July 15, 2021
Board of
Commissioners
Board Approves T-SPLOST Intergovernmental Agreements with Cities
Regular Meetings July 20th, 6:30 p.m. August 3rd, 9:00 a.m. Meetings held at: Administration Building Community Room 140 Henry Parkway McDonough, GA 30253 Regular Commission meetings air daily on Henry TV Spectrum Channel 180 at 9 a.m. & 7 p.m. or
The Henry County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution in a 5-1 vote, with District V Commissioner Bruce Holmes in opposition, approving an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the Cities of Stockbridge, McDonough, Locust Grove and Hampton for a Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (T-SPLOST). The action came at the July 7 Commission meeting. County Manager Cheri Hobson-Matthews and Transportation Planning visit henrytvonline.com for other viewing options. Director Sam Baker presented the final IGA with project lists from all four cities and highlighted changes that were made from last month’s workshop meeting. Major transportation widening projects such as Jonesboro Road, Rock Quarry Road, Bill Gardner Parkway, Fairview Road, and McDonough Parkway will be part of the large-scale investment. Other projects include resurfacing, intersection improvements, sidewalks and bike lanes across the county. Hobson-Matthews said that once the approved IGA is shared and accepted by each of the respective cities, staff will bring the IGA back before the board so that commissioners can call for a T-SPLOST referendum at the July 20 Commission meeting. “The cities have worked very hard to partner on projects that they can collaborate on and I have heard from at least three city managers that said that they don’t foresee any issues happening once they take the IGA to their respective cities,” said Hobson-Matthews. “I think we are headed in the right direction in moving to the next step.” For more information or to view the meeting in its entirety, visit henrycountyga.com/watchTV or log onto the Henry County Facebook page.
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July 15, 2021
Published by Henry County Communications & Public Information Department Henry County Government
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Notice of Called Meetings - Millage Hearings
Tuesday, July 20, 2021 @ Tuesday, July 27, 2021 @ 10:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. • (Public Hearing – Called • (Public Hearing and BOC Meeting) Adoption – Called BOC Tuesday, July 20, 2021 @ Meeting 6:30 p.m. • (Public Hearing – During Regular BOC Meeting) henrycounty-ga.org
Cannon Sworn In as District III Commissioner Commissioner Greg Cannon was sworn in as the District III Commissioner by Probate Judge Kelley Powell at the Henry County Probate Court on Tuesday, July 6. Cannon is the CEO and co-owner of Cannon Cleveland Funeral Directors and is active in the Henry County community through a variety of Boards
and initiatives. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Rotary Club, was the Chairperson of the Stewardship Committee for McDonough Presbyterian Church, and served on Sacred Journey Hospice’s Foundation Board of Directors.
Cotton Fields Golf Course to Re-open on August 2
Renovations underway for a new and improved golf experience Henry County’s Cotton Fields Golf Course will remain temporarily closed for course maintenance and renovations but is expected to reopen to the public on Monday, August 2. Although the course is closed, the driving range will remain open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. At the end of the renovation period, golfers
will be pleased to find improved cart paths, enhanced fairways and greens, including newly sodded turf, and restored bunkers. For more information on Cotton Fields Golf Course, visit www.cottonfieldsgolf.com or call 770-9141442.
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July 15, 2021 Board Approves Agreements, Purchases and More The Henry County Board of Commissioners approved several resolutions at the July 7 Commission meeting. Items approved include: • Emergency Management Agency resolutionapproved the renewal of the L3Harris Radio System Maintenance Agreement in the amount of $80,000 for fiscal year 2021/2022. Funding for this radio system maintenance was included in this budget year. • Sheriff’s Office resolution- accepted an equipment award grant valued at $91,956 from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. • Fire Department resolution- accepted a grant from the Georgia Trauma Commission in the amount of $14,943 to purchase trauma equipment and emergency medical supplies • Police Department resolution- approved a threeyear agreement between ICU Technologies and Henry County Police Department for the purchase of Fusus Real Time Crime Center software program in the amount of $287,153.64. • Risk Management resolution- accepted a grant from the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) in the amount of $10,000 for safety items in efforts to reduce workers’ compensation claims. • Stormwater resolution- approved a purchase of three sweeper vehicles from Tymco, Inc. with a three-year maintenance plan. The total cost of lease/purchase for the sweepers and maintenance is $652,204.11. • Leisure Services resolution- awarded a bid contract to USA SHADE and Fabric Structures for the purchase of a shade structure to cover outdoor workout equipment at Village Park in the amount of $40,746.00 using funds
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from the Capital Improvement Plan. • Courts resolution- approved Drug Abuse Treatment and Education Funds in the amount of $95,000 for the purpose of supporting the Henry County Misdemeanor DUI/Drug Court. • SPLOST resolution- approved naming the county property located at 1935 Panola Road, Ellenwood, Georgia in District 5 “Village United Soccer/Lacrosse Park.” • Transit Resolution- approved the Department of Human Services contract for fiscal year 2022 for transportation services provided to elderly and disabled individuals in the amount of $458,954.40. • Human Resources resolution- approved the proposed amended agreement with Everside Health, formally known as Healthstat, Inc. to allow Henry County Government retirees and their spouses to utilize the Henry Cares Wellness Center. • Board of Elections and Registration resolutionapproved the creation and appointment of committee members and/or Board of Commissioners, if they choose to participate, on the Board of Elections and Registration. • County Manager resolution- approved the use of fireworks for two Bicentennial events—Picnic in the Park on July 30 at J.P. Moseley Park and the Christmas Tree Lighting and Unity Event on December 3 at Nash Farm Park. For more information or to view the meeting in its entirety, visit co.henry.ga.us/watchTV or log on to the Henry County Facebook page.
Purple Innovation to Add Customer Service Call Center and More Than Double Advanced Manufacturing Workforce in Henry County Recently, Governor Brian P. Kemp announced Purple Innovation, Inc. (“Purple”), a comfort technology company known for creating the Purple® Mattress, will expand its operations in McDonough, Georgia, and create an additional 500 jobs across production, fulfillment, customer care, and other areas of the business. This comes on the heels of the company’s commitment last year to create more than 360 jobs in Henry County. Once the expansion is complete, the company will employ more than 800 Georgians. “After recently being admitted to the Georgia Made program, it’s great to see this company already thriving and expanding here in Georgia,” said Governor Kemp. “I want to thank Purple for their commitment to creating an additional 500 jobs for hardworking Georgians and for making the Peach State a key player in their all-American success story.” Purple’s mission is to help people feel better through innovative comfort products like mattresses, pillows, and seat cushions. Purple’s cushion products are designed, manufactured, and assembled in the U.S., and the company is further expanding its manufacturing operations to meet consumer demand. “Purple is thrilled to expand our footprint across the country to better serve our customers and create jobs in Henry County,” said Purple CEO Joe Megibow. “We know that Georgia is the right place to add these important roles as we build on the incredible foundation we’ve established with Governor Kemp and Henry County.” The expansion of the company’s current facility will be utilized as a customer care center, slated to open in the spring of 2022. This will also allow Purple to expand production with additional Mattress Max™ Machines —Purple’s proprietary production machinery— and assembly equipment. New positions
created will include customer care representatives, training and content specialists, and quality assurance analysts. Individuals interested in career opportunities with Purple can visit purple.com/careers for additional information. “A year ago, we welcomed the news that Purple Innovation chose Henry County for its first production facility outside of its home state of Utah,” said Henry County Board of Commissioners Chair Carlotta Harrell. “We are honored that they have not only chosen to expand their manufacturing facility, but will add one of their other business units in the new customer care center to the Henry County campus.” “We take a lot of pride when one of our established industries expands in Henry County,” said Chairman of the Henry County Development Authority Pierre Clements. “Purple Innovation doubling their manufacturing footprint and adding a customer care center to their Henry County campus proves that our efforts in leveraging our strong supply chain position to grow our advanced manufacturing and professional services sectors are working. We want to thank Purple for their continued investments with us.” The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) was represented in this competitive project by Senior Project Manager Amanda Fields in partnership with the Henry County Development Authority, the Metro Atlanta Chamber, Georgia Quick Start, and Georgia Power. “Within a year of announcing their first location, it is exciting to share the news that Purple is expanding again,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “This innovative, Georgia Made company will continue to impact lives across the country from right here in McDonough, and I know this is just the beginning of the success and good news we will hear from Purple. Continued on page 9
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July 15, 2021 HCWA Releases Water Quality Report to Instill Consumer Confidence
Annual document available online provides evidence of drinking water safety
Bridget Graham, HCWA Water Quality and Compliance Supervisor, conducts tests inside the Tussahaw Water Plant Laboratory to make sure the Authority’s water quality meets or exceeds all regulatory standards for safety.
With the uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic over the past 15 months, customers of the Henry County Water Authority (HCWA) can take comfort in knowing that the quality of their drinking water is not something they have to worry about, evident in the release of the 2021 Henry County Water Quality Report. The HCWA’s annual Water Quality Report, which is also referred to within the industry as a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), is available now for review on the utility’s website at www.hcwa. com. The Report’s results reveal that the HCWA is in complete compliance with all regulatory requirements for drinking water safety. The Authority had no violations of the industry’s drinking water quality standards this past year.
The results of the 2021 Henry County Water Quality Report attempt to provide the public with a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into making HCWA water the cleanest and safest tap water possible. With water professionals among those essential workers continuing to show up during the pandemic, their dedication and professionalism are reflected in the lab results that revealed no violations of drinking water quality standards during one of the most challenging years in which to operate a public water utility, according to Authority officials. “We are pleased to provide the annual results of our Water Quality Report to the public, to assure them that we are providing the cleanest and safest possible drinking water for their benefit,” says Lindy Farmer, HCWA General Manager. “While this past year was Continued on page 7
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especially challenging to operate during the pandemic, our dedicated water professionals made sure that our water kept flowing and our customers could count on this essential service for public health.” Annual Water Quality Reports are designed to address the public’s interest in: “What is in my drinking water and why?” The Water Quality Report also answers the more fundamental question of: “Is my tap water safe to drink?” HCWA officials can refer to the Report as proof that HCWA tap water is “absolutely” safe for public consumption, while providing great value as a public service essential to the community’s quality of life and economic development. The lab data analyzed and presented in the 2021 Henry County Water Quality Report include measures of regulated substances found at the source,
during drinking water production at both HCWA water treatment plants, and within the HCWA distribution system. These lab results provide consumers with the assurance that the detected amounts of any potential contaminants are well within the limits allowed by Georgia EPD, in accordance with federal guidelines of the Safe Drinking Water Act enforced by the U.S. EPA. Potential contaminants for which regulatory agencies require testing include those categorized as organic, inorganic, or microbiological, or as the result of disinfectants or disinfectant by-products used in the drinking water treatment process. The Henry County Water Quality Report also outlines the treatment technologies and processes used by the HCWA in its water system operations to assure continuous production and distribution of safe drinking water. Water Quality Reports became a regulatory requirement of public water utilities following the 1996 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act. The intent of these annual reports is to increase the public’s “right to know” about the nature and contents of their drinking water. The 2021 Henry County Water Quality Report is available on the Authority’s website at http:// waterqualityreport.hcwa.com/report.pdf. Hard copies also are available at the HCWA Headquarters located at 1695 Highway 20 West in McDonough. Customers also can request a copy be sent to them by mail by contacting the HCWA at 770-957-6659. Media contact: Chris Wood, Ph.D. P: 770-757-1681 E: chris@jwapr.com OR john.wood@gcsu.edu
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July 15, 2021 Georgia DOT Receives $6 Million from Henry County, Locust Grove for Proposed Interstate 75/Bethlehem Road Interchange Project
(From left to right): State Transportation Board Member Russ Carreker, State Transportation Board Member Dana Lemon, Henry County Commissioner Johnny Wilson, Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell McMurry, Henry County Commission Chair Carlotta Harrell, Locust Grove Mayor Robert Price, State Transportation Board Member Jamie Boswell and Henry County Commissioner Greg Cannon.
ATLANTA, Georgia - Late last month, representatives from both Henry County and the City of Locust Grove joined Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) Commissioner Russell McMurry to present the department with a total of $6 million dollars to offset expected costs of a proposed interstate interchange project at I-75 and Bethlehem Road in Henry County. During a special presentation at Georgia DOT headquarters in Atlanta, Commission Chair Carlotta Harrell presented a check from Henry County for $5 million to be used toward anticipated construction expenses. Locust Grove Mayor Robert Price followed up with a $1 million check from the city to offset preliminary engineering expenses. “Today we’re seeing a wonderful example
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of what can happen when city, county and state governments come together in the spirit of partnership,” said McMurry. Currently, Georgia DOT engineers are doing preparation work for the proposed project, developing conceptual designs and studying potential environmental impacts. They estimate that the project will require a total $9 million for preliminary engineering costs and more than $100 million for construction, with the construction contract expected to be bid in FY 2024. It is anticipated that the proposed interchange would tie into the future I-75 commercial vehicle lanes that will run through a portion of the county. “When built, this interchange will be good not only for Henry County, but for the entire region,” said Harrell. “We appreciate Georgia DOT coming to Henry
Purple - continued from page 5 Many thanks to our economic development partners in Henry County for the support they provide to our manufacturing and distribution industries.” Purple was recently admitted to the state’s premier Georgia Made program. The program was created in 2019 to celebrate the people and industries that manufacture a wide variety of products across the state. Companies accepted into the cost-free program join a roster of distinguished manufacturers that continue to shape Georgia jobs and the global supply chain. www.choosehenry.com/purple_expansion
About Purple Purple is a digitally native vertical brand with a mission to help people feel and live better through
innovative comfort solutions. Purple designs and manufactures a variety of innovative, premium, branded comfort products, including mattresses, pillows, cushions, frames, sheets, and more. Purple’s products are the result of over 25 years of innovation and investment in proprietary and patented comfort technologies and the development of tailored manufacturing processes. For more information on Purple, visit purple.com. About the Henry County Development Authority The Henry County Development Authority is the lead economic development agency for Henry County, Georgia. The Authority works to help retain local companies and to foster new relationships and opportunities with companies looking to relocate or grow their operations into Henry County. For more information, visit www.ChooseHenry.com.
GDOT - continued from page 8 County, and collaborating and working with us on such an influential project.” The Henry County funds were allocated from the county’s SPLOST IV revenues, which were approved by voters in 2013. The Locust Grove contribution came from the city’s general funds. “We’ve been looking forward to this project for years and years,” said Price. “We haven’t left a stone unturned. The entire state needs to be ready for increased freight movement as we follow the improvements happening at the Port of Savannah and even the Panama Canal. Georgia is the best place to do business and Locust Grove is ready to be a part of it.” Commissioner McMurry was joined by three State Transportation Board members who all cover a portion of Henry County in their congressional districts:
3rd Congressional District Board Member Russ Carreker, 10th Congressional District Board Member Jamie Boswell and 13th Congressional District Board Member Dana Lemon. “One of the Georgia DOT’s biggest challenges involves collaborating positively with cities and counties,” said Lemon. “Here, there’s been some hard work done, with leaders from all groups coming forward to make tough decisions that will serve their citizens.” Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) is committed to providing a safe, seamless and sustainable transportation system that supports Georgia’s economy and is sensitive to its citizens and its environment. For more information, visit www.dot. ga.gov. Please follow us on Facebook (www.facebook. com/GeorgiaDOT) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/ gadeptoftrans).
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