CORNELIA — The Cornelia City Commission approved several infrastructure and public safety measures Tuesday, including a half-million-dollar paving project, the purchase of license plate reader cameras and updates to the city’s water and sewer tap fee schedule.
The commission also approved contracts tied to Community Development Block Grant projects and an emergency HVAC replacement at the Cornelia Community House.
Paving project approved
Commissioners awarded the city’s 2026 paving contract to Georgia Paving LLC, the lowest of four bidders, in the amount of $506,717.21.
City Manager Donald Anderson said the project includes resurfacing Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Rosa Parks Drive and Tower Terrace, along with construction of a new sidewalk on Second Street connecting Elrod Street to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
“We received four bids for the 2026 paving project,” Anderson said. “Carter & Sloope has reviewed the bids and is recommending that you award the project to Georgia Paving LLC.”
Flock cameras purchased
The commission unanimously approved the purchase of four Flock Safety license plate reader cameras for the Cornelia Police Department following a trial period.
Anderson said the cameras have proven to be a valuable investigative tool.
“Our trial period for the Flock cameras is coming to an end. They have proven to be a very helpful tool for our police department,” he said.
The city will retain cameras at the Ga. 365 and Business U.S. 441 off-ramps, near City Park on Wally Street and on Level Grove Road across from the Days Inn. The City Park camera may be relocated to the park entrance.
The cost will be $14,500 for the first year and $13,000 annually afterward. The police department will use $10,000 from its forfeiture account to cover most of the first-year cost, with the remaining funds coming from the department’s equipment budget.
Utility tap fee update
Commissioners also approved updates to the city’s water and sewer tap fee schedule after the cost of large water meters increased.
Anderson said the city’s supplier, Delta Municipal Supply, raised the price for meters measuring three inches and larger.
“As a result, we’re proposing that the cost of these meters be increased on our water and sewer tap fee schedule,” Anderson said.
The city does not add a markup to the meters.
“We don’t make any profit on the meters,” he said. “We charge exactly what we pay.”
CDBG administration and engineering
The commission also selected Carter & Sloope to serve as the city’s grant administrator and engineering firm for Community Development Block Grant projects.
Anderson said the city received five responses to its request for proposals.
“Staff has reviewed the responses and checked the references for each firm,” he said “Based on this, staff recommends that we use Carter & Sloope based on their experience, and their fees were the lowest.”
Mayor John Borrow praised the recommendation.
“That is a win-win right there, in my humble opinion,” Borrow said.
Community House repair
Commissioners approved an emergency replacement of the HVAC unit at the Cornelia Community House after the aging furnace could no longer be repaired.
Anderson said the system dates to the 1980s, and city crews were unable to find replacement parts after several weeks of attempts.
The city received a quote from Dockery’s to remove the old unit — located in the attic — and install a new system at a cost of $21,881.
Because reservations had begun to cancel due to the heating issue, Anderson approved the expense as an emergency repair under the city’s financial policies.
The project will use $8,000 previously budgeted for refinishing the building’s hardwood floors, with the remaining cost coming from the Community House fund balance.
Technology fee approved
Commissioners also approved a resolution establishing a technology fee for Cornelia Municipal Court cases.
The fee allows the court to add up to $10 to fines and other case dispositions. The money must be kept in a separate account and used only for court or law enforcement technology, such as computer hardware, software and reporting systems.
City manager’s report
During his monthly report, Anderson noted that Cornelia marked its 36th consecutive year as a Tree City USA community. The city planted two October Glory maple trees at the new Front Street parking lot on Feb. 20 in observance of Arbor Day.
“This is a huge accomplishment because this designation is not easy to obtain,” Anderson said.
Anderson also reported that the public notice for the city’s proposed charter amendment ran in the Feb. 27 edition of the Northeast Georgian as the city works with state lawmakers to advance legislation amending the charter.
The city recently hosted a blood drive that collected 18 units of whole blood and three units of double red cells, which Anderson said could potentially save more than 60 lives.
The city is also preparing to begin work on the Ward 1 infrastructure project. Construction is expected to start March 9 and take approximately nine months to complete.
