Screven County approves $536,481 in TSPLOST equipment purchases

The Screven County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 10 unanimously approved three purchases of heavy equipment funded by the county's Transportation SPLOST (TSPLOST). Commissioners approved a $186,933.06 dump truck from Roberts International Trucks, a John Deere 250 excavator with warranty for $274,547.88 from Dobbs Equipment, and $75,000 to acquire a backhoe.

Commissioner Allison Willis made the motion to buy the dump truck, Commissioner Edwin Lovett seconded it, and the motion carried by unanimous vote. Commissioner Rosa Romeo moved to approve the John Deere excavator; Commissioner J.C. Warren seconded that motion and it also passed unanimously. Commissioner Willis moved to allocate $75,000 for a backhoe; Commissioner Lovett seconded and the Board approved the purchase by unanimous vote.

The votes were recorded as unanimous among the commissioners present. Those listed on the attendance record as present at the Sept. 10 meeting were Chairman Will Boyd, Vice‑Chairman J.C. Warren, Commissioners Allison Willis, Rosa Romeo and Edwin Lovett, and Commissioner Ben Thompson (participating via Zoom); Commissioner Mike Dixon was absent.

County staff did not provide additional line‑item detail about how the purchases fit into the TSPLOST budget during the meeting transcript. Road Superintendent James Woods later reported that spot paving work would begin this week on recently repaired sections of county roads, which the new equipment is intended to support.

The Board's action moves the purchases forward; the transcript does not record delivery dates, trade‑ins, or any financing details beyond the listed purchase prices and vendors. The approval is recorded as a formal purchase authorization to be implemented by county staff.