Oconee Commissioners Approve Bids For New Water Tank

The Oconee County Board of Commissioners agreed on Tuesday, in a brief meeting closed to the public except through live-streaming because of the COVID-19 pandemic, to two contracts totaling $3.1 million for a new elevated water storage tank and pressure valves to improve water pressure in the Watkinsville area.

The Board approved a bid of $2,475,000 with Caldwell Tank Inc., of Louisville, Ky., for construction of the 750,000-gallon elevated water tank at the intersection of the US. 441 Bypass and Macon Highway (South Main Street).

It also approved the bid of $615,687 with Griffin Brothers Inc., of Maysville, in Banks and Jackson counties, for installation of five pressure reducing valves as part of the project.

In other action, the Board voted to move forward with a grant application for expansion of the Senior Center in Veterans Park and approved a bid for renovation of the Civic Center on Hog Mountain Road west of Butler’s Crossing.

Both the water project and Civic Center renovation will be covered by funds from the current Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax.

The Board of Commissioners will hold a virtual Town Hall meeting on Tuesday night to launch discussion of renewal of the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax in 2021 and Malcom Bridge Road improvements.

Citizens can submit question in advance and link in to view the meeting, which will begin at 6 p.m. Commission Chair John Daniell will preside.

The Oconee County Democratic Party also will hold its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday via live stream. Dr. Neal Priest, chief of the Emergency Room at St. Mary’s Hospital, and Amanda Davis, executive director of the Oconee Area Resource Council, will be guest speakers.

Fore more on the story, with a video of the meeting, please go to Oconee County Observations.