435  Houston County Commissioners Meeting  October 15, 2024 Warner Robins, Georgia  The Houston County Board of Commissioners met in regular session at 5:00 pm on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at the Houston County Annexi in Warner Robins, Georgia, with Chairman Perdue presiding and Commissioners Byrd, Gottwals, Robinson, and Talton present. County Attorneyl Tom! Hall, Director ofA Administration Robbie Dunbar, and Director of Operations Brian  Jones were also present.  Commissioner Byrdl led those present int the Pledge of Allegiance.  Pastor Stephen Byrd of Central Baptist Church gave the Invocation. He spoke briefly about the church's 70-year history in Houston County and its mission and then concluded by inviting Chairman Perdue and the Commissioners thanked Pastor Byrd for his prayer and the church's service tot the community. Mr. Byrd commented that hel had been married at Central Baptist Chairman Perdue recognized Mr. Dante Handel, Associate Director of Government Affairs for ACCG, who presented Georgia State Representative Shaw Blackmon with ACCG's Legislative Service Award. Mr. Handel stated that Representative Blackmon received the award for his work on, support of, and assistance getting HB 581 passed this most recent session of the Accepting the award, Representativel Blackmon commented" thati it wasa a privilege tov work with local elected officials, despite the challenges faced, inc doing what was best for the citizens of Houston County and the State. He thanked Pastor Byrd for his leadership and recognized his wife, two sons, his parents, Zell Blackmon, Jr. and Ruth Blackmon, and his in-laws, Judge Ed Chairman Perdue thanked Representative Blackmon for his work onH HB5 581 and hisl leadership Chairman Perdue recognized the Webelos of Cub Scout Pack 127, speaking of their attendance at the Commission meeting as part of their Citizenship Adventure badge. Chairman Perdue briefly discussed the Commission's roles, duties, and responsibilities and allowed each scout Motion! by Mr. Talton, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by all to approve the Ms. Robinson presented ar request to update the cameras and microphones in courtrooms A Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Gottwals, and carried unanimously by all to approve the proposal from BIS Digital of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for $12,100. This project, scheduled  thosep present to attend.  Church, and Mr. Talton also said hel hadi married his wife there.  Georgia General Assembly.  Lukemire and his wife Trell, for their attendance.  and further commended his efforts tos serve the interests of Georgians.  toa ask the Commissioners questions. minutes from the October 1, 2024 meeting.  and Ba at Juvenile Court.  for November, willl be funded by 2018 SPLOST.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 436    436  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 435  Chairman Perdue commented that Judge Wilburn would be thankful to get the upgrades in Ms. Robinson presented a request for approval ofab bid on one new Chevrolet Tahoe SUV. Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by all to approve the bid for one new in-stock 2024 Chevy Tahoe SUV for use as an administrative vehicle in the Sheriff's Officef from Brannen Motor Company of Unadilla, Georgia, for $58,990. The Sheriff's Drug Fund will reimburse the General Fund for this vehicle purchase. Mr. Byrd presented a request for approval of an engineering services agreement. Motion by Mr. Byrd, second! by Mr. Talton, and carried unanimously by all to approve entering into an agreement with Saunders Engineering Consultants, Inc., of Centerville, Georgia, for engineering services ont the South Pleasant Hilll Road project, including adding as sidewalk and required drainage tot the east side of the road. This agreement, for $76,000, will bei funded by Chairman Perdue commented that this was a named 2018S SPLOST project but had tob be scaled Mr. Byrd presented: a request for approval ofa ani intergovernmental. agreement. Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by all to approve signing an Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Warner Robins to relocate their underground utilities in conjunction with the South Pleasant Hill Road Project. Per the agreement, approved att the October 7,2024, Warner Robins Council meeting, the contractor Chairman Perdue stated that this agreement allows the contract to include utility relocation,  place.  2018 SPLOST.  down due tou utility relocation and construction costs.  will billt the City of Warner Robins separately to relocate their utilities. reducing conflicts that couldI lengthen the project timeline. Mr. Talton presented: a request for approval ofac change order.  Motion by! Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Gottwals, and carried unanimously by allt to approve the $638,466 change order to the contract with Pyles Plumbing & Utility Contractors, Inc. of Macon, GA, for the HWY341 & Graham Road' Water Project, bringing the contract amount to $1,533,326 and allowing accounting to make any necessary budget adjustments. ARPA will Chairman Perdue advisedi thatt this was a change ins scope, nota at typical change order. Hes stated that this change order wasi immediately adjacent to and attached tot the HWY341 and Graham Road Water project and would help ensure all the County's ARPA funds were obligated on Mr. Talton presented a request to declare a dump truck, that was replaced due to age and  fund this change order.  time.  electrical issues, surplus and auction it.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 437    437  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 436  Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by allt to approve declaring a 2003 International 7600 Tandem Dump Truck as surplus and placing it on GovDeals for an Mr. Gottwals presented: a request tof fill the vacant Deputy Clerk position at Juvenile Court. Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Mr. Talton, and carried unanimously by allt to approve the hiring of Shanavia Rogers to fill the vacant Deputy Clerk position in. Juvenile Court atg grade 14 step B, effective October 16, 2024. Thel Personnell Department has reviewed! her qualifications, Mr. Gottwals presentedar request toe enteri into al Memorandum of Agreement with the Middle Georgia Regional Commission tor review and update the current Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan. Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by all to approve the signing ofal Memorandum of Agreement with the Middle Georgia Regional Commission to review and update the Houston County Pre- Disaster Mitigation Plan. The agreement will not exceed $22,000 and willl ber reimbursed by Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds. Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by all to approve the  online auction.  and she meetst the B-step requirements.  Tos stayi in compliance, this plan must be updated every five years.  payment oft the bills totaling $2,251,771.14. Chairman Perdue opened the floor for Public Comments. property taxes, and the number of apartment buildings being built. those with no children ins school tol be exempt from schoolt taxes.  Mr. Lawrence Wright spoke about his concerns about speeding on Pheasant Ridge Dr., Mr. Thomas Reynolds spoke abouth his desire tol hear back on! hist taxa appeal andf for seniors and Ms. Terrie Kubasiak: spoke about her concerns with voting and the election process. Ms. Meg Mehserle spoke about! her concerns with voting and the election process. HEMA/Fire Chief Chris Stoner spoke about Hurricane Helene's impact in Georgia and the enormous outpouring of support from local businesses, churches, elected officials, and public Mr. Daryl Allen spoke about his support for Ms. Mehserle, his concern about the building Without further comments, the Chairman closed Public Comments and opened Commissioner Mr. Gottwals thanked everyone fora attending and commented that both sides need tot talk and  safety agencies. industry, and otheri issues. Comments.  listent through disagreements.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 438    438  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 437  Ms. Robinson thanked everyone for attending and the Scouts for staying for the whole meeting. She concluded by saying that iti is okay to disagree and have different opinions on Mr. Taltont thanked the Scoutsi for attending. He commented that through their experiencesin Scouting and participating in the Commissioners meeting, they are beginning their involvement inl leadership. He also thankedi ther moms and dads for their support oft the Scouts. He mentioned that early voting had started and that the Georgia National Fair had its second highest attendance. He wished his grandfather, Sheriff Talton, ane early 92nd birthday. Mr. Byrd thanked the Scouts for their attendance and spoke oft their learning to live a life of service through their scouting experience. He finished bys saying that it was an honor and a privilege to serve the citizens of Houston County with an attentive ear and that each Chairman Perdue congratulated Commissioner Byrd for completing the necessary training to become a Certified County Commissioner. He mentioned that the County woulds soon unveil a new County seal and slogan. He recognized Annie White, who attended the meeting as a requirement for Youth Leadership Perry. He concluded his comments and the meeting by Motiont toa adjourn! by Mr. Talton, second by! Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by all. Meeting  the same subject.  commissioner cares deeply about the County.  reading both the Scout Law andi the Scout Oath.  adjourned. Robbie Dunbar Director ofA Administration  Chairman Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner