Union County Sole Commissioner Harold Collins worked from a packed agenda in his monthly meeting March 24, tackling a host of business items ranging from annual Senior Center funding to Community Center changes amid discussions about dog parks and data centers. But he started things off by recognizing three outstanding Union County Recreation Basketball Teams, welcoming coaches and players to receive certificates and rounds of applause.
The 8U, 10U and 14U Boys Teams were all Mountain Athletic Conference Champions in 2026. Both 8U and 10U were District 7 Class C Finalists, and the 14U Panthers won their District Championship and came in third in state competition.
Playing for the 8U Team were Easton Adams, Bryant Colbert, Copper Gibson, Nixon Goins, Brantley Gutierrez, Weston Jones, Jack Lance III, Kip Moss, Abram Swanson and John Patrick Waggener, with Coaches Jack Lance Jr., Megan Swanson and Nataley Goins.
The 10U Team was represented by Callaghan Byrne, Jayceon Figura, Mason Fox, Greyson Gutierrez, Cash Jones, Troy McIlroy, Joshua Schroter, Ransen Swanson, Jonah Underwood and Sawyer Yancy, with Coaches Matt Gutierrez, Krista Fox and Casey Jones.
Rounding out the 14U Team were Jordan Cooper, Elliot Hillman, Mason Hopple, Allen Jackson, Kason Jones, Christiaan Jordaan, Adrian Mason, Leyton Mckeever, Karson Sosebee and Wyatt Yancey, with Coaches Tim Mason, Trevor Pendergrass and Kyle Sosebee.
Moving on, Collins accepted a $20,000 agreement with the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission for a “Transportation Needs Study” for Union County and the City of Blairsville, with the city expected to reimburse half of the study cost to the county.
“The Mayor of Blairsville approached me about getting a Transportation Needs Study completed regarding traffic in and around town as well as outlying county roads,” Collins said. “Having this study will allow for better and more efficient planning in the months and years to come.”
Collins also accepted the $218,000 local share of annual funding to the Union County Senior Center. This is the same amount Collins committed to last year, when he doubled funding from previous years amid budgetary shortfalls at the Senior Center.
Among other business, Collins accepted a $255,589.50 contract with GMASS Inc., the Norwood-based property appraisal company that has been assessing local values since 2019. The contract covers appraisal services between March 15, 2026, and Dec. 31,…
