A key multi-city project was given a go-ahead for TSPLOST funding from the county’s FY2022 budget at last week’s Greene County Board of Commissioners meeting.
The board approved the use of TSPLOST funding to increase the county’s funding for the popular Firefly Trail. The funding is projected to cover project costs in the unincorporated areas of the county.
These additional costs were not covered by the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program, which helped develop the project. The county’s original budget had set aside more than $1 million, which included a significant amount of grant funds. The present shortfall exceeds $200,000.
The Firefly Trail project is a planned 39-mile rail trail from Athens to Union Point, connecting Athens- Clarke, Oglethorpe and Greene counties. The trail will allow for pedestrians and bicyclists alike to further participate in activities and will include three bridges along the trail corridor with educational and informational signage. The meeting also included the passage of an FY2022 budget adjustment to meet maintenance expenditures under the Governmental Properties division of the budget. A proposed adjustment was made to allocate an additional $25,000 from a contingency fund to the Building Maintenance line item in the division.
The Greene County Arena Facility rental policy was reviewed once more following April’s Commissioners' meeting, approving a facilities rental agreement amendment. Commissioners voted to approve the adoption of further amending the policy in effect to decrease the required limits of insurance on each rental.
The Arena, located at 1180 C Weldon Drive, is home to several rodeo events sponsored by both the International Professional and Cowboy Rodeo associations.
The commissioners also approved extending the current board term of Barbara Johnson to the DFCS Advisory Board in Greene County for another five years.