Blue Ridge City Council members have agreed to invest over $1 million in street and sidewalk repairs, but the agreement came with the need for an amendment to the city’s budget.
Johnson Paving submitted the low bid of $1,101,558.12 for the work.
When City Administrator Eric Soroka presented the low bid to the council for approval July 31, Councilwoman Angie Arp raised the question as to whether or not the total as well over the original budgeted amount.
Soroka acknowledged Arp’s concern, and pointed out at the time the budget was prepared the streets to be paved had not been selected. He said some of the lengths in the selection process had been “longer than expected.”
With that, Soroka pointed out the council would have to approve a budget amendment in order to fund the contract.
After council members approved the contract, they also approved a budget amendment that moves $251,558 from the General Fund balance and $400,000 from the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) fund to pay for the paving and sidewalk improvement.
Streets to be paved include, Depot Street from Old Highway 76 to West First Street, East First Street from East Second Street to the Highway 76 Connector. 1, West Main Street from Church Street to north of Depot Street, Industrial Park Drive from Ada Street to Windy Ridge, and, McKinney Street from West First Street to Old Highway 76.
Portions of sidewalks will be fixed along Mountain Street, Depot Street, West Main Street, East Main Street, Church Street, and Summit Street.