Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The LaGrange City Council approved for the mayor to execute an intergovernmental agreement with Troup County Tuesday night, regarding a waterline extension for a new Rosemont Elementary School.

For the Rosemont Elementary waterline extension, the Troup County School System will pay $500,000 in an intergovernmental agreement with the city of LaGrange and Troup County. It’s estimated that the project will cost around $2 million overall.

City Manager Meg Kelsey said the city will build a water line from the LaGrange water tank, adjacent to Walmart, down to the Rosemont School area. Kelsey noted that the city will pay for remainder of costs at approximately $800,000.

The project is expected to be completed approximately two years from this Spring, due to the bid process and an estimated 18 months for construction.

Both the TCSS Board of Education and Troup County Commission have already approved the project.

“The shortest way to do this would be from Hamilton Road but unfortunately the pressure zone is not adequate, so we’re going to come from John Loveless Road and down to Robertson Road,” said LaGrange Utilities Director Patrick Bowie.

Mayor Jim Thornton said it will be good for the school system but also for the county because they will get more fire hydrants, which will positively impact insurance rates.

In other action, the city also approved to amend the alcoholic beverages ordinances related to brown bagging.

A brown bagging establishment is defined by the city as a commercial establishment permitting or condoning the practice of allowing customers or patrons to bring, possess or consume alcoholic beverages of their own on the premises of the establishment.

Kelsey said the amendment will put more accountability on the property owner.

“It also allows our law enforcement to go in and inspect during the hours of operation if they determine there might be a compliance issue to address,” Kelsey said. “It also establishes a $500 fine for any violations of the inspection.”