Washington County Administrator Dustin Peebles announced the recommended architect for a potential Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project at the Commissioners’ Thursday, October 14 meeting.
As previously reported by WACO 100, Washington County Commissioners unanimously voted to apply for a Community Development Block Grant on behalf of the Washington County Health Department at their Thursday, September 9 meeting.
County Administrator Dustin Peebles explained during the September meeting that the application is to expand the local health department to allow for drive-thru COVID-19 testing and vaccinations. In addition, the grant would fund an expansion of the facility to include more examination rooms and to increase the parking lot area.
Morris Hutcheson, who serves as the Director of Project Development of the North Central Health District, discussed the grant with the Commissioners via telephone. Hutcheson explained that the grant is for $1 million; it will require a 10 percent match. He noted that if awarded, this will not have any impact on other Community Development Block Grant opportunities in the future.
After discussing the need for the expansion, Commissioners voted unanimously in September to proceed with the CDBG grant application on behalf of the Washington County Health Department.
As part of the grant process, the County sought requests for qualifications concerning architectural services for this potential project. The official award of the architectural contract for this project is contingent upon the grant being funded by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
County Administrator Peebles reported that the County received two responses for this potential project. He stated that those proposals were reviewed, and Carter Watkins Associates Architects, Inc. was deemed the most qualified for the project.
Commissioners asked if a vote was needed regarding this matter; it was explained that no action was needed at this time, but the recommendation should be made public.