ROCKDALE COUNTY PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

June 8^th, 2023

Georgia Environmental Finance Authority Donates Rockdale County Water Program Grant

ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. – Rockdale County Department of Water Resources (RWR) receives $155,000 for the Lead and Copper Program from the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA).

The Lead and Copper Rule (LCR), established in 1991 and revised in 2021, ensures that community drinking water maintains its safety. The LCR program requires water systems to regularly test drinking water in homes and other locations to identify and address elevated levels of lead and copper.

The GEFA granted funding will go to Rockdale Water Resources to carry out tests and solutions if higher levels are found. Resolutions come in various strategies, including but not limited to corrosion control treatment, source water treatment, public education, and lead service line replacement. Lead service lines are the pipes that connect individual properties to the water main. Over time, these lead service lines can contribute to elevated lead levels in drinking water.

Replacing these lines takes funding, and the GEFA grant may assist RWR in the many solutions needed for these issues.

For more information, please contact Rockdale Water Resources by calling 770-278-7450.

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ROCKDALE COUNTY PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

June 6, 2023

Rockdale County Commissioner Doreen Williams To Lead ACCG Health And Human Services Policy Committee

ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. – Rockdale County Commissioner Doreen Williams was recently named as the 2023-2024 chair of the Health and Human Services Policy Committee for the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG or Georgia’s County Association). The appointment was made by ACCG President and Baldwin County Commissioner Henry Craig.

“Policy development and legislative advocacy are foundational tenets of our organization,” said ACCG Executive Director Dave Wills. “We prioritize being a member-driven and -focused organization and look forward to working with the new leaders of our policy development committees to drive discussions and help lead change on issues of significance to all Georgia counties.”

Legislative advocacy and public policy development are two of the primary services that ACCG provides to Georgia counties. The association uses a consensus-based policy committee process to bring together county commissioners and county staff to discuss issues of concern to county government that require changes to state and federal laws and agency policies. Policy committees develop positions on key issues, which become part of the Policy Agenda. The Policy Agenda is voted on by the membership during the ACCG Legislative Leadership Conference held annually in October. The ACCG governmental affairs team uses the Policy Agenda to guide advocacy efforts on behalf of counties during the legislative session.

The Health and Human Services Committee examines health and human service delivery and financing issues. This includes indigent health care, medically underserved areas, public health, mental health, developmental disabilities, addictive diseases, hospital authorities, emergency medical services, and housing.

Commissioner Williams will lead the Health and Human Services Policy Committee with Gordon County Commissioner M.L. “Bud” Owens, who was named vice-chair.

ACCG is Georgia’s county association and works on behalf of county officials and their communities by providing public policy and legislative advocacy, leadership development, civic and community engagement initiatives, insurance and retirement programs that specialize in local government needs, and other cost-saving programs.  Formed in 1914 when county officials came together to help fund the state’s first highway department, ACCG today serves as a catalyst for advancing Georgia’s counties.  For more information, go to www.accg.org.

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ROCKDALE COUNTY PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

June 6, 2023

Rockdale County Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Sr., To Lead ACCG Federal Policy Committee

ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. – Rockdale County Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Sr., was recently named as the 2023-2024 chairman of the Federal Policy Committee for the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG or Georgia’s County Association). The appointment was made by ACCG President and Baldwin County Commissioner Henry Craig.

“Policy development and legislative advocacy are foundational tenets of our organization,” said ACCG Executive Director Dave Wills. “We prioritize being a member-driven and -focused organization and look forward to working with the new leaders of our policy development committees to drive discussions and help lead change on issues of significance to all Georgia counties.”

Legislative advocacy and public policy development are two of the primary services that ACCG provides to Georgia counties. The association uses a consensus-based policy committee process to bring together county commissioners and county staff to discuss issues of concern to county government that require changes to state and federal laws and agency policies. Policy committees develop positions on key issues, which become part of the Policy Agenda. The Policy Agenda is voted on by the membership during the ACCG Legislative Leadership Conference held annually in October. The ACCG governmental affairs team uses the Policy Agenda to guide advocacy efforts on behalf of counties during the legislative session.

The Federal Policy Committee studies issues at the federal level and develops a targeted advocacy strategy to position Georgia counties as a resource on local government issues nationally.

Chairman Nesbitt will lead the Federal Policy Committee with Henry County Chairwoman Carlotta Harrell, who was named vice-chair.

ACCG is Georgia’s county association and works on behalf of county officials and their communities by providing public policy and legislative advocacy, leadership development, civic and community engagement initiatives, insurance and retirement programs that specialize in local government needs and other cost-saving programs.  Formed in 1914 when county officials came together to help fund the state’s first highway department, ACCG today serves as a catalyst for advancing Georgia’s counties.  For more information, go to www.accg.org.

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ROCKDALE COUNTY PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

June 2, 2023

Rockdale County Receives $5,000 Brace Grant to Improve Local Community!

ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. – Rockdale County Code Enforcement recently received a $5,000 BRACE Grant from the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation, a statewide organization that leads more than 70 city and county affiliates in their efforts to end litter, reduce waste, promote recycling, and beautify communities.

The grant program, now in its inaugural year, was made possible by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division through the Solid Waste Trust Fund. It aims to reduce litter, blight, and illegal dumping on public property and encourage code enforcement efforts.

“I’m thankful to our leaders for establishing the Community Improvement Division, so we can do the important work to keep Rockdale County safe, healthy, and clean for its residents. Our team is very excited to work with Code Enforcement in this initiative. Using the assistance from the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation, we will really be able to make a difference in the way people feel about their neighborhood,” says Lisa Williams, a coordinator with the County’s Community Improvement Division.

Rockdale County Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Sr., will be delivering remarks as the County kicks off its new quarterly initiative, Love Where You Live, at Fieldstone View and Country Walk neighborhoods on Friday, June 9th, from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. The Community Improvement Division (CID) and Code Enforcement will be assisting the community in clean-up efforts, providing dumpsters, and helping residents to dispose of unwanted household furniture, trash, and debris. Code Enforcement and CID will also be landscaping and beautifying the entrances into the neighborhoods. Residents will be encouraged to participate in litter pick-up throughout the streets of the community. Two Community Improvement vouchers* will be provided to each household that participates in the event.

“Clean, green, and beautiful spaces are critical for the health of a community,” said Natalie Johnston-Russell, Executive Director of the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation. “Litter-free environments attract businesses, protect local wildlife, and create opportunities for friends, families, and neighbors to connect with one another. We’re thrilled to provide funding that will help that happen on a local level.”

The Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation has a 45-year history of doing the little things that make a big difference in Georgia’s communities. Established in 1978, the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation aims to educate and inspire Georgians to act every day to improve and beautify their community environments. The Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation supports more than 70 local affiliates across the state, and its programs represent 80% of Georgia’s population. The Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation also strives to engage new communities and individuals in the efforts to end littering, promote recycling and waste reduction, and beautify communities. For more information, visit www.kgbf.org

For more information about the event on Friday, June 9th, contact Rockdale County Code Enforcement at 770.278.7112

*Vouchers can be redeemed by residents for one year from the date of the event.

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