In a move to address the ongoing opioid epidemic, the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners has established the Opioid Abatement Advisory Committee as a part of its initiatives discussed during their meeting on July 16, 2024. As reported by Gwinnett County's official news release, this committee is a response to the monetary settlements attained from federal lawsuits against various pharmaceutical companies. The team assigned to this project includes representatives from the Gwinnett County Board of Health, a community service board executive, the county sheriff or a proxy, an accountability court judge, and a resident with personal experience regarding opioid addiction.
Gwinnett Fire & Emergency Services, also part of the county's initiatives, are working to cost-effectively enhance their service fleet. Rather than purchasing entirely new units, the plan includes remounting existing patient transport compartment boxes onto new frames for 13 ambulances. This decision comes at a cost of $5.3 million, funded by SPLOST contracts awarded to Life Line Emergency Vehicles. This measure is projected to save taxpayer dollars.
Residents in Gwinnett County can also expect to see improvements in flood control. The County's Department of Water Resources is working on the rehabilitation of six flood control dams to prevent potential flooding. The work spans from valve replacement or rehabilitation in the outlet control structures to lining the primary outlet pipe and general maintenance repairs. IHC Construction Companies, LLC and Haren Construction Company are the contracted entities, together earning contracts amounting to around $7.5 million for their respective projects. These endeavors are underwritten by the American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Maintenance and infrastructure also extend to the Gwinnett County water system. The Department of Water Resources has set campaigns in motion for the replacement of aged water mains, with the goal of averting potential system breaks. GS Construction, Inc. has been handed contracts for replacing over half a mile of water mains in the Ansley Brook Subdivision and nearly half a mile in the Bristol Lane and Nelson Drive area, with a combined cost approximately $2.2 million. These infrastructure upgrades are designed to reinforce the county's commitment to reliable utility service, for its residents.
