Public Owners

Georgia State and Local Governments Must Accept Electronic Signatures and Seals on Construction Bonds

June 03, 2021 at 12:08pm featuring David R. Cook Jr.
City Governments, County Governments, Local Government, Local Governments, Public Owners, Public Works, School Systems,

Another new procurement-related law requires state and local governments to accept electronic signatures and seals on bonds issued under the state and local public works laws.  Consistent with some of the other rule changes during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Georgia …

Georgia State and Local Governments Receive Expanded Authority for Conservation Projects

May 31, 2021 at 11:31am featuring David R. Cook Jr.
City Governments, Construction Owners, County Governments, Energy Construction, Energy Efficeincy Projects, Local Government, Local Governments, Public Owners, Public Works, School Systems,

In the 2020-2021 session, the Georgia General Assembly amended existing laws to expand state and local governments’ authority to enter conservation projects.  In connection with these projects, the contractor guarantees that cost savings or revenue increases will cover any …

Georgia Legislature Passes Additional Procurement Rules

May 24, 2018 at 9:03am featuring David R. Cook Jr.
City Governments, Construction Contracts, Construction Estimating, Contractors and Subcontractors, County Governments, Local Government, Local Governments, Public Contractors, Public Owners, Subcontractors,

On May 3, 2018, Governor Nathan Deal signed HB 899 into law, officially making it Act 389. Act 389 modifies O.C.G.A. § 13-10-4 and § 36-91-23 relating to public works bidding and contracts of state and local governments, respectively. Both …

County Sovereign Immunity Invokes Change-Order Ordinance

December 12, 2017 at 1:36pm featuring David R. Cook Jr.
City Governments, Construction Estimating, Construction Litigation, Construction Owners, Contractors and Subcontractors, County Governments, Litigation Issues, Local Government, Local Governments, Public Contractors, Public Owners,

The recent case of Fulton County v. Soco Contracting Company, Inc. addresses two very interesting questions for local government attorneys.  First, can a county ordinance bolster a defense of sovereign immunity against a contractor’s claims?  Second, can a county waive …

Solar Resources for Universities and Local Governments: City and County Solar PV Training Program

December 07, 2017 at 8:44pm featuring David R. Cook Jr.
Energy Construction, Energy Efficeincy Projects, Facilities Managers, Public Contractors, Public Owners, Public Works,

NREL, in support of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office, is offering a no-cost PV training program for 50 cities and counties seeking to go solar on their facilities (both buildings and land).

Cities and counties will …

Difficult Problems in Public Works, Bidding, Procurement, and Contracting

September 15, 2017 at 12:25am featuring David R. Cook Jr.
Construction Contracts, Construction Owners, County Governments, Local Government, Local Governments, Public Owners, Public Works,

AHC Attorney David Cook recently presented to the Institute for City and County Attorneys in Athens, Georgia on September 15, 2017, concerning “Difficult Problems in Public Works, Bidding, Procurement, and Contracting.”  It is helpful for local governments to periodically review …

Georgia appellate court supports county claim against surety company’s failure to pay

August 30, 2017 at 10:52am featuring David R. Cook Jr.
County Governments, Local Government, Local Governments, Public Owners, Public Works, Surety Bond,

In 2015, Hall County (Georgia) brought legal action against Selective Insurance Company of America, Inc., the surety company for contractor Ruby Forrest. Hall County had contracted Ruby Forrest to complete and maintain sidewalk systems within three residential subdivisions that Ruby …