373  Houston County Commissioners Meeting  May 21, 2024 Warner Robins, Georgia  The Houston County Board of Commissioners meti ina a regular session at5 5:00p pm on Tuesday, May 21,2024, att the Houston County Annexi in Warner Robins, Georgia, with Chairman Perdue presiding and Commissioners Byrd, Gottwals, Robinson, and Talton present. County Attorney Tom Hall, Director of Administration Robbie Dunbar, and Director of Operations Brian. Jones  were also present.  Commissioner Robinson led those present int the Pledge of Allegiance. County Administrator Robbie Dunbar gave the Invocation.  President ofU United Way of Central Georgia, Mr. George McCanless, Brandi Roziera and Amanda Morris from the United' Way of Central Georgia, presented a ceremonial checkt tot the Board of Commissioners inr recognition oft the results ofH Houston County's United Way campaign. With over $46,000 raised by County employees in 2023, Mr. McCanless said that this was another way in which Houston County leads the way in Central Georgia. He then gave remarks of thanks and appreciation to. Jake Cox, United Way Board Member, and campaign coordinator for the County, and to the Board of Commissioners for the great job and results of the Ms. Robinson presented a request for approval of Change Order #3 on the State Court & Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Gottwals, and carried unanimously by all to approve the signing of Change Order #3 ont the State Court & Sheriff's Office Remodel int the amount of $125,121.21 bringing the total contract amount to $6,422,577.10. This change order will be Chairman Perdue commented ont the change int the scope oft the project and mentioned that this change was made sot the contractor would not have to come back out a second time and Ms. Robinson presented a professional services agreement with SP Design Group for the architectural and engineering services for the Superior Court modifications project. Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by all to approve the signing of an agreement with SP Design Group Architects & Engineers, Inc. of Macon, Georgia for the architectural and engineering services for the Superior Court modifications project in the amount of6 6% oft the cost of work and $3,000f fora3 3-D walk through. This agreement will Chairman Perdue commented that this construction project in the Superior Court is for the addition ofa another Superior Court judge in Houston County which was approved recently by Ms. Robinson presented a request for approval of the award oft the Construction Manager at Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by! Mr. Talton, and carried unanimously by allt to approve the awardo oft the Construction Manager at Riski fori the Superior Court modifications project at the Houston County Courthouse to Parrish Construction Group of Perry, Georgia.  campaign.  Sheriff's Office Remodel.  funded by 2018 SPLOST.  tor make the remodeling project seamless.  be paid for by the Public Buildings Professional Services budget.  the Georgia General Assembly.  Risk for the Superior Courtr modifications project.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 374    374  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 373  Chairman Perdue thanked Mr. Talton, Ms. Zimmerman, Mr. Phillips, Public Works, and Mr. Talton presented a request for approval oft three court reporter contracts. Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Gottwals and carried unanimously by all to approve the signing of employment contracts with Ms. Joy Malone with an annual salary of $69,500, Ms. Connie Montgomery with ana annual salary of $69,500, and Ms. Wendy Nelson with an annual salary of $69,500. The contract terms for these will be. July 1,2024 through. June 30, 2025. Mr. Talton presented: a request to distribute $2,000,000 oft the General Fund Reserve Balance Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by all to approve the distribution of $2,000,000 from the General Fund Reserve Balance to the Development Chairman Perdue mentioned the property this money would go towards paying off was the office park property at Booth Road and Hwy. 247. This property houses the Project Synergy offices and has helped Robins AFB with additional office space and software capabilities Mr. Byrd mentioned that this was a prime example of workforce development, support of Mr. Talton presented a request to distribute $327,031 to Houston Healthcare for Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by allt to approve the distribution of$ $327,031 from 2018 SPLOST fund tol Houston Healthcare for reimbursement of Chairman Perdue explained that these funds in support of Houston Healthcare were Mr. Gottwals presentedare request ist tof fill they vacant Equipment Operator position in Roads & Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Mr. Talton, and carried unanimously by all to approve the hiring of Mr. Corey Selmont to fill the vacant Equipment Operator position in Roads & Bridges at Grade 10 Step C. Staff have reviewed his qualifications, and he has the experience to merit Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by all to approve the  Purchasing for their helpi int the selection process.  tot thel Development Authority of Houston County.  Authority ofH Houston County.  outside of the Base.  Robins Air Force Base and existingi industry. reimbursement off funds spent ont two new: ambulances.  funds spent on two new ambulances.  programmed into the 2018 SPLOST for this purpose.  Bridges.  the stepa and grade. The effective date willl be May 22, 2024.  following Board appointments: Library Board: Jessica Perdue Jean. Jones George Nunn  07/01/2024-06/30/28 07/01/2024-06/30/28 07/01/2024-06,30/28  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 375    375  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 374  Middle Flint Behavioral Healthcare Community Service Board: Department of Family and Children Services Board: Christopher Stoner 07701/2024-06/3027  Stacy Bright Mikki Quinones Region) VE EMS Board:  05/21/2024- 09/14/2025 07/01/2024-06/30/29  (Unexpired Term of Sean Whilden)  Mental Health Developmental Disabilities & Addictive Diseases Advisory Council, Region 6 Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee:  Stacey Bright  0701/2024-1231/2025  Mr. Gottwals presented a request for ana additional day off onJ July 5, 2024i in conjunction with Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by all to approve Friday, July5 5, 2024 as a paid day off for Houston County employees. Shift workers scheduled to work those days will be given an additional day off at a later date with their department Chairman Perdue stated that when a holiday falls on a Thursday, consideration was given to having the next day considered a day off as well. He also explained that this was not done Mr. Byrd presented a request for approval of the increase in the County's total share on the HMGP4 4579-0009 Grant caused bya a clericale error on the initiala awardr notification. Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Mr. Talton, and carried unanimously by all to approve the $16,392 increase int the County's total share of the HMGP 4579-0009 grant bringing the total to$133,399. The County's portion will bet funded by Water Capital Funds. Chairman Perdue thanked Chief Stoner forH his effortsi ins securingt this grant and apologized for ther mix upi int the grant award ande error made that was outside of his and the Countyscontrol. Mr. Byrd commented on the good value this grant provides the County when comparing the Mr. Byrd presented a request for ana addition tot the Water Purchase Agreement between the Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Mr. Gottwals, and carried unanimously by all to approve the addition of propertyl located at 1221 Hunt Road, tos serve O'Brien Farms Subdivision Phase 2,to the Water Purchase Agreement between the Houston County Board of Commissioners and That the developer posts ab bond covering 125% of construction cost for work performed on Adherence of the rate structure approved by the Houston County Board of Commissioners Thei issuance of a utility permit to the City of Warner Robins based on all conditions being  the regularly observed. July 4th holiday.  head's approval. everyy year.  value oft the grant, $409,800, and whatt the County's portion top payis. Houston County Board of Commissioners and the City of Warner Robins.  The City of Warner Robins with thet following stipulations:  the Houston' Water System. on! November: 19, 2019.  met according to' "Houston County Utility Accommodations",  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 376    376  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 375  Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Mr. Gottwals, and carried unanimously by all to approve the Chairman Perdue closedt ther regular portion oft the meeting and opened Public Comments. Meg Mehserle spoke about! her views one election integrity issues and her feelings about being letg go asap poll worker from the Houston County Board of Elections. Daryl Allen spoke of multiple issues that concerned him quoting the Declaration of Independence, Plato,. John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, C.S. Lewis, and others. Mr. Gottwals spoke inr response to Mr. Allen and commented that Mr. Allen had been given his cell phone number and asked to call him about his concerns with the County over a month ago. He also said that the conversation had yet to bei initiated by Mr. Allen. He then spoke of C.S. Lewis saying that he was ai fan and that he had named one of his children after him. Mr. Gottwals spoke of the negative things that were said about the commissioners, saying that there are some comments being made that can be ignored and should be ignored but that Jackie Rozier spoke about elections; she offered her support to the Board of Commissioners on taking the recent appeals court decision to the Supreme Court and spoke about the James! Ermachetck spoke about a recent experience he had at the Department ofL Labor offices Sydney (nol last name given) spoke about various issues of concern toh her andi ins support oft the Ast there were nof further comments Chairman Perdue closed Public Comments.  payment oft the bills totaling $2,620,746.09.  bringing a person's faith into it was not ana appropriate thing to do. additional dayo off given to County employees for July 5th.  in Houston County.  comments madel by Daryl Allen.  Chairman Perdue opened Commissioner's' Comments. gave public comments andi for those who came tot the meeting.  Ms. Robinson commented on thei interesting meeting, for the words of advice from those who Mr. Byrd stated that he was thankful to serve on the Board and that the Board had such an openp public comment period. He expressed appreciation toa allo oft thosei int the community who live a life of service such as teachers, nurses, law enforcement officers and others who we recognized recently and throughout the year through the various appreciation weeks. He mentioned the upcoming Memorial Dayt that will be celebrated and encouraged everyone to remember those who serve in our military and those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our Chairman Perdue mentioned that he was gladt tol have County Attorney Tom Halll back after his successful surgery. He asked everyone to remember in their prayers County employee Terry Dietsch who suffered a recent health emergency. Inc closing he spoke aboutt the comment that the Commissioners don't pay attention to public comments by saying that they are either reading material passed out by the speaker ort taking notes ont the comments being made.  nation.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 377    377  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 376  Mr. Talton made no comments.  Mr. Gottwals replied to a comment made during Public Comments saying that his feelings weren't hurt, but that he is frustrated with the negativity and lack of civility during Public Comments. He also stated that he hoped that one- -on-one conversations could be held, and Before adjournment, Mrs. Mehserle interrupted the meeting and requested to be allowed to continue her comments aboute elections ink Houston County andi investigations oft the County's Motion to adjourn! by Mr. Byrd, second by Mr. Talton, and carried unanimously by all. Meeting  common ground found. Board of Elections Office. adjourned. Robbie Dunbar Director ofA Administration  Chairman Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner    378