The state is offering a grant to build a long-awaited trail extension, but the Floyd County Commission is taking a hard look at its share of the cost.

The Redmond Trail would run from the downtown Heritage Trail system at the levee, past the post office on Martha Berry Boulevard to Summerville Park. Ideally, it would continue on to Berry College.

Commissioners are expected to decide tonight if they’ll spend up to $23,000 for a consultant to review and update the old plans.

“We do have some money in the budget for things that come up like this,” County Manager Blaine Williams said. “The city (of Rome) and Heart of the Community Foundation also are interested in this.”

The Georgia Department of Transportation would pay for construction, but a local match of about $150,000 would be needed to cover engineering and easement purchases. That may be more than the board will commit.

“It’s important enough, and we can talk about it,” Commission Chairman Irwin Bagwell said at the agenda-setting session last week. “But we’re pulling money from the fund balance to balance our budget right now.”

Commissioners caucus at noon today and start their regular meeting at 2 p.m. in the County Administration Building, 12 E. Fourth Ave. The sessions are open to the public.

Among the other items on the agenda is discussion of fire station proposed for property off U.S. 411 East near Grace Drive, and a caucus presentation of the water department’s five-year plan.

Commissioners also are scheduled to discuss pending litigation in a closed session, a procedure allowed under Georgia’s open meetings law.