Hills Creek Bridge will soon be replaced so that traffic can resume along the county route in northeast Polk County near Taylorsville.

The Polk County Board of Commissioners has approved an engineering design contract to replace the structure.

The group voted to accept the bid submitted by Heath & Lineback Engineers, Inc., which will provide engineering design services to replace the bridge.

The preliminary cost estimate for engineering and construction of this project is not expected to exceed $500,000, which will be paid with Special Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds. Work is expected to be complete and the bridge open by the end of this year.

Commissioner Larry Rey-nolds, bid committee, said the bridge would be pre-built off site. “If another option was chosen,” he said, “it could take up to four years to finish. People living in this area should not have to wait that long for the bridge to be completed.”

The county board also approved a bid to replace a failing piece of equipment used by the Public Works Shop to service automotive air-conditioning systems.

BelCo Enterprises submitted a low bid, totaling $3,360. Commissioners voted in favor of the proposal.

Funds are available in the existing Public Works budget to cover the purchase.

An amendment to the Animal Control Ordinance was approved, which provides that animals brought to the shelter will be retained according to the following rules:

Animals will be kept for five working days beginning the day after being turned in or picked up if adoptable by breed or condition, appear to have had good care, in good health or have a collar.

A minimum of three days beginning the day after being picked up or turned in will apply to animals judged not adoptable or are deemed sick and have no sign of ownership.

Commissioners adopted an amendment to the County Code, which details policy for removal of beaver dams. The document shows the following:

County work forces shall be authorized to remove a beaver dam when it is causing water to adversely impact or damage a county road or right of way, a signed easement is obtained from the property owner and a written work order is issued by the Commissioner’s Office.

Commissioners approved continued membership in the Highway 27 Association, which made application to and received funds for a marketing study for the 352 miles of the highway.

The grant totaled $62,000 with $16,000 used from membership fees for a match.

The marketing study was launched on May 18 and input will be sought to help develop ideas for the project.

The board also approved:

-- An application by Ms. Beverly Cline and Ms. Michelle Monday for a special land use permit to operate a variety shop at the former location of Mary’s Health Cupboard, located on Highway 278. The shop will be known as “Little Country Store”.

-- A pawnshop license application, submitted by Steven Arrington. The business, Elm Street Pawn, will be located at 968 Cedartown Highway, Rockmart.

-- A beverage license application, submitted by Asif Paracha, for the mini mart formerly known as Dawson’s Texaco. The business is located at 1999 Rockmart Highway, Cedartown.