings, executive director for the Dalton-Whitfield County Community Development Corp., also asked officials to change slightly requirements for the ongoing Community Investment Program. The program is using a $300,000 grant to rebuild seven dilapidated homes in the county.
To be eligible for the housing, residents’ income must be 30 percent of the county’s median income level. Jennings asked commissioners to raise the eligibility requirement to 40 percent, and they agreed.
County commissioners met in an executive session to discuss land purchases and personnel issues after the open meeting.
Contact Mariann Martin at 706-980-5824 or mmartin@timesfreepress.com.