378  Houston County Commissioners Meeting  June 4, 2024 Perry, Georgia  The Houston County Board of Commissioners met ina a regular session at 9:00 am on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at the Houston County Courthouse in Perry, 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 Byrdg gavet the Invocation.  Commissioner Taltonl led those present int the Pledge of Allegiance.  SSgt Derrick Hargrove, a contract specialist att the Air Force Sustainment Center at Robins Air Force Base, spoke about hisj job and position asa contract: specialist. He gave details about the work, duties and responsibilities of his position, and that of his organization within the Air Force. He served in the Air Force for 7 years with his first 6 years as a meteorologist. SSgt Hargrove has been stationed at bases in Germany, Italy and Turkey and traveled all over Europe. He mentioned this is his first duty station back int the United States and that he finds itinteresting getting acclimated back into the American culture. He finished by saying that he isr new to the area, having moved here in October of 2023, and spoke of his appreciation for the support and welcome he has received into the Houston County community. Chairman Perdue and the Commissioners expressed their appreciation to SSgt Hargrove for his service and the fiscal responsibility to save taxpayer money with the work he does. The Commissioners' welcomed him to Houston County and thanked him for the kind words about Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by allt to approve the Chairman Perdue: spoke ons some oft the rules ofp public speaking ata a Commissioner's Meeting, explaining that rude and vulgar behavior would not be allowed and that everyone speaking wouldb be limitedt tof five minutes. He also explained that anyone not followingt the rules would be called out of ordera ande escorted out oft the meeting and out oft the building. Chief Building Inspector Tim Andrews presented Special Exception Applications #2771 through  the Houston County community. minutes oft the May 21, 2024 meeting.  #2774, and #27761 through #2779.  Chairman Perdue opened al Public Hearing on the Special Exceptions. Applicant #2771 was present with nothing furthert to add, there was no opposition. Applicant #2772 was not present with nothing further to add, there was no opposition. Applicant #2773 was present with nothing furthert to add, there was no opposition. Applicant #2774 was present with nothing further to add, there was no opposition. Applicant #2776 was present with nothing furthert to add, there was no opposition. Applicant #2777 was present with nothing furthert to add, there was no opposition. Applicant #2778 was present with nothing further toa add, there was no opposition. Applicant #2779 was not present with nothing further to add, there was no opposition. With no comments, Chairman Perdue closed the Public Hearing and reopened the regular  potion oft the meeting.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 379    379  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 378  Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by all to approve the following Special Exception Applications to include any and all stipulations as noted on the Zoning & Appeals recommendation: and Section 95 Requirements staff report:  #2771 Larry8 & Dorothy' Winningham #2773 Christopher & Ericka Wright #2774 SRF PerryLLC #2776 John Faherty Eileen Ford-Faherty #2777 Andres Acosta #2778 Maebell Burchette #2772 Matthew & Jesica Martin #2779 Delbert & April Golden  Health and wellness training Game Truck Business Solar Technician Maintenance Shop Apparel Decoration Short-term Rental & Property Management Personal Care Lawn Care Business Lawn Care Business  and to disapprove thet following Special Exception Applications:  Mr. Andrews instructed those applicants whose applications were approved on the next step ing getting their business license, whichi ist to go tot the Commissioner's Office and apply for the County Attorney Tom Hall madea al blanket statement fort thel benefit ofa alla applicants for Special Exceptions for home occupations, that even if the Board of Commissioners approves an application, neighborhood covenants may still impose certain restrictions upon or against home businesses. These restrictive covenants are not superseded by any action the Board of Commissioners takes. The actions taken by the Boardy will not change any provision within the Leading into the FY25 Budget Presentation, Chairman Perdue spoke at length about the requirements by the State of Georgia for having accurate property assessment values as mandated by the Georgia Department of Revenue. He then spoke about the negative implications should the County be deficient in its assessed residential property values. He finished by presenting the FY25 budget for the County, and speaking on revenue, expenses Commissioner Byrde expressed his appreciationt to all who werei involved int the! budget process. Chairman Perdue expressed his appreciation to Chief Financial Officer Danyelle George, Senior Accountant Will Davis and Director of Administration Robbie Dunbar for their hard work on Chairman Perdue closed the regular portion oft the meeting and opened al Public Hearing. Colonel Kit Allen gave his appreciation for the great explanation and for the promise by the Frankie Ross thanked the Chairman and Commissioners for their hard work and the thorough Jennifer and David Tribble thanked the Chairman and Commissioners for the explanation aboutt thet taxa assessments but questioned whyt the assessed value on! her house couldi increase SO dramatically. Jennifer stateds she was concerned with the appraisal process.  license.  covenant that prohibits any commercial or business activity.  and al balanced budget.  preparing the budget.  Commissioners of doing their best to not raise taxes. explanation given about the budget and tax assessments.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 380    580  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 379  David Tribblel had a question about accessories such asap pool and how having a pool could be assessed itself andi increase the value of the entire property when his pooli is over five years Jacqueline Taylor spoke about having a tax cap for senior citizens and spoke about the Greg Suttons said hev was concerned: about thosev who are retired and onaf fixedi income and the impact that this tax assessment would have on their budget. He questioned the permanence Chairman Perdue commented that the only way to remove the tax cap in Houston County would bet fora ar referendum fori the voters of Houston County to vote on removingi it. Robert Barringer commented on the idea ofi increasing the $250.00 senior citizen benefit the County offers. He also commented that high taxes contribute to blight because homeowners Janet Wells expressed concern about the appraisal process for residential property in! Houston County. She stated that she was willing to hire her own appraiser for an independent verification of her property's value and see how it would compare with the County's assessment. She further commented about surrounding counties offering a decrease on schoolt taxes for residents 65 and over and questioned why Houston County couldn't do the Chairman Perdue replied that Houston County schools are outstanding because of the community's financial support and that decreasing this support would decrease the high  old.  hardships thats seniors facei financially from these! high tax assessments.  oft thet tax capi in Houston County.  don'thave the moneyt tor repair their property.  same.  quality of the schools.  Zeng) Xiamg) Yanl hada a question about at freeze on! home revaluations. Chairman Perdue mentioned HouseE Bill 581 and how this referendum ifp passed, would provide foraf floating! homestead exemption, which would perform a similar action. Leroy Smithh had questions about commercial property and how, with noi improvements made tol his property, it couldi increase soI much in value over the pastf few years. Chairman Perdue commented that commercial property had not seen as much of a rise in revaluations in the past but that commercial property was now being reassessed in Houston Rev. Dr. Rutha. Jackson thanked Chairman Perdue for the thorough explanation and advised that she owns rental property and with these assessments raising taxes on! her properties that she will be forced to raise the rental rates for thosel living in her rental properties. She also expressed the idea of having senior citizens be assessed at a lower rate and concluded her remarks by thankingt the Board for holding the line ont the rise ini millage rates. Susan Lemme spoke aboutt the history oft the home she lives ina and the age and condition ofit along withi itsl location. She asked, with all these factors, how her home could be assessed to the level it was. She expressed her appreciation for the potential ofa a millage rate rollback, thanked the Boardf for an opportunity to give public comments and asked that the Board do  County.  what they could to! helps senior citizens.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 381    381  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 380  Mike Ross had a question about a law that would stop people from receiving an assessment Chairman Perdue advised that the assessment notice would still be received first before the actual tax bill but that the format for the assessment notice will change to make it more Betty Douglas thanked the Board for the opportunity to speak and spoke about the high tax assessment increase on! her property and how hard it will be on her budget and the budgets ofr many on at fixedi income. She spoke inf favor of havinga a decreased ore eliminated: school tax Sara Gilbert spoke about the 20% increase in value of her property that was reflected in the assessment she recently received and hoped for a full rollback of the millage rate. She also encouraged all those in attendance to vote for the HB 581 referendum to be voted on in November that would cap assessment increases to 3% annually. She also spoke about the needt to assess property valuesi ina a uniform manner across the County and contact the Board Chairman Perdue explained that the County was not responsible for setting the Board of Education's millage rate but that he had a conversation with Dr. Scott with the Board of Education, andt they were looking to rollback their millage rate. He also advised that the City Thomas Reynolds expressed his thoughts on how retirees were expected to pay all the taxes that they do already, and then have their homes assessed ats such al high rate. He wonderedif the Board was raising taxest through assessed property values ahead of House Bill 581 passing Stephanie Hilll had a question about how commercial properties are assessed. She also wanted tok knowi ifinvestment properties were assesseda att thes samer rate as owner-occupied properties all over the county or by area. She advised that her home was over 100 years old and Chairman Perdue advised that assessments can ber made neighborhood by neighborhood for increasing or decreasing values ins specific areas. He also advised that homestead exemption With no further comments, Chairman Perdue closed the Public Hearing and reopened the Chairman Perdue thankede everyone for thel kind and courteous wayi in which they spoke tot the  noticef first and then al bill later.  understandable.  fors senior citizens as well.  ofE Education: about rolling back their millage rate as well.  of Warner Robins was alsol lookingt tor rollback their millage rate as well.  in November.  questioned how her home was assessed as! high asi it was.  ist the only difference between rental and owner-occupied homes.  regular portion of the meeting.  board. He then calledf fora a short five- minute recess. Chairman Perdue called the meeting backt to order.  Motion! by Mr. Gottwals, second by Mr. Talton, and carried unanimously by allt to approve the reappointment of Eddie Walker to the Zoning and Appeals board for a term of 06-06-2024 Mr. Gottwals presenteda a request tof fixa a clerical error made att the May 21, 2024 meeting.  through 06-05-2028.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 382    382  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 381  Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Mr. Byrd and carried unanimously by all to approve the reappointment of Dr. Jeff Washington to the Houston County Library Board for a term of Chairman Perdue apologized for the error making it onto the last agenda, butt this action will Mr. Gottwals presented. ar request for approval of poll workers for the upcoming June 18, 2024 Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Mr. Talton, and carried unanimously by all to approve hiring the following poll workers for the. June 18, 2024 General Primary/Nonpartisan Runoff Election, andi for the Accounting Department tor make any and all budget adjustments:  07/01/2024- 06/30/2028. reverse and take care oft that error. General Primary/Nonpartisan Runoff Election.  17 Managers (Precinct) 34 Assistant Managers (Precinct) 51 Clerks 3 Training 5 Janitors 1 Janitor 99 BMD (Ballot Marking Device) 2 Election Supply Load Out Help 3 Election Night Equipment Return Help 3 Election Night Check-In Clerks 17 Supply pick-up/return supplies (Managers) 17 Cell Phones 2 Ballot Scan Clerks  $175.00 $125.00 $115.00 $25.00 $15.50 $25.00 $2.00 $75.00 $75.00 $75.00 $10.00 $10.00 $100.00 TOTAL  $2975.00 $4250.00 $5,865.00 $75.00 $77.50 $25.00 $198.00 $150.00 $225.00 $225.00 $170.00 $170.00 $200.00 $14,605.50  Ms. Robinson presented a request for approval of an Automatic Aid Agreement to enhance fire protection and response in both the city limits of Centerville and the unincorporated Motion! by Ms. Robinson, second! by Mr. Talton, and carried unanimously by allt to approve the signing ofa an Automatic Aid Agreement between Houston County Board of Commissioners and Commissioner Byrd stated that this agreement is very simple, yet very important to citizens Chairman Perdue invited Houston County Fire Chief Chris Stonert toi introduce his special guest. Chief Stoner introduced Centerville Fire Chief. Jason. Jones who expressed his thanks to the Board for their support of this aid agreement between the City of Centerville and Houston Ms. Robinson presentedar request to acknowledge consent ofa ana agreement between the City ofWarner Robins andH Houston County Sheriff Cullen Taltont to allowi the city Police Department to use CorrectHealth Houston, LLC to perform blood draws for suspected driving under the Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by all to approve the acknowledgement of consent of an agreement between the City of Warner Robins and Houston County Sheriff Cullen Talton for blood draws performed by CorrectHealth Houston,  County areas north of Watson Blvd. The City of Centerville.  living in! Houston County and the City of Centerville.  County.  influence.  LLC.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 383    383  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 382  Chairman Perdue commented that this action was needed on behalf of the County to know how tol handle the financial agreement with the City of Warner Robins Police Department. Ms. Robinson presented Independent Contractor. Agreements with the. Juvenile Court that are Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Gottwals, and carried unanimously by all to approve an Independent Contractor. Agreement with Genghis X. Shakhan int the amount of $17,500.02 for the term. July 1,2024t through December 31, 2024, anl Independent Contractor. Agreement with Kameyan Sims int the amount of $52,500.001 for the term ofJ July 1, 2024 through. June 30, 2025, anl Independent Contractor. Agreement with Glendal Harperi int the amount of$ $16,666.00 for the term of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025, an Independent Contractor Agreement with Caralyn. J.H Huddleston int the amount of $24,500.001 for the term of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025, and anl Independent Contractor. Agreement with April Kelly Neali in the amount Mr. Byrd presented a request for approval of Memorandums of Agreement for services with Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by all to approve the signing ofp professionals services contracts with Robins Pharmacy, Empoweredi Living Counseling and Life Coaching, LLC, IHOPE, Inc., Infinite Health Wellness, LLC., and Houston County. Chairman Perdue expressed his appreciation to the Accountability Court for helping the citizens theys serve stay ont the right path through personal accountability. Mr. Byrd presented: a request for approval ofal bid for the sale of approximately 36.8 acres of timber tol be! harvested: and sold from the Landfill property. Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Mr. Gottwals, and carried unanimously by all to approve the acceptance ofab bid from Rozier Forest Products, LLCof Jeffersonville, Georgia, int the amount of$152,342.40 with a contract time oft twelve months. Mr. Byrd commented that a 45% benefit was gained for the taxpayers through the bid process on this action by going witht the highest bid. Mr. Byrd presented: a request to upgrade the Emergency Services Records Management Server Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by all to approve the signing of contracts tol build at fiber link from the Houston County Annex tot the City of Warner Robins enabling speed increase allowing for better service. The total cost of this project is Chairman Perdue stated that the current fiber connection owned by Cox was outdated and needed to be replaced. Updating the connection to the server hosted by the City of Warner Robin's will ensure secure connectivity for Houston County law enforcement needs. Mr. Talton presented a request for approval of a bid on the 2024 Joint Local Maintenance  up for renewal.  of $50,000.001 for the term of July 1,2 2024t through. June 30, 2025.  the Accountability Court ofH Houston County.  connection.  $66,868.99 which willl be paid from 2018 SPLOST funds.  Improvement Grant Roadl Improvement Project.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 384    384  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 383  Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by all to approve the bid from Reames and Son Construction Co., of Perry, Georgia, int the amount of $6,379,978.91 for the 2024 Joint Local Maintenance Improvement Grant Road Improvement Project. This amount represents aj joint bid with the cities of Byron, Centerville, Perry and' Warner Robins. Houston County's portion oft this contracti is $3,098,486.99 to! bep paidf for by LMIGI Funds, ARPA Mr. Byrda advised thata a 47% cost benefit tot taxpayers was realized through the bid process by Chairman Perdue advised that Local Road Assistance Funds and ARPA Funds will be utilized Mr. Talton presented ar request to crusht the concrete stockpile at Public Works. Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Gottwals and carried unanimously! by all to approve al bid from Heidelberg Materials ofE Bolingbroke, Georgiai int the amount of $11.50 per ton. This work Chairman Perdue stated that Heidelberg Materials, the winning bidder, now has a local office in Houston County. He also complimented Roads and Bridges Superintendent Travis McClendon for stockpiling material at Public Works to be used as needed on County Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by all toa approve the Chairman Perdue closed the regular portion of the meeting and opened Public Comments. Meg Mehserle spoke about! her views one election integrity issues and her feelings about being let go as a poll worker from the Houston County Board of Elections. As there were noi further comments Chairman Perdue closed Public Comments. Chairman Perdue opened Commissioner's Comments.  Funds, LRAI Funds, and 2018 SPLOST funds. going with the lowest bidderf fori this work. and leveraged to getr more work done.  will be paid for out oft the Roads and Bridges budget.  construction: sites.  payment oft the bills totaling $5,584,946.90.  Mr. Gottwals expressed his appreciation to those who spoke before the Board regarding the reassessed values of their homes ins such a respectful and courteous way. He expressed his appreciation to Chairman Perdue for the professional way hep presented the FY25 budget and Ms. Robinson mentioned how goodt the meeting was with different perspectives and opinions allb being voiced inap positive way. She further advised that seeking an appeal was a great way Mr. Talton expressed his thanks for the respectful way everyone brought their concerns about the tax assessments before the Board and for the citizens of Houston County entrusting the Mr. Byrd echoed the previous Commissioners' comments on the healthy and fruitful discussions int the meeting. He reiterated that the Board focuses on providing the best service and services possible int the most cost-efficient way. He concluded his remarks by speaking on the cooperation exhibited between Houston County and the Cities through the agreements  the assessment process.  tos save money and thanked everyone for attending the meeting.  Board with making the best decisions possible.  approved during the meeting.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 385    385  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 384  Chairman Perdue explained that the July Commissioners meetings would be moved back a week due tot the 4th of July holiday week and that the meetings in July would be on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays. He thanked those who came to speak about the tax assessment in sucha a respectful manner during the Public Hearing. He mentioned that he and his family spent the weekend in Honduras on a mission trip to an orphanage. He said this experience really put things into perspective for him, especially how blessed he personally is and how blessed hei is to work with the great Commissioners on the Board and the wonderful staff who work with Motion to adjourn by Mr. Gottwals, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by all.  the County. Meeting adjourned. Robbie Dunbar Director of Administration  Chairman Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner