Trenton, GA- Where did all the local keyboard warriors go?
It was one of the few questions that went unasked or answered during Tuesday’s specially called public hearing by Dade County’s Board of Commissioners, solely focused on the proposed construction of a new elections building.
The topic of the new facility envisioned for Georgia Avenue has garnered considerable online debate within Dade County for weeks, but it was obvious that an overwhelming majority of the social media based critics stayed home and away from a face to face conversation.
Instead, only 9 citizens in all voiced their opinion during the 90 minute long forum, compared to the dozens who openly derided the proposal, including Coy Williams, the organizer of a recall petition for Board Chairman Don Townsend, citing ballooning construction cost estimates as the impetus for the recall effort.
What was initially proffered as a conservative $1+ million price tag by the commission, recent bids for the building’s construction now hover near $3 million, much to the chagrin of Dade taxpayers as well as county officials.
At the onset of the hearing, Dade County Executive Don Townsend provided a 18 minute history backgrounder and timeline on the long awaited building, which dates back to 2005 and the creation of Dade’s Board of Elections & Registration.
The six member election board was also in attendance but rarely spoke, as both panels said they wanted to hear and address the concerns of the public.
A preponderance of citizens who did speak said they’d prefer a more cost-effective option, such as a “no-frills” metal based structure, compared to the six stick-built construction bids accepted by the commission, which ranged between $2.9 million and $3.4 million.
Multiple citizens asked why existing buildings, such as Dade’s Historic Courthouse, couldn’t be repurposed as a suitable elections headquarters and Trenton voting precinct.
Commissioners say they exhaustively looked at all plausible structures, but found none that would meet the state mandated requirements of 2021’s Elections Integrity Act.
Townsend said Dade County’s proposed edifice is modeled as a smaller version of Gordon County’s Election Building, after an intensive study of Dade’s North Georgia counterparts.
Contractor Jamey Blevins says he is one of 7 builders who tendered a bid on the Dade County project. Blevins termed those who criticized the proposed building as a “Taj Mahal” as uninformed, stating the $240 per square foot cost estimate as well-priced.
Blevins also dismissed previously voiced concerns of unbudgeted maintenance and upkeep, citing a standard 3% annual maintenance expectation of construction cost.
While commissioners reiterated they are not fully decided on a final size, design or contractor for the proposed building, they did say they’re down to three potential finalists.
Once approved, construction is hoped to be complete in time for the 2026 midterms, with the building serving as an early voting site, with secure and climate controlled storage for Dade’s 7 voting precincts, as well as offices for the election board.
Commissioners will likely revisit the topic for additional debate during September’s regularly scheduled commissioners’ meeting, set for 6pm Thursday.