APPLING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS CALLED MEETING (BRG Consultants Review of Hospital)  August 8th, 2024 @ 4:001 P.M.  CALLTOORDER/WELCOME/INVOCATION/PLEDGE  The. Appling County Board of Commissioners held a called meeting on Thursday, August gth, The meeting was called to order by Chairman Leslie Burch and he welcomed all those in Cindy Tomberlin gave the invocation and Steve. Aycock 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 Manager Al Meadows and County Clerk Robyn Evans. Commissioner Harris made ai motion to approve the agenda; Commissioner Sellers seconded; County Manager Meadows introduced representatives from BRG Consulting Group, whom were contracted to review Appling Healthcare System. Mr. Paul Osborne, Managing Director and Client Executive for BRG, further introduced himself and Mr. Garett Mann, Associate and Project Director. Mr. Osborne gave al brief summary of the company and the process for the review. He stated they completed numerous executive interviews and tours of each department. They compiled numerous amounts of data/reports and found losses for FY'24 annualized from April data in the amount of $5.61 million. They identified improvement opportunities; strategic opportunities to mitigate losses and still provide needed services to the community. A copy oft the report presented during the meeting will be emailed to County Manager Meadows  2024 at 4:00. PM in the Courthouse Annex.  attendance.  unanimously approved.  and a copy placed in the official meeting file. CHAIRMAN'S COMMENTS  Chairman Burch thanked everyone for their attendance.  ADJOURN  There being no further business or discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 7:201 PM.  Eauls Busn Leslie Burch, Chairman  Ga RobynEvans, Coupey ATTEST  APPLING COUNTY E GEORGIA    APPLING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS  REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Rescheduled from 8/4 August 13+h,2024 @ 5:30 P.M.  CALLTOORDER/WELCOMEINVOCATION/PLEDGE  The Appling County Board of Commissioners held the regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, August 13th, The meeting was called to order by Chairman Leslie Burch and he welcomed all those in attendance. Commissioner Sellers gave thei invocation and Henry. Jones led the group int thej pledge. Present were Chairman Leslie Burch; Vice Chairman Charlie Leggett; Commissioners Randy Sellers, Theodore Wilkerson, Daryl Edwards and Doug) Harris. Also present were County Manager AI Meadows, Chairman Burch requested approval for the agenda as printed. Commissioner Harris made a motion to  2024 at 5:30 PMi int the Courthouse Annex.  County Attorney Tracy Brown and County Clerk Robyn Evans.  APPROVALOF, AGENDA  approve the addition; Commissioner Sellers seconded; unanimously approved.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES  A. Called Meeting/Budget Work Session July 9th, 2024 B. Regular Monthly Meeting - July 9t, 2024 seconded; unanimously approved. OLD BUSINESS  Commissioner Harris made a motion to approve the minutes presented; Commissioner Edwards  The FY'24-25 lease renewal for DBH&DD (Pineland) - County Clerk Evans stated numerous contacts were made to Pineland in regards to the requested addendum for the contract, but no response. Commissioner Edwards made ai motion to table this item; seconded by Commissioner Leggett;  unanimously approved. NEW BUSINESS  Adopt Employee Insurance Plan FY'2025  County Manager Meadows reminded the Board, "on July 30+h, 2024, Mike Malloy, our representative from Lighthouse Benefits, presented the Board of Commissioners the Benefit Renewal Plan for County employees. Mr. Malloy stated that our medical premium increased by 19% due to increased claims. Working within the same plan, he has an alternative proposal that increases our premium by 16%." Mr. Malloy gave a brief overview ofthe recommended options. After several questions amongst the Board and responses from Mr. Malloy, Commissioner Harris made. ai motion to adopt the medical options recommended by Lighthouse Benefits, along with the Chronic Illness Program; Commissioner Sellers Commissioner Harris made ai motion to approve Humana for voluntary dental and vision plans;  seconded; unanimously approved.  Commissioner Edwards seconded; unanimously approved.    Recommendation to change from Guardian tol Renaissance for lifei insurance was given by Mr. Malloy. The County offers this benefit, free to the employees, but also offers additional voluntary life, short-term and long-term disability options. These options are portable for employees. Commissioner Harris made a motion to accept this change; Commissioner Wilkerson seconded; unanimously approved. County Clerk Evans announced that Open Enrollment for benefits would begin the following Monday thru Friday. A The agreement was presented as received from entity. Several Commissioners were not aware this program was served under Pineland umbrella and were not aware when the original agreement was made or what it entailed. Admin staff will research more details. This item was tabled on ai motion by Commissioner Edwards; seconded by Commissioner Leggett; unanimously approved.  copy of the proposal is included in the official meeting folder. Appling/Jeff Davis Service Center Lease Renewal  FY'2024) LRA (LMIG/FY'2023 SPLOST Road Projects  County Manager Meadows shared the following. Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) awarded. Appling County $1,399,363.24 in Local Road Assistance (LRA) funds, in addition to 2024 LMIG funds. These funds require the same administrative controls as the regular LMIG, to include a project list. The LRA does not require ai match from the county (typically 10%). Thej proposed project list  consists off four (4) roads.  Merrell Miles Road (1.00 Mile of Grade, Drain Base and Pave)  Estimated cost to pave this road: $800,000  GDOT, Mrs. Ann Purcell, allocated an additional $325,000 ofadditional LMIG funds to get this project started and utilize approximately $475,000.00 +/- ofLRA FUNDS to complete.  Dunn's Lake Road (1.709 Miles Patching, Leveling, Resurfacing).  This road was on the 2024 SPLOST list and ist the dividing line for District 1 and 2. By utilizing LRA funds District 1 and 2 can use their 2024 SPLOST Road funds on other roads in their districts. This will cost approximately $350,000.00 ofLRA Funds +/-t to complete. Holmesville Road (4.00 miles of2) Ft Widening Lt/Rt). Holmesville Road has begun to deteriorate rapidly due to the increased amount oftraffic, and Commissioner Harris has agreed to move it tot #1 on the 4th District 2024 SPLOSTList. This road is heavily used by commercial traffic. By using LRA funds to widen the existing 201 ft. roadway the shoulders willl be preserved longer. This will provide as safer corridor to the traveling public with it being a connector route between two State Routes. The actual paving willl be paid from the 2024 SPLOST, $682,351, but we can use this LRA to get al better product. This will cost approximately $275,000.00 +I-LRA Long Branch (00.350 +/- Miles of Reclamation) Tyre Bridge Road is currently closed to thru traffic for al bridge replacement by Pierce County. Asar result, Long] Branch Road will be heavily used to navigate the south end oft the county. By doing this now we can extend the life oft the road and provide the increased traffic with a safer route toi the traveling public. This will cost  funds, to complete the widening.  approximately $150,000 +/-1 to complete.  The combined estimated cost of the above projects: $1,300,000.00 +/; Once approved, the list willl be submitted to GDOT and work will begin this fall. Commissioner Edwards made a motion to approve  these projects; Commissioner Leggett seconded; unanimously approved.    2024 SPLOST  At the end of. July, $959,534 has been collected in SPLOST funds for thel Roads category, with an average $155,000 in collections per month in this category, per County Manager Meadows. "The total amount of projected. revenue in the road category is $10.5 million (about $2 million) per District." County Manager Meadows proposed to proceed with Holmesville Road using LRA funds and Bethel Church Road, stating "These two roads are in need ofi repair now. We can combine thel LRA with this proposal and pay the invoices out oft the appropriate fund. " Commissioner Leggett made ai motion to approve this project;  Commissioner Edwards seconded; unanimously approved.  FY'2025 LMIG Road Projects  County Manager Meadows shared that Appling County's allocation for the 2025 LMIG is $1,152,992.44 with al local: match of 10%. Applications for these funds expires on February 1,2 2025 and he recommends paving Lake Mayer's Road for an estimated cost of $1,100,000. Commissioner) Leggett made a motion to approve this project, contingent on receipt off funds; Commissioner Edwards seconded; unanimously  approved.  AirMedCare Network Municipal Site Membership Agreement  County Manager Meadows informed the Board that Appling County has maintained a contract with AirMedCare for many years. The contract states "Anyi individual who resides within the boundaries of Appling County, when transported for medical necessity by AirEvac Life team, will be covered under the standard terms of conditions for an. AirMedCare network membership." "This is a great asset to the citizens of our county. This contract is up for renewal at 70,024."Commissoner Leggett made ai motion torenew the agreement; Commissioner Sellers seconded; unanimously approved.  PUBLIC INPUT None at this meeting. SHERIFP'SOFFICE-Mark Melton No report for this meeting. PUBLIC BUILDINGS- Dwight Watts Noi report fort this meeting. PARKS & RECREATION- Timmy McGuirt  Mr. McGuirt gave an overview of current happenings in this department. Hej provided the Board with a three (3) page review ofe each activity, which is included int the official meeting folder. Commissioner Edwards thanked Mr. McGuirt and his staff for all oftheir hard work, especially the State Swim Meet. Mr. Weaver shared with the Board that 1361 roads were initially closed due to the recent storm; only eight (8) are still closed but these require major work to repair. He expressed appreciation to GA Department of Transportation for their assistance and dump trucks hauling dirt for Appling County roads. They initially  ROADS & BRIDGES - Carroll Weaver  loaned ten (10), then twelve (12), then five (5) additional trucks.  LANDFILL- Robert Eunice six (6) months EPD: inspection.  Mr. Eunice thanked the Board for approving the new well at landfill and stated they'dj just completed their    FIRE DEPARTMENT/DIVE TEAM- Linton Deloach  No report for this meeting. EXECUTIVE SESSION seconded; unanimously approved.  Chairman Burch stated there was ai need for executive session for personnel and litigation. Commissioner Leggett made ai motion to close regular session and enter executive session; Commissioner. Harris Commissioner Leggett made a motion to close executive session and re-enter regular session;  Commissioner Harris seconded; unanimously approved.  PERSONNEL  County Manager Meadows asked the Board for a vote regarding personnel - to make the part-time 4-H extension position a full-time position increasing the budget by $12,000.00. Commissioner Leggett made amotion to approve this change; Commissioner Harris seconded; unanimously approved.  LITIGATION  County Manager Meadows asked the Board to approve additional funding authorizing County Attorney Brown to acquire co-counsel for pending litigation. Commissioner Harris motioned to approve this  request; Commissioner Leggett seconded; unanimously approved.  COUNTY MANAGER'SI REPORT  County Manager Meadows shared, "Appling County entered into al Local State of Emergency on Aug 4th due to Tropical Storm Debby. Our Emergency Management Agency was fully staffed and began monitoring conditions and coordinating all storm recovery actions. While the worst oft the storm lasted four (4) days, clean up and repair continues. Appling County experienced rainfall that hadn't been seen in years; from August 4th to the evening of the 6th, the waste water plant received 15.2 inches ofrain. This amount ofr rainfall not only damaged our roads but also caused several large ponds and lakes to overflow dams and cause more damage. GDOT helped us greatly and will be with us untill Friday. I would like thank all the county and city employees that participated during the storm and in the cleanup; EMA Staff, Sheriff's Office, Baxley Police Dept, Rural and City Fire Depts., Rescue, First Responders, and the Coroner's. A special thanks to the County and City Public Works Dept. These men and women have worked for the last 11 days straight and continue to do sO to keep our roads open and the lights on."  CHAIRMAN'SCOMMENTS Chairman Burch thanked everyone for attending.  ADJOURN  There being no further business or discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 8:35 PM.  Robyn Evans, County Clerk  Leslie Burch, Chairman  BOARD OFs . 87 PAPPLING COUNTY GEORGIA  %  8ol Bwd