WALHALLA — WALHALLA — County officials considering a grading request from the Mountain Rest Fire Department would like more information about plans to expand facilities on the property.

Public Works Director Mack Kelly told Oconee County Council’s Transportation Committee this week that it would cost about $80,000 to do the grading work.

Kelly said work would include hauling in dirt to level land, getting stumps removed and getting rid of debris at the Mountain Rest F.D. site.

According to Kelly, it would take about 600 staff hours to do the project at the three-quarter acre property.

The Mountain Rest request was one of several items brought to the attention of Transportation Committee Chairman Joel Thrift, who convened the panel for the first time. Other members present at Wednesday’s meeting were Councilmen George Blanchard and Wayne McCall.

“Do they have a plan for this?” Thrift asked.

Kelly said that other than wanting to level the land to expand their fire department, Mountain Rest officials have not submitted formal plans. In response to a question by Blanchard, Kelly added that

Mountain Rest had not given a time frame for getting the grading work done.

Blanchard said he recalled first getting the grading request in December, when he still was chairman of the County Council.

“In these economic times, I would not tell Mountain Rest: Nno, we can’t do this,’ but I would ask them to give us their plan,” Blanchard said.

Thrift agreed.

“Let’s ask them to bring more information,” he said.