Ware County commissioners gave their approval for a Memorandum of Understanding with the Okefenokee Regional Library System renovation project during the June 9 monthly meeting.
The Georgia Public Libraries Major Repair and Renovation Grant (allocated in 2024), with work being done by Craft Development, Inc. of Waycross, was $1,010,000 with a 10 percent match by the county for the Waycross-Ware County Public Library.
Commissioners said the $126,613 paid by the county for a new roof and boiler, as well as the $50,000-plus for a new HVAC system, surpassed the mandated matching 10% of the cost.
“The money we spent for the roof and HVAC offsets that 10 percent,” said Commissioner Leonard Burse during the Monday work session.
Assistant County Attorney Jennifer Herzog said she believes both the state and the library are in agreement the county has met the 10% match.
Craft Development’s bid was $714,716 for the project. Once the invoices are paid and turned in to the state, all monies will come back to the county, according to County Manager James Shubert.
The county manager informed the commission the remaining funds will be used to purchase new furniture.
“They (library personnel) are wanting to get rid of the cloth covered furniture,” said Shubert. “They also want to seal and stripe the parking lot and that cost is approximately $50,000.”
Commissioner Burse voiced his concern of overgrown trees and underbrush creating hiding places for certain activities.
“We’ve had a lot of the underbrush removed,” said Shubert.
During the ensuing regular meeting, Burse made the motion to accept the MOU with the Okefenokee Regional Library System noting the county’s payments for the new roof, boiler and HVAC system covering the 10% match.
