Commissioners are looking to a former state transportation official for help representing Forsyth County at the state and federal levels.
Following a 5-0 vote by the commission Tuesday, Mike Evans will provide consulting services to the county for a six-month period beginning May 21.
He will receive $5,000 per month for “a little consulting and a little lobbying” on the county’s behalf, according to Chairman Charles Laughinghouse.
Laughinghouse said Evans’ contribution will be timely in light of federal stimulus funds, which could soon become available.
“The idea was, ‘Let’s get somebody who knows the players and see if we can work something to get a little of the stimulus package as it comes down,’” Laughinghouse said.
The employment of Evans, former chairman of the state transportation board, could provide the county a “face and presence with the state and federal officials right now,” said County Attorney Ken Jarrard.
Laughinghouse said Evans is good for the position, “given his time spent in the state legislature and his contacts with personnel at the Department of Transportation.”
“He’ll do a little consulting and a little lobbying on our behalf,” Laughinghouse said.
Evans, who could not be reached for comment Wednesday, recently announced he would seek the 9th District congressional seat being vacated by Nathan Deal, who is running for governor.
Also Tuesday, the county commission approved the following:
• Agreement of administrative services with Blue Cross Blue Shield for the Forsyth County inmate medical program.
• Advertising intent to abandon right of way along a portion of Faircroft Drive off McGinnis Ferry Road.
• Acting as the fiscal agent for the caring communities for children and families grant. Passed 4-1 with Commissioner Jim Boff opposed.
• Request by the fire department to apply for a $650,000 grant from the Department of Homeland Security for a new pumper truck. County match would be $130,000.
• Applying for a Governor’s Office of Highway Safety Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic grant for $117,300 in federal funding with a county match of $78,200.
• A $3,500 Association of County Commissioners of Georgia health promotion and wellness incentive grant to enhance health and wellness of county employees.
• A $216,400 bid from Delta Municipal for water meter conversion kits for the water and sewer department.
• Go-ahead to proceed with seeking a master plan for the Wallace Tatum Property in an amount not to exceed $30,000. Plans could help determine how the green space property is divided. Passed 3-2 with Commissioners Jim Harrell and Boff opposed.
Note: All votes were 5-0 unless otherwise noted.
E-mail Frank Reddy at frankreddy@forsythnews.com.
Following a 5-0 vote by the commission Tuesday, Mike Evans will provide consulting services to the county for a six-month period beginning May 21.
He will receive $5,000 per month for “a little consulting and a little lobbying” on the county’s behalf, according to Chairman Charles Laughinghouse.
Laughinghouse said Evans’ contribution will be timely in light of federal stimulus funds, which could soon become available.
“The idea was, ‘Let’s get somebody who knows the players and see if we can work something to get a little of the stimulus package as it comes down,’” Laughinghouse said.
The employment of Evans, former chairman of the state transportation board, could provide the county a “face and presence with the state and federal officials right now,” said County Attorney Ken Jarrard.
Laughinghouse said Evans is good for the position, “given his time spent in the state legislature and his contacts with personnel at the Department of Transportation.”
“He’ll do a little consulting and a little lobbying on our behalf,” Laughinghouse said.
Evans, who could not be reached for comment Wednesday, recently announced he would seek the 9th District congressional seat being vacated by Nathan Deal, who is running for governor.
Also Tuesday, the county commission approved the following:
• Agreement of administrative services with Blue Cross Blue Shield for the Forsyth County inmate medical program.
• Advertising intent to abandon right of way along a portion of Faircroft Drive off McGinnis Ferry Road.
• Acting as the fiscal agent for the caring communities for children and families grant. Passed 4-1 with Commissioner Jim Boff opposed.
• Request by the fire department to apply for a $650,000 grant from the Department of Homeland Security for a new pumper truck. County match would be $130,000.
• Applying for a Governor’s Office of Highway Safety Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic grant for $117,300 in federal funding with a county match of $78,200.
• A $3,500 Association of County Commissioners of Georgia health promotion and wellness incentive grant to enhance health and wellness of county employees.
• A $216,400 bid from Delta Municipal for water meter conversion kits for the water and sewer department.
• Go-ahead to proceed with seeking a master plan for the Wallace Tatum Property in an amount not to exceed $30,000. Plans could help determine how the green space property is divided. Passed 3-2 with Commissioners Jim Harrell and Boff opposed.
Note: All votes were 5-0 unless otherwise noted.
E-mail Frank Reddy at frankreddy@forsythnews.com.