Fayette County commissioners approve $4.23 million generators, camera contract and delegate settlement authority

FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. — The Fayette County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 11 approved multiple administrative contracts and an administrative delegation aimed at strengthening county infrastructure and streamlining small-claims settlements.

The Board voted 5-0 to award Contract No. 2535-P to Georgia Power for the purchase and installation of two natural-gas generators and a transfer switch at the Crosstown Water Treatment Plant for a not-to-exceed $4,228,090.00. Vanessa Tigert, the county’s Water Systems Director, said most of the project would be covered by a FEMA/GEMA grant and that the plant’s existing generator, installed in the late 1980s, "could not keep up" with the facility’s growth and needed updating to sustain operations during a significant electrical outage. Vice Chairman Edward Gibbons moved to approve the contract; Commissioner Charles W. Oddo seconded. The motion passed 5-0.

In the same meeting the Board approved Contract #2532-P with A3 Communications, Inc., for security camera system maintenance and support in a not-to-exceed amount of $125,894. County officials said the system has grown to 255 cameras in 15 locations across the county and that external cameras typically last about six to eight years. The contract bundles annual maintenance (identified in backup as roughly $68,544), an estimated $7,350 support cost, and an allowance of about $50,000 for camera replacements; the request included a $100,894 transfer from the General Fund contingency to the Capital Improvement Project account to cover the full update. Commissioner Eric K. Maxwell asked about a missing bid-evaluation score sheet; County Administrator Steve Rapson said the sheet had been completed but was inadvertently omitted from the backup and would be provided to the Board. Vice Chairman Gibbons moved the contract; Commissioner Oddo seconded; the motion passed 5-0.

The Board also approved an annexation notification from the Town of Brooks for Parcel Nos. 0407 013 and 0407 013B, totaling 46.064 acres fronting Hardy Road. Planning and Zoning Director Deborah Bell said county staff had no formal objection but noted engineering concerns about site access flagged by the engineering department. Vice Chairman Gibbons moved to accept the notification; Commissioner Oddo seconded; the motion passed 5-0.

Finally, the Board voted 5-0 to delegate settlement authority to the County Manager for individual claims not exceeding $5,000. Administrator Steve Rapson said the delegated authority is intended to speed resolution of common, low-dollar claims (mailbox or signage damage, vehicle damage from debris, water-leak cleanup) and that he would notify commissioners by email when he approves settlements. Commissioner Charles D. Rousseau asked whether the Board would receive a report on settlements; Rapson said he would provide notifications by email and acknowledged the Board’s interest in oversight.

Votes at a glance
- Contract No. 2535-P (Emergency generators, Crosstown Water Treatment Plant): mover — Vice Chairman Edward Gibbons; second — Commissioner Charles W. Oddo; outcome — approved 5-0.
- Contract #2532-P (Security camera maintenance, A3 Communications, Inc.): mover — Vice Chairman Edward Gibbons; second — Commissioner Charles W. Oddo; outcome — approved 5-0.
- Annexation notification (Town of Brooks; Parcel Nos. 0407 013 and 0407 013B, 46.064 acres): mover — Vice Chairman Edward Gibbons; second — Commissioner Charles W. Oddo; outcome — approved 5-0.
- Delegation of settlement authority (claims ≤ $5,000): mover — Vice Chairman Edward Gibbons; second — Commissioner Charles W. Oddo; outcome — approved 5-0.

The Board also approved the Consent Agenda (which included adding Arbrovale Phase II Subdivision to the county street light program and the county’s proposed 2026 LMIG project list) and approved several executive session minutes. Administrator Rapson provided a brief "Hot Projects" update on capital projects, including Starrs Mill Tunnel and other infrastructure items. The Board recessed into executive session at 5:20 p.m. and returned at 5:47 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 5:48 p.m.

Next steps for the generator project include vendor procurement and grant administration; staff indicated the FEMA/GEMA grant would cover the majority of the cost. The security-camera contract will be punctuated by the county’s delivery of the missing bid-evaluation score sheet to the Board.