Forsyth County commissioners on Tuesday appointed four of five members to the public facilities authority, which will have its first meeting once the final person is named.

Each commissioner appoints one member for a term running concurrent with his own.

The appointees include Michael Gravitt, Edward Kroell, Paul Kreager and Richard Ward.

The state legislature and Gov. Sonny Perdue approved the authority's creation in 2008.

Once established, it can enter leases, contracts or other agreements, as well as issue bonds for county building purposes.

County Attorney Ken Jarrard has previously described the authority as a vehicle for the funding and construction of public facilities.

Also at their work session Tuesday, commissioners:

• Approved funding to 11 agencies and organizations that serve families and children for 2011 as recommended by the social services committee. The total amount of $407,000 is included in the county's general fund budget.


• Ratified an understanding with the state Department of Transportation for relocation and addition of water infrastructure on a new Hwy. 20 bridge over the Chattahoochee River.

The total cost of the project is estimated at $334,000, plus about $33,000 for design work. The state's project start date is December 2012.


• Entered an agreement with the DOT for the project framework for the widening of Bethelview Road from Hwy. 9 to Castleberry Road. Construction is expected to begin in March 2012.


• Accepted a grant from the state Department of Natural Resources for a stream restoration project at Midway Park. The DNR will contribute $260,000 and the county will provide $173,333.


• Awarded a bid for improvements, including the addition of turn lanes, on Hwy. 53 at Chestatee Heights and Truman Mountain roads. Reid & Reid Contractors' bid was for about $965,000.


• Changed the county's sewer refund policy to allow criteria under which a refund on reserved sewer capacity could be granted. Commissioners Jim Boff and Todd Levent opposed the measure.


• Postponed discussion of the Taubman development agreement. Commissioner Patrick Bell opposed the delay.


Note: All votes were 5-0 unless otherwise noted.