386  Houston County Commissioners Meeting  June 18, 2024 Warner Robins, Georgia  The Houston County Board of Commissioners meti ina a regular session at 5:00, pm on1 Tuesday, June: 18, 2024, att thel 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 Byrd led those present int the Pledge of Allegiance.  Pastor Ryan Reid, of the United Growth Church in Bonaire, gave the Invocation and spoke about his church. Hei introduced himself as a Houston County native who grew up in Kathleen and spoke of his father who was also a pastor. He mentioned that growing up! he hadr no plans tob bea ap pastor,! but hei felt GodH had different plansi for his life. Describing! his church, Pastor Reid said their focusi ist tol build people up, lead people to Christa and help them tol ber morel like. Jesus. He said growing disciples and serving the community are two main goals of his church. He concluded his remarks by mentioning that his fellowship meets at Ted Wright Park in Bonaire Chairman Perdue and the Commissioners expressed their appreciation to Pastor Reid for coming tot the meeting tog give the invocation, and for his work in the community. Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by all to approve the Chairman Perdue presented the FY25 budget and spoke at length about the tax appraisal process, why appraisals are made, the State law requiring appraisal of property in Houston County, how and where to go about filing an assessment appeal, how the millage rate is Chairman Perdue opened al Public Hearing ont the FY25 budget and tax assessments. Dan Carter hada a question about the abbreviations on! his tax assessment notice letter. Thomas Reynolds spoke about the percentages he pays in various taxes; local, state and federal, and the increase int the assessed value ofh his house over the last four years. Yesmin Wilson spoke about several of the rental properties she owns and the assessment values thath have increased one each oft them. Shei inquiredi ift therec could! bea a cap ont the percent increase oft the assessed value eachy year on properties in Houston County. Ricky Solomon had a question regarding the definition ofa al buyer or seller; whether a property was bought as a rental or as a primary residence. He also asked if that would make any Chairman Perdue advised that it would not, and the difference would be the homestead Ken Cramp suggested includinga a page that explains the assessment process, like the one that was handed out at the Commissioners meeting, with the mailed-out assessment notice. He mentioned that having this information in hand would answer a lot of questions. He asked whether an additional property taxe exemption could be considered for residents who  each Tuesday at 6:00p pm.  minutes oft the. June 4, 2024 meeting.  calculated, and the tax capi in Houston County.  Chairman Perdue explained whate each was and their purpose.  difference ont the assessed value.  exemption a person could apply for on the property they reside in.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 387    387  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 386  hadl livedi int their homes al long time, suggesting atl least 20y years. Hes spoke about the increase ing garbage fees and how this did not please him and concluded his comments by saying that the assessment this year maya also seem higher due to the State not including the rebate on Ken Berstein: spoke about the increased assessments on residential property and wonderedi if this was ana artificial increase by the County ahead of the proposed House Bill 581 that will be Chairman Perdue advised it was not and that the County has always been transparent about Mr. Byrd commented ont the range of square foot assessments and sales data showing these Robert Hardy spoke ont the prevalence of home title theft in Georgia and gave outi information as tol how property owners can! keepf from becoming a victim of this crime. Joseph Morris spoke about retirees havingt top pay school taxes and: suggested either removing thist taxf fori individuals overa a certain age ora atl least decreasing the amount ofs school taxes they Meg Mehserle spoke about large corporations and conglomerates from outside of Georgia purchasing homes and turning these properties into rental homes and how this may be indicative of broader and more nefarious intentions by globalists. She then spoke off-topic about election integrity and feelings about being let go as a poll worker from the Houston David Tribble had a question about when commercial property in Houston County faces a similar assessment revaluation as residential property in Houston County has. Chairman Perdue advised that this process has already begun and that commercial revaluations should be completed within the next threey years. Jennifer Tribble spoke about the delay in sales data on the public website and how this hampered her abilityt tot find comparable assessed values ofh homes like hers using recent sales date information. She concluded her remarks by questioning whether refinancing al home's mortgage would trigger a new assessed value oni it and then the homeowner faces another increased assessed valuation that the Countyi is doing, causing a double reevaluation. Jacqueline Rozier hada a question regarding conservation designation of property and whether ther required acreage requirement could bel lowered from: 10 acres to 4 acress sOS smaller parcels ofl land could be considered for conservation use and help property owners save money. Chairman Perdue advised that this designation is a state regulation and any changes to the amount of acreage for conservation designation would come from the General Assembly With nof further public comments, Chairman Perdue closed the Public Hearing and reopened  property taxes as was donel last year. voted oni in November. the wâyi itd operates. assessments.  are required top pay.  County Board of Elections.  through changes inl law. the regular Commissioners meeting.  Chairman Perdue read the FY25 budget resolution! into record.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 388    388  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 387  AF Resolution. Adopting The Fiscal Year 2025 Budget  For Houston County  WHEREAS, the Houston County Board of Commissioners has prepared al line-item budget for WHEREAS, the Houston County Board of Commissioners has adhered to the provisions of WHEREAS, aj publicl hearing was held onJ June 4th, 2024, and iti isr nowi int the best interest oft the NOW, THEREFORE, BE ITI RESOLVED by the Houston County Board of Commissioners that the annual budget for Houston County for thei fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024 and ending. June 30, 2025, attached hereto and made a part hereof, is hereby approved and adopted in the  the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024 and ending. June 30, 2025; and  O.C.G.A. Section 36-81-3, as amended; and County that thel budget be adopted,  amount of: General Fund Telephone Fund District Fund SPLOST Fund Water Fund Solid Waste Fund Internal Service Fund ARPAF Fund DATE Fund Drug Fund Jaill Inmate Fund Law Library Fund District Attorney Fund *Other Special Revenue Funds Balance for Personnel Adjustments. authorizing saidf funds to be expended.  $81,315,291E911 $6,196,256Fire $5,373,683 $34,492,259 $9,315,547 $14,060,986 $15,361,102 $13,996,283 $283,006 *$113,000 *$263,449 *$89,520 *$494,103 181,354,485  BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that during the fiscaly year beginning. July 1, 2024 and ending June 30, 2025, the General Fund shall appropriate $2,384,186 from previously assigned Fund BEITFURTHERI RESOLVED: that anyi increase ina appropriation for any department ors salary line- item ine excess of the approved budget shall require approval by the Board of Commissioners Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by all to approve Chairman Perdue signingt the FY25 Budget Resolution: adopting the FY25 budget int the amount Mr. Byrdt thanked Chairman Perdue for his excellent presentation ont the property assessment, and the FY25 budget and thanked County staff personnel; Robbie Dunbar, Danyelle George, Will Davis and the County department heads for their work and contributions on the FY25 Chairman Perdue also expressed his appreciation for the work on the budget by Robbie Dunbar, Ken Carter, Brian. Jones, Will Davis, Danyelle George and Chief Chris Stoner. Chairman Perdue closed the meeting for at five-minute comfort break.  of$181,354,485.  budget.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 389    389  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 388  Chairman Perdue called the meeting! back to order after the comfort break.  Mr. Byrd presenteda a request tor renew a professional services contract with Traylor Business Motin! by Mr. Byrd, second by Mr. Talton, and carried unanimously! by allt to approve the signing ofap professional services contract with Traylor Business Services Inc., of Kennesaw, Georgia Mr. Byrd presented a request for an amendment of the timber sale agreement with Cedar Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Mr. Gottwals and carried unanimously by all to approve the signingo ofa ana amendment with Cedar Creek Timber Company of Wrightsville, Georgia toe extend Chairman Perdue commented that it: should be drye enough now for the timber at the landfill to be harvested. He also stated that the County has already been paid for the timber and is Ms. Robinson presenteda a request for abandonment ofright- of-way for property! known as Tax Parcel Numbers 012501 1100 and 01250 1110 adjacent to an unpaved portion of Old HWY 96 Chairman Perdue closedt the regular portion of the meeting and opened al Public Hearing. There being no comments Chairman Perdue closed the Public Hearing and reopened the Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Talton, and carried unanimously! by allt to approve the signing of a Resolution abandoning the unpaved portion of Old HWY 96 adjacent to Mr. Commissioner Byrd commented that this action will put this property back ont the tax digest. Ms. Robinson presented a request from Scott Messer, owner of 309 Nelson Drive, for Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Gottwals and carried unanimously by all to approve the deannexation oft the property located at 309 Nelson Drive, Warner Robins, Georgia and authorize the signing oft the appropriate resolution tol be sent tot the City of Warner Robins. Chairman Perdue commented that the City of Warner Robins also must agree to the Ms. Robinson presented a request to renew Independent Contractor Agreements with four attorneys to provide legal representation in cases where the Houston County Public Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Byrd and carried unanimously by all to approve the signing of an Independent Contractor Agreement with. Jeffrey L. Grube for a term of July 1, 2024 through. June 30, 2025 in the amount of $90,000, Jonathan Perry Waters for a term of July 1, 2024 through. June 30, 2025 in the amount of $90,000, David G. Daniell for a term of July 1,2024t through. June 30, 2025i int the amount of$ $90,000, and Carl Velinet for at term ofJ July  Services Inc. for personal property verifications. for atwelve-monthi term, beginning June 23, 2024.  Creek Timber Company.  the term oft the agreement from. July 19, 2024 to October 31, 2024. not havingt to wait for the harvesting of the timber tor receive payment.  inE Bonaire.  regular portion of the meeting. Driggers' property.  deannexation from the City of Warner Robins.  deannexation request tor make this final. Defender's Office has a conflict ofi interest.  1,2 20241 through. June 30, 2025i int the amount of $90,000.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 390    390  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 389  Chairman Perdue explained that the need for So many conflict attorneys arises due to cases where multiple defendants in the same case qualify for public defender representation. The Public Defender's office cand onlyr represent one oft the offenders; the others would have tol be Mr. Talton presented a request to renew the Oaky Woods Wildlife Management Area Lease Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by all toa approve the signing of the Oaky Woods Wildlife Management Area Lease Agreement between the Department of Natural Resources: and Houston County. This agreement willl have at term ofc one year withi the optiont to renew it for up tof five years after the signing of this agreement. Mr. Talton statedt that even though the County isr noti in the recreation business, the County's support of Oaky Woods provides recreational opportunity for residents throughout Middle Mr. Talton presented a request for approval of the award of the Solid Waste and Recyclable Chairman! Perdue asked Robert Brown of Atlantic Coast Consulting, the County'sconsultant: on the proposal requests for the solid waste contracts, to speak about the new solid waste Mr. Brown spoke about the number of proposals submitted, the vetting process and the new subscription-based: solid wastep plan that Houston County was considering. Hes stated this new subscription- baseds solid waste plan, beginning July 1,2025, willa allowf for consumers to choose their desired level of service, and thereby the cost they would pay for their solid waste collections. Property owners would be able to choose from having thet following services: pick  represented by outside contract attorneys.  Agreement.  Georgia tol have and outdoor recreation opportunity.  Materials Collection Contract. collection plans for Houston County.  up for garbage, yard waste, and/or recycling.  Chairman Perdue thanked Mr. Browni for his helpi int the RFP process.  Mr. Byrd commented on the thorough and competitive process of the proposals and having subscription service gives controlt to the resident as to the level ofs service they want and inso doing, choosing the level of cost they will pay. He finished by expressing his thanks to Robert Brown and the staff with Atlantic Coast Consulting and the County employees who Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by all to approve the award of the Solid Waste and Recyclable Materials Collection Contract to Ryland Mr. Talton presented a request for ana amendment tot the contract with Flock Groupl Inc. Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Gottwals and carried unanimously by all to approve the signing of a contract amendment with Flock Group Inc. of Atlanta, Georgia to prepay the remainder of the contract. This prepayment is due to the deadlines associated with ARPA funded projects. Also, to allow the Accounting Department to make any necessary budget  participated int this effort.  Environmental tob begin onJ July 1,2025.  adjustments.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 391    391  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 390  Chairman Perdue stated that spending this money up front on this ARPA-funded project will allow for this project tol bef fullyf fundeda and gett the project off the County's books. He finished bys saying all ARPA grant money must be obligated by the end of this year. Mr. Gottwals presented a request for approval of the final adjusting Change Order for the Stratford Hills Subdivision Pressure Improvement project. Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Mr. Talton, and carried unanimously by all to approve the final adjusting change order for the Stratford Hills Subdivision Pressure Improvement project with Pyles Plumbing & Utility Contractors Inc, of Macon, Georgia. This decreasei int the amount Chairman! Perdue thanked the contractor: and County stafff for their worki in! helping bring costs Mr. Gottwals presented a request for approval of the final adjusting Change Order for the Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by all to approve the final adjusting change order for the Water System Improvements to Serve Sewell Road, Phase II with. John RI Walker, Inc., of Macon, Georgia. This decrease in the amount of $58,426 will reduce the original cost of $1,130,186.40 to $1,071,760.40. Also, to allow the Accounting Chairman Perdue thanked the contractor: and County staff fort their worki in! helping bring costs Mr. Gottwals presented a request for approval ofab bid on a price increase of $1,947 for the purchase of one new Chevrolet 3500 Extended Cargo Van. This purchase approved at the November 7,2023 Houston County Board of Commissioners meeting was unable tot bet fulfilled Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by all to approve the bid on one new 2024 Chevrolet: 3500E Extended Cargo Van from Brannen Motor Company of Unadilla, Geogia ata a price of $45,500. This purchase willl be funded by 2018 SPLOST. Chairman Perdue thanked Vanessa Zimmerman, Purchasing Director, for her work inf finding Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by allt to approve the Chairman Perdue closed the regular portion oft the meeting and opened Public Comments. Thomas Reynolds again expressed concerns aboutt the increase inp property values being made ahead oft the November vote on! House Bill 581. He also commented that he and many others were against the proposed annexation of property on SR1 127. Hei thanked the Commissioners for their support of Oakey Woods and concluded his comments by speaking about the trash John Schwindler spoke about the price adjustments of local gas stations, the speed at which the prices seem to change and that the prices appear tol be the same throughout the County and wondered out loud how that could be. He also spoke ofa pile of trash left over from a construction, job atag gas station near his house and requested County assistance with getting  of$ $18,700 will reduce the original cost of$ $76,650to$ $57,950.  down.  Water System Improvements to Serve Sewell Road, Phase III.  Department tor make any necessary budget adjustments.  down on this project as well.  byt the low bidder.  asuitable replacement.  payment oft thel bills totaling $5,607,887.26.  contract goingt to a subscription plan.  that pile removed.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 392    392  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 391  Chairman! Perdue advised that Community Planner. Jake Cox wouldr meet withl him and helps get Ast there were not further comments Chairman Perdue closed Public Comments.  the situation with the trash pile taken care of.  Chairman Perdue opened Commissioner's Comments.  Mr. Byrd commented on how productive the meeting was with the approval of the FY25 budget and the County's new garbage contract and is thankful to be able tos serve the citizens Mr. Taltont thanked everyone for attending and closed! by saying that the Boardi is here for the Ms. Robinson thanked everyone for being at the meeting and sharing their comments and ideas on ways toi improve the County. Shec concluded her comments by mentioning the change in Commission meeting datesi in July which willl be. July 9th and. July 23rd because oft the 4tho of Mr. Gottwals expressed his appreciation for the smooth meeting. He spoke about the perceived moneys grabt that hel has been hearing regarding the assessments that have gone out tor residents, and the vote in November on House Bill 581 that caps the percentages by which assessments can go up onr residential homestead property. He stated just the opposite was theg goal oft the Board! by hopefully being able tor roll back the millage rate. He also mentioned that the other local governments represented ont the tax assessments need to dot their part as well tol hold the line ore even roll back their millage rates as well. He closed his comments by saying with serving over a year in office he has seen nothing but transparency and work on behalf of County staff and this Board for the benefit ofH Houston County residents. Chairman Perdue also commented on the delayi in one week oft the. July Commission meetings with the July dates being July 9th and July 23rd. He also commented on tomorrow's celebration of Juneteenth and the freedoms we enjoy in our nation and that County offices would be closed tomorrow in honor oft that day. He concluded his comments by saying that today was the 16th birthday ofh his eldest daughter and wished her a very! happy birthday. Motion to adjourn by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Gottwals, and carried unanimously by all.  of Houston County. citizens of Houston County.  Julyl holiday week.  Meeting adjourned. Robbie Dunbar Director of Administration  Chairman Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner