Catoosa County Commission moves to prevent duplication of services following citizens’ scrutiny

The Catoosa County Board of Commissioners listen to Dennis Thayer, the former emergency management and 911 director for Catoosa County, Tuesday, April 16, 2019, during his grievance hearing at the Catoosa County administrative office in Ringgold, Georgia. Thayer said the reasoning behind his firing was taken out of context. The Catoosa County Board of Commissioners listen to Dennis Thayer, the former emergency management and 911 director for Catoosa County, Tuesday, April 16, 2019, during his grievance hearing at the Catoosa County administrative office in Ringgold, Georgia. Thayer said the reasoning behind his firing was taken out of context.

By Sabrina Bodon January 7, 2020 2 min read

In recent months, Catoosa County residents have voiced a desire for tangible evidence of where county money goes and that contracted services are not being duplicated.

Prior to Dec. 17 – when county commissioners unanimously voted in favor of such a policy – the county did not have a formal agreement that stipulated how outside agencies could request money or be held accountable for meeting their contractual objectives.

County Manager Alicia Vaughn, Chief Financial Officer Carol Roberts and County Attorney Chad Young worked on the resolution, which outlines the terms, conditions and circumstances for funding requests from outside agencies.

This will establish clear lines to avoid duplicating services, said Young.

Residents have been critical of the county’s allocation of funds to the Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce, the county’s Economic Development Authority and the Northwest Georgia Joint Development Authority, all of which share a similar mission.