SCBC approve purchase of signage for Tugalo River Water Trail

The Stephens County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday for its regular scheduled meeting and work session, during which, the board approved a budget amendment to Fiscal Year 2020 for probate court and recreation.

According to County Administrator Phyllis Ayers, the budget amendment for probate court is moving funds within the department; but for Recreation the budget amendment involves adding signage for the Tugalo River Water Trail.

“The one for the probate court is just moving within her department,” Ayers said. “The one for Recreation is a request, in your agenda you have some Tugalo River Water Trail Signs that would go on GDOT’s right-a-way. And there is a quote for $1,304.51 and Michelle (Ivester) would like to request that we take this out of contingencies; but, since you got your agenda, Keith Canup has gotten that figure down to $1,001.88.”

County Commissioner Michelle Ivester says the signage is much needed to further promote the Tugalo River Water Trail.

“I’d like to add that the water trail is bringing a good number of people into the county to do the water trail and a lot of people from outside don’t know how to get to the launch places. If you’re not a resident you really don’t know where to go, so I think the signage will be a good thing to add to that and its much needed.”

Chairman Dennis Bell agreed with Ivester, saying most people are unfamiliar to how to get up to the water trail.

“Michelle, this is Dennis, I totally agree with you,” Bell said. “A lot of people don’t know how to get up there and we do need signage to get them up there. I was up there this past week, riding, and there were several people kayaking down there. I was happy to see people up there doing that.”

Ivester adds that the Water Trail will bring a lot of tourist to our area.

“This is going to bring a lot of tourism to our county over the next few years,” Ivester said. “It’s becoming more and more popular. I hate that we had to put off the Hidden Gem Ceremony, but that would of helped a lot. But yeah, we are seeing an increase in traffic.”

Ayers added that the Georgia Department of Transportation will install the signage.

“And GDOT is actually going to put these signs up for us, believe it or not,” Ayers said. “They’re going to put them up if we pay for them.”

The Tugaloo River Corridor comprises the only remaining untamed portion of the historic Tugaloo River. The Corridor extends 10 miles from Panther Creek and the Yonah Dam area south to Broken Bridges at Georgia Hwy 123 and Lake Hartwell.

A motion was made by Ivester with Vice Chair Debbie Whitlock seconding the motion. The motion was approved unanimously by the board.