Option for FCTA expansion includes adjacent property

The Fulton County Transit Authority has recently submitted $1,000 in earnest money in conjunction with the purchase of property adjacent to the FCTA office in Fulton.

According to Executive Director Kenney Etherton, the property, which includes a structure formerly used as a grocery store and then as a bingo hall, is still in need of an environmental study, however one hurdle in the process to make the purchase has been accomplished, in the submission and approval of a Title 6 Equity Analysis to the state.

Etherton stated the FCTA has grown to the extent that all available space is utilized in the current office building, as well as some space occupied in the Fulton County Office Building next door.

The Director reported to FCTA board members David Moss, Lew Jetton, Garrett Hutchins, Carol Parker, Mike Gunn, Sandy Bellew, Jesse Webb and Barbara Yandel, at their monthly meeting Aug. 16 at noon, that a topographical survey has been completed, a Canadian National Railroad requirement, in association with the ongoing project to construct an Amtrak Station in Fulton, off Highway 51, where a current modular structure serves as a station. He said paperwork has been secured as to the right of entry.

Although, according to Etherton and Gunn, there are still a number of hurdles to clear prior to the commencement of the station’s construction, between CNR and Amtrak, progress has been made.

The board approved action regarding employee health insurance, with the FCTA absorbing a slight increase in coverage costs for employees, equating according to Etherton with employees paying 15% of premiums and FCTA 85%.

Also relating to employees the board approved the Pay Bonus structure, unchanged from the previous three year period, as to employee evaluations. Etherton said only employees with FCTA for over six months are eligible for the bonus, which is customarily paid between late October and late November.

While no action was taken the board heard an update from the Director regarding the receipt of two new vehicles to the FCTA fleet.

Etherton reported the possibility of using the line of credit to pay for the vehicles, as payment is expected within 40 days of the vehicles’ receipt. He said while the FCTA was the first to be eligible for the federal grant funds for this fiscal year, it appeared the Department of Transportation and Delivery did not receive the contract, and grant funds may not be paid until the contract is signed by both parties.

He said that approximately $200,000 is anticipated by the first of the month’s billing, however reserves had to be implemented for bill payment and payroll, until payment was received through GRITS.

Transfers approved, which had been authorized by Executive Committee members Mike Gunn and Garrett Hutchins, were for $40,000, $60,000, $10,000 and $40,000 to the Fulton County Transit Authority Payroll Account, with the board approving the Director’s transferal of $60,000 from the Citizens Bank Account to the Heritage Bank Account for payroll.

It was announced the FCTA Simulator will be stationed at the upcoming Banana Festival Kids Day at the Fulton Airport Sept. 8, with training of staff set to begin on the simulator Aug. 27.