Cornelia commissioners approved the city’s estimated millage rollback rate at their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday. The rate of 9.5 mills is the same as Cornelia’s current millage rate.
Under a new Georgia law, HB 581, the estimated rollback rate must be placed on tax assessment notices.
Bid threshold raised
Also, at their June 3 meeting, commissioners amended the city’s financial policy to require sealed bids on public works projects over $250,000. The change is in keeping with the state’s recommendation in HB 137.
Cornelia’s previous bidding threshold was $100,000.
Contracts awarded
The city commission awarded Higgins Construction the contract to replace the water lines in the Magnolia and East Walnut subdivisions. Cornelia City Manager Dee Anderson says Higgins was the lowest bidder at $899,290.
“Because the low bid amount was less than the [$1 million] grant amount and we pledged a 74% match, we are working with the DCA to determine how much grant funds we will use for the project,” Anderson said. “We are requesting that they allow us to reduce our match portion to $439,843 and use $877,947 in grant funds.”
Other approved items included changing the city’s third-party utility bill printing company to Infosend and a quote to replace the gate controller at the Utilities Maintenance Shop for $11,015.78.
