The Polk County Board of Commissioners continues to view options for a widening project on Prospect Road after finding the total cost could be up to $20 million requiring a local expenditure of $4 to $5 million.

Chairman Marshelle Thaxton said he has met with representatives from the Georgia Department of Transportation and discovered how expensive the work would be to complete.

According to Thaxton, the funds were placed in the Georgia House of Representatives a few years ago and $800,000 was designated for Prospect Road in Polk County.

He said the money is specifically earmarked and cannot spent for or transferred to other road projects.

The widening project includes replacing a bridge and culvert, which requires an environmental study, engineering and other expenses.

In addition, there is right of way to be purchased and a family cemetery to be considered.

“We don’t have that kind of money to spend on this project and would need more federal dollars to get it done,” Thaxton said. “Right now, I can’t see us investing millions in one place when we have issues with other roads and bridges.”

He referred to the closure of bridges on Hill’s Creek and Little Harmony roads.

“I hope we are not seeing a trend begin,” Matt Denton, assistant county manager, said.

“We were not expecting these bridge closures and have to spend money and time to get the one on Hill’s Creek replaced. Now we must do the same on Little Harmony.”

The latter project will require a 15-foot fill over three nine-foot culvert pipes weighing 6,000 pounds each.

The work is described as being more than simply pulling out and replacing the pipes.

Denton said agreements from property owners to cut trees, remove fences, rent equipment and more will be needed before construction begins.

This project will be funded with $40,000 state and estimated $20,000 local money. Hopes are to begin replacement in January.

The road projects were viewed during the work session and regular November meeting of the Polk County Commissioners.

Other business

The group approved entering into an intergovernmental agreement with local municipalities for training facilities to be used by volunteer fire departments. This will be in exchange for providing Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds totaling $26,000 each toward construction and amend the budget to reflect the action taken.

They also gave the green light to an application by Deran Property Holdings, Inc. (Randy East and Dwayne Whitaker) for a special land permit.

The property involved is located at 985 Wimberly Hill Road and would include operation of a community baseball/softball pitching and hitting facility.

It will be known as “The Next Level Baseball and Softball Facility.”

In other business, the group voted in favor of the following:

Forgive $320 (County portion) of $1,152 in Magistrate Court filing fees incurred by the Polk County Water Authority.

Application for funds from GDOT for striping roads following repaving projects. Currently, striping is included in some state contracts but not others.

Re-appointed Curtis Vincent to the Northwest Georgia Region 1 Emergency Medical Services Council, Clinton Lester to the Polk Board of Health, Bobby Haney to the Industrial Development Authority, David Sullins, Steve Brumbelow and Jerry Forsyth to the Planning and Zoning Commission.