Cobb County will spend $2 million in SPLOST money over the next four years to hire a team of workers to specifically work on small sidewalk projects.
The Cobb County Commission voted 4-0 late Tuesday to hire six new full-time but seasonal workers, who would work for the county's Department of Transportation.
The county will use 2011 SPLOST funds to pay for the projects.
“These are temporary, seasonal jobs,” said Faye DiMassimo, director of the Cobb County Department of Transportation. “When the SPLOST goes away, so will the jobs.”
Cobb’s Department of Transportation controls around $250 million in SPLOST money, DiMassimo said.
The $2 million allotment would cover salaries, equipment and concrete, DiMassimo said.
“They would only work on simple projects,” DiMassimo said. “Easy in and out. The more complex projects would still be put out for bid.”
DiMassimo said hiring the workers would be cost-effective for the county. It is estimated that the use of county workers to build sidewalks would cost Cobb around $125,000 per mile, instead of the $300,000 it would cost if contractors did the same work.
As part of the SPLOST program, the county will still spend $8.4 million on sidewalk projects done by contractors.
“This program is another demonstration of how Cobb County employees are looking for ways to deliver projects at a savings to taxpayers,” said Cobb County Commission Chairman Tim Lee.
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