After some debate Wednesday, Hamilton County commissioners authorized $3.7 million for various maintenance projects at local schools, including paving, roof repairs, security upgrades and boiler and chiller replacements.
Commissioner Joe Graham, R-Lookout Valley, had asked commissioners to use up to $100,000 of that funding to hire engineers to develop more precise estimates for the project costs. That amendment failed in an 8-2 vote with Graham and Commissioner Mike Chauncey, R-East Ridge, voting in favor of setting aside those dollars. Commissioner Warren Mackey, D-Lake Vista, was absent.
The resolution had initially been for more than $3.3 million, but commissioners Wednesday added $350,000 for an HVAC replacement at Hixson High School at the request of Commissioner Ken Smith, R-Hixson.
“Ronald Reagan said, ‘Trust but verify,'” Graham told commissioners during a meeting Wednesday. “There is no way to verify this list. None whatsoever. These are numbers that are educated guesses.”
Graham said it would be an opportunity for commissioners to set a precedent to ensure the county is spending money on projects that have been properly vetted. Superintendent Justin Robertson told commissioners Wednesday that would further delay needed building repairs, adding the funding request follows county, state and school board procurement policies.