APPLING COUNTY: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS  REGULAR MEETING MINUTES May 7th,2024 @ 5:30 P.M.  CALLTOORDERWILCOMEINVOCATIONPLEDGE May 7th, 2024 at 5:30 PM in the Courthouse Annex.  The Appling County Board of Commissioners held the regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Thei meeting was called to order by Chairman Leslie Burch and he welcomed all those in  attendance.  Commissioner Daryl Edwards gave the invocation and Tracy Brown led the group in the pledge. Present were Chairman Leslie Burch; Vice Chairman Charlie Leggett; Commissioners Randy Sellers, Theodore Wilkerson, Daryl Edwards and Doug Harris. Also present were County Attorney Tracy Brown, County Clerk Robyn Evans and Finance Clerk LaFonda Solomon.  County Manager. Al Meadows was absent. APPROVAL OF AGENDA seconded; unanimously approved APPROVAL OF MINUTES Regular Meeting- April 2nd 2024 unanimously approved. OLD BUSINESS  Chairman Burch requested that the last item under: new business be moved to the first item. Commissioner Edwards made ai motion to approve the revised agenda; Commissioner Harris  Commissioner Harris made ai motion to approve the minutes; Commissioner Sellers seconded;  Appling Co. Hospital Authority Consulting Contract Update  Commissioner Edwards stated that the evaluation is underway and thel hospital is fully cooperating. The evaluation should be complete within the next two (2) to three (3) months. Chairman Burch announced that Mrs. Becky Collins is retiring. Hej presented her a plaque, in appreciation of thirty-one (31)years ofs service to the County. Commissioner Harris spoke of Mrs. Collins' dedication through the years. Chairman Burch announced that ai retirement celebration will be held on May 30, 2024 at the Ag Center in honor ofl Mrs. Collins; drop-in from  RETIREMENT OF MRS. BECKYCOLLINS  3:00-6:00 PM. The program will begin at 4:30PM.  FY2025E BUDGET TIMELINE  LaFonda Solomon gave an update on the timeline of the FY 2025 budget and stated that Tax Commissioner, Debra Carter, advised the tax digest would not be complete by the dates on the previous timeline. Acjustments were made to the dates for the publication of the tax digest in the newspaper to August 6, 2024. The Commissioners will review the proposed budget and make    revisions ifneeded on August 20, 2024. The budget adoption meeting will be advertised on August 27, 2024 and the FY25 budget and millage rate will be adopted on September 3, 2024,  according to the projected budget timeline. BID AWARD FOR LITTER PICK-UP  County Clerk Robyn Evans announced there was only one bid submitted for the litter pick-up contract; DAP Cleaning Service ini the amount of $174,675.00 for two (2) cycles. Ifawarded the bid, DAP Cleaning Service requested to start the first cycle on May 8, 2024 and the second cycle on August 1, 2024 due to daylight savings hours. Commissioner Harris informed the Board that the City of Baxley is requesting seven (7) additional miles be added to the Litter Pick-Up Contract. Mrs. Peggy Burton, representative for DAP Cleaning Service, said the miles could be added for the same quoted price per mile. Commissioner Edwards made ai motion to accept the bid from Dap Cleaning Service and include an addendum to the contract to add the additional  miles; Commissioner Harris seconded; unanimously approved.  OPEN/AWARD BID FOR BLEACHER PURCHASE/INSTALLATION Chairman Burch stated for legal purposes this item will be moved to executive session. CUSTODIAL SERVICES AT DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY & CHILDREN SERVICES County Clerk Robyn Evans advised the Board the current lease agreement with Department of Human Services (DFCS) will expire in June 30th, 2024. She also explained that the original lease agreement included custodial services, tol be provided by the County; since 2016, these services were being paid by the state (per the request ofal DFCS Director at that time, sO they may utilize astate vendor). The contract was recently reviewed by their officials and noted that they would no. longer be paying for these services since the agreement stated the County is responsible. Current Director, Kacie Nencioni, requested the County begin custodial services for the building County Clerk Evans asked ift the commissioners wanted to bid the custodial services for DFCS facility alone or include the building with the current cleaning contracts. Commissioner Harris asked when the current janitorial contract (for all other county buildings) expire. Clerk Evans stated the current contract expires each year on December 315t. Commissioner Harris suggested solicitation ofinput from the current cleaning vendor. Attorney Brown advised the best course would be to bid for this service separately for the six-month period of. July 1,2024 tol December 31, 2024. Commissioner Harris made ai motion to bid for the six-month contract; Commissioner  BUILDING  beginning July 1, 2024.  Leggett seconded; unanimously approved. 2024F FIREWORKS CONTRACT  County Clerk Robyn Evans shared the contract for Annual Fireworks Display is the same as last year's cost, ini the amount of $15,385.00 and scheduled for Saturday, June 29th, 2024. Commissioner Leggett suggested the County plan in advance for upcoming years, to holda county-wide event for the 4th of. July celebration. He stated the event could bel held ati the Ag Center to include amusement and recreation activities. Commissioner Leggett said he believes this would be ai much more memorable event than just fireworks. The commissioners agreed that    this was a good idea. Commissioner Wilkerson made a motion to approve the fireworks contract  for 2024; Commissioner Sellers seconded; unanimously approved.  PUBLICINPUT  Memorial Plaque on Dunn'sLake Road  Keith Dyal presented information to the commissioners that highlighted many oft the bridges and infrastructures, where building and development were supervised by Mr. John Aycock. Mr. Dyal shared with the commissioners that his family received honors from the State Capital in recognition of Mr. John Aycock. Mr. Dyal shared that in honor ofMr. Aycock, the family asked permission from the commissioners to have ai memorial marker placed on Dunn'sI Lake Road. The state will be responsible for installing the memorial at no cost to the County. Commissioner Harris moved tol have the memorial placed on Dunn'sl Lake Road; Commissioner Sellers  seconded; unanimously approved. County Ordinance  John Mitchell addressed the board regarding the regulation ofl land use in Appling County. Mr. Mitchell said the county is losing revenue by not having ordinances and zoning laws in place for solar farms and bitcoin mines. He asked the board ifa any progress has been made regarding land use issues. Commissioner Harris said he attended a class regarding Land Use and Zoning and will be conducting more research on this issue. Mr. Mitchell asked ift there were updates on the re-evaluation process (property valuation of citizens). He requested the commissioners give an update on items that are discussed ini the monthly meetings to keep the public informed ofthe  progress.  SHERIFF'S OFFICE- Mark Melton Noi report was given at this meeting. PUBLICI BUILDINGS Dwight Watts No report was given at this meeting. PARKS & RECREATION- Timmy McGuirt  Mr. McGuirt gave an update on current recreation events. He shared that Appling County will be hosting the. Allstar tournaments; golf and tennis registration is now open on-line. The swim team has 125 members and has begun practicing for the season. The recreation department will be offering swimming lessons and have added a new category fori infants (Mommy and Me). Jana is currently enrolled to be a certified lifeguard trainer. Mr. McGuirt said this will be an asset to the Wayne Cannady asked ift the recreation department could have an ambulance on-site during the recreation events due to an accident that occurred at one ofthe games. Chairman Burch said he  county as she will be able to train lifeguards on-site.  would check into this concern. ROADS & BRIDGES- Carroll Weaver  Mr. Weaver gave updates for the road department; landfill dozer is back in operation; Oscar Tippins Road has been completed. He stated work has begun on the dock at Carter's bite but due to the fluctuation in the river levels, the project will take longer than anticipated.    Final inspections are being completed on Nails Ferry and' Ten Mile Roads. Mr. Weaver thanked the Board and contractors on1 the work being completed on Appling County roads and stated the road department is working on ditches and building-up roads. He asked for the citizens to be patient. Mr. Weaver thanked the road department workers for their continuous hard work.  LANDFILL- Robert Eunice  Mr. Eunice gave an update on the landfill. He is working with the engineer and EPD for approval on the location oft the well. The result oft the last inspection was 90 out of100. The problems have since been addressed and fixed. The scrap tire event went well - 734 scrap tires were collected. The second event is scheduled for May 18h,2024. Mr. Eunice presented a pamphlet tof the signs and prices currently in effect at the landfill, with comparison to other counties and proposed changes inj prices. Discussions were made regarding household garbage being brought tot the landfill and possibly increasing the charges. Commissioner Harris said to continue informing the citizens that household garbage cannot be accepted at the landfill.  FIRE DEPARIMENTVDIVE TEAM- Linton Deloach  Mr. Deloach shared that fire departments are operating business as usual. The dive team is currently training with ai new boat and equipment. Commissioner Harris asked how the fire fighters and first responders segregated at an incident scene. Mr. Deloach stated that the fire  department volunteers each know their role at the scene.  EXECUTIVE SESSION  Commissioner Edwards made a motion to close the regular meeting and enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel and possible litigation. Commissioner Leggett Following executive session, Commissioner Harris moved to reject and not open solicited bids for the purchase and installation of bleachers, due to legal issues/concerns; Commissioner Sellers  seconded; unanimously approved.  seconded; unanimously approved. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT Noi report at this meeting CHAIRMANSCOMMENTS  Chairman Burch thanked everyone for their attendance.  ADJOURN LaFonda Solomon  There being no further business or discussion, the meeting was adjourned at' 7:25 PM.  Leslie Burch, Chairman E ooleBweb  doendadom -  ATTEST  APPLING COUNTY GEORGIA,