Pickens County hires consultant to prepare five‑year capital budget and referendum language

Pickens County commissioners authorized an engagement agreement with Rochester, a consulting firm, to prepare a five‑year capital budget and to develop draft language for potential referenda (described in the meeting as SWOS and TSWOS).

Chair (unnamed) introduced the item, noting the county has worked with Rochester on other projects and that the firm would assist with capital‑budget preparation and referendum language. “Unless you have any questions, I’d like to open up for a motion authorizing the chairman to sign that engagement,” the chair said. A motion was made and seconded and the board voted to authorize the chairman to execute the engagement.

The transcript does not include the consultant’s detailed scope beyond capital budget preparation and drafting referendum language; contract terms, including compensation and timelines, were not specified in the public remarks on the record. The board recorded the motion as carried and asked staff to proceed with signing the engagement.

Next steps: staff will finalize contract details with Rochester and proceed under the board’s authorization. Any public hearings or further board actions related to referenda language or capital projects were not announced during the session.