Union County Sole Commissioner Harold Collins featured his usual packed agenda during the Dec. 16 regular county meeting, including 2026 hotel-motel tax distributions, an election call to continue SPLOST another six years, Canada Creek Bridge replacement progress and more.
But the first order of new business was the annual presentation of public safety service awards by the Blue Ridge Mountains Chapter of the Georgia Society Sons of the American Revolution.
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SAR is a fraternal organization of male descendants of Revolutionary War patriots. The group exists to promote patriotism, provide community service and educate youth about the nation’s founding principles toward preserving the American way of life.
Collins welcomed Blue Ridge Mountains SAR President Jared Ogden and Secretary/Treasurer Stephen Weaver to honor the life-saving emergency medical services of Ryan Earnheart, Union General Hospital’s Paramedic of the Year.
Union General EMS Director Wesley Rogers recommended Earnheart for the prestigious award for regularly going above and beyond the call of duty, both in terms of treating patients and increasing his medical knowledge.
Earnheart also earned a special honor and scholarship awarded to one local EMS professional each year: the Murray S. King Award. Kendra King presented the memorial award named for her husband, a SAR member who passed away in 2014 but received compassionate care from EMS.
Additionally, the SAR officers presented Union County Fire Lt. Steven Tanner a Fire Safety Commendation Award in recognition of his “outstanding contributions to protect human life and property by preventing injuries or casualties due to fires.”
Tanner has been with the Fire Department for 26 years, advancing through the volunteer ranks to command Fire District 2, which consists of Fire Stations 2, 6 and 9. In addition to being a volunteer firefighter, he also works part-time at the career station and is a flight paramedic.
The Sons of the American Revolution leaders came prepared to award a Law Enforcement Commendation Medal as well that evening, though the deputy being honored could not attend, so that recognition will take place at a later date.
In another major presentation, Blairsville Pickleball Club officers hand-delivered a $20,600 check for the county’s Webster Fund, which provides scholarships to families facing financial hardship so their children can play in Union County Recreation Department sports programs.
Club President Kevin Sampson recounted how the generous donation came from proceeds of the incredibly popular fundraising tournament the club hosts each September. The three-day tourney is a true labor of love, featuring more than 340 players from 10 states in 2025.
Among other business, Collins renewed the 40% distribution of county hotel-motel taxes to the Blairsville-Union County Chamber of Commerce, and he approved 10% going to the Blairsville Downtown Development Authority, for the purposes of economic development in 2026.
He accepted an $8,000 agreement with GeoHydro Engineers, Inc. to perform an asbestos survey for the upcoming Union County Courthouse Roof Replacement Project. Knowing about the presence of asbestos before construction could save the county money on removal if needed.
The commissioner issued a call for a referendum to appear on General Primary Election ballots in May 2026 asking voters to renew the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax that has been in place for nearly 30 years.
SPLOST is a 1% local sales tax that funds capital improvement projects like the new E-911 Center, Voting Center, the Farmers Market, road/bridge maintenance, etc. It will expire in April 2027 unless voters support it this spring. Should it pass, the total local sales tax would remain 7%.
Citing a desire for SPLOST transparency, Collins also accepted a $13,550 agreement with Point.dog Digital to produce video content “to provide residents with factual information about SPLOST-funded projects.” The agreement will expand on work Point.dog did for former commissioner Lamar Paris.
Additionally, Collins announced a notice of award to Square Deal Enterprises, Inc. for a contract to replace the worn-out bridge over Canada Creek in Suches. The $418,766 winning bid was several hundred thousand dollars below the next lowest bidder. Square Deal installed the bridge replacement at Fisher Field Road last year.
Following a resident’s complaint that his salary is higher than allowed in the Union County Code of Ordinances, Collins held a first reading to revise the county ordinance to include the original language from the 2013 resolution that set the salary for Office of Commissioner.
County Attorney William Mercer said incorporating the 2013 resolution language directly into the ordinance will clarify the salary requirements for the public, as the commissioner’s salary has been set forth by law.
In other business, Collins authorized an eminent domain seizure of 0.03 acres of land attached to a 0.94-acre parcel deeded to a deceased resident. The seized land will be used for drainage in connection with the roundabout construction at Pat Haralson Drive and Deep South Farm Road.
Also related to roundabout construction, the commissioner accepted a $67,000 settlement and disbursement statement with resident Gary Davenport, finalizing the county’s acquisition of 4,905 square feet of right-of-way and 2,488 square feet of construction easement.
Collins held a Dec. 15 public hearing to go over the Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed General Government Fund Budge, for which about a dozen residents attended. The commissioner was expected to adopt the budget in a called meeting that occurred after press time Dec. 22.
Coverage of both the budget hearing and adoption will appear in an upcoming edition of the newspaper.
