321  Houston County Commissioners Meeting  January2, 2024 Perry, Georgia  The Houston County Board of Commissioners meti ina a regular session at 9:00 am onl Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at the Houston County Courthouse in Perry, GA, with Chairman Perdue presiding and Commissioners Byrd, Gottwals, Robinson, and Talton present. County Attorney Tom Hall and Director of Administration Robbie Dunbar were also present. Mr. Gottwals led those ina attendance int the Pledge of Allegiance.  Mr. Byrd gavet the Invocation.  Col. Ned Sanders, USAF (ret.), former Houston County Board of Commissioners Chairman, spoke of his time serving in the military. He spoke of attending the Citadel at age 17 on a scholarship, graduating asa2 2nd Lieutenant, and going through pilot training. He also spoke of serving in the Vietnam War and being assigned to Scott Air Force Base and later Robins Air Force Base where he eventually retired. He finished by speaking of running for and winning The Commissioners expressed their appreciationt tol Mr. Sanders for hiss service, patriotism, and leadership during his time as Chairman oft the Houston County Board of Commissioners. They statedt that any successest that Houston County was ablet to achieve under his leadership were made possible by the outstanding employees of Houston County and his fellow Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Mr. Talton, and carried unanimously by allt to approve the Mr. Talton presenteda a request from the City of Perryf for deannexation of property located on Motion! by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously bya all to concur with the deannexation of property located at 2440 GA Hwy 127, and 0 GAI Hwy 127. This property is alsol known asT TaxF Parcel0P0490080000 and1 Tax Parcel OP0490079000. Propertyiscurrently zoned City of Perry R-3a and proposed zoningi is County R-3. Also, to approve the signing oft the Chairman Perdue stated that the abilityt tol have a deannexation of property from a cityi isr new and that property owners are able to ask for this action due to a law recently passed byt the Ms. Robinson presented a request for approval ofa al bid on a 2023 Straw Blower. Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Gottwals, and carried unanimously by all to approve the purchase of one (1) in-stock 2023 FINN B770T Straw Blower from Dobbs Equipment, of Macon, Ga, in the amount of $45,297.90. This purchase will be paid from the 2012 SPLOST Chairman Perdue confirmed that the purchase oft this piece ofe equipment would! be purchased Mr. Gottwals presented a request for the addition of one (1) Deputy Sheriff position to the  the Chairmanship of the Houston County Board of Commissioners.  commissioners.  minutes fromi the December 19, 2023 meeting.  GAI Hwy 127.  Resolution for Deannexation of Property. Georgia General Assembly.  fund.  with 2012 SPLOST funds. position control listing.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 322    322  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 321  Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously! by all to approve the addition ofc one (1) Deputy Sheriff's position (#223)t tot the Houston County Position Control Listing at a Grade 17 Step "B". Also, to authorize accounting to make any necessary budget Chairman Perdue confirmed with Personnel Director Ken Carter that newly hired Sheriff's  adjustments.  Deputies who are already POST certified are hired at the "B" step.  Mr. Carter stated that he was correct.  Ms. Robinson presented the qualifying fees as required by Georgia Code O.C.G.A. $21-2-131 Motion! by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Talton, and carried unanimously by all to approve the following qualifying fees for the offices listed below. Qualifying will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, March 4, 2024, and will end at noon on Friday, March 8, 2024. Qualifying for Nonpartisan offices willl be! held att the Board of Elections Office, Houston County Government Building, 2030 Kings Chapel Road, Perry, Georgia. The General Primary/Nonpartsan General Election willl be held on May2 21, 2024, andt the General Election willl be! held November5, 2024.  (1)(A).  Judge of Probate Court Clerk of Superior Court Sheriff Tax Commissioner Solicitor-General Coroner County Commissioner - Post 3 County Commissioner Post 4 County Commissioner - Post5 5 Chief Magistrate Board of Education- - District1 Boardo of Education- - District 3 Boardo of Education - District5 Boardo ofE Education - Post 7 (AtL Large) payment oft the bills totaling $5,205,574.16.  $2,767.14 $2,767.14 $2,994.37 $2,767.14 $4,531.82 $1,531.10 $ 510.00 510.00 $ 510.00 $2822.48 $ 216.00 216.00 216.00 216.00  Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by allt to approve the Chairman Perdue closed the regular portion oft the meeting and opened Public Comments. There! beingr no comments Chairman perdue opened the floor for Commissioner's Comments. Mr. Gottwals spoke oft thei inspirationi that Ned Sandersi isa ande expressed his thanks for hearing more about! his life's story ofs service and leadership. He wished everyone al happy New Year and said that most people break their new year's resolutions by the spring and encouraged everyone tor make small changes that they can keep which canl lead to bigger changes in the Ms. Robinson: statedt that she hopede everyone hada ag great holiday season and wished everyone Mr. Talton thanked everyone for attending, wished everyone a happy New Year and  future.  a prosperous and happy New' Year.  commented ont the short but productive first meeting oft the year.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 323    323  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 322  Mr. Byrd wished everyone al happy new year and expressed his appreciation to the County's public works department personnel, alll law enforcement and first responders who continued to worko duringt thel holidays season. Her reminded everyone that. January 9thi is law enforcement appreciation day. He concluded his remarks by recognizing Superior Court Clerk Carolyn Sullivan who was recently presented the Good Government Award by the Robins Regional Chairman Perdue wished everyone al happy New Year and said that it had been an! honor and privilege to serve with this Board the previous year. He concluded by saying that he looked Motion to adjourn by Mr. Talton, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by all.  Chamber of Commerce.  forward to more positive work taking place by the Board in2 2024.  Meeting adjourned. Robbie Dunbar Director of Administration  Chairman Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner    324