APPLING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS CALLED MEETING (BUDGET WORK SESSION) MINUTES  July 9th, 2024 @ 3:001 P.M.  CALLTOORDERAWERMVELCOME/NVOCATIONPLEDGE  The Appling County Board of Commissioners held a called meeting on Tuesday, July gth, 2024 The meeting was called to order by Chairman Leslie Burch and he welcomed all those in Commissioner Daryl Edwards gave the invocation and Frank Smith led the group in the pledge. Present were Chairman Leslie Burch; Vice Chairman Charlie Leggett; Commissioners Randy Sellers, Theodore Wilkerson (arrived late), Daryl Edwards and Doug Harris. Also present were County Attorney Tracy Brown (arrived late), County Clerk Robyn Evans and Finance Clerk LaFonda Solomon. County Manager Al Meadows was absent for this meeting.  at 3:00 PMi int the Courthouse Annex.  attendance.  NEW BUSINESS  Review and Amend Proposed FY'2025 Budget  County Clerk Robyn Evans began by stating this is the second budget workshop to discuss the County'sF FY'2025 budget. The goal is to adopt the budget and millage rate during the September 10th board meeting. The second draft oft the budget is available on the BOC website for public The Commissioners discussed several items including the following: differences in telephone usage for each department; tax assessment values increasing, which should increase revenues; Sheriff's office salaries increasing; etc. Probate Judge Bailey spoke on behalfofher department  viewing.  tol keep Associate Judge Terry Turner on salary fulltime.  COUNTY: MANAGER'S REPORT  County Clerk Robyn Evans announced the next budget work session will be held on Tuesday,  August 6th, 2024 at 3:00 PM before the regular monthly meeting. Chairman Burch thanked everyone for their attendance.  CHAIRMAN'S COMMENTS  ADJOURN GA  There beingr no further business or discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 4:451 PM.  BOARD PORCO APPLING COUNTY GEORGIA  SaBueh Leslie Burch, Chairman  RobynEvans, County Cler ATTEST    APPLING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS  REGULAR MEETING MINUTES July 9th,2024 @ 5:30 P.M.  CALLTOORDER/WELCOME/INVOCATION/PLEDGE  The Appling County Board of Commissioners held the regular monthly meeting on' Tuesday,July 9H, The meeting was called to order by Chairman Leslie Burch and he welcomed all those in attendance.  2024 at 5:30 PM int the Courthouse. Annex.  Frank Smith gavet thei invocation and Chad Kent led the group in 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 All Meadows, Chairman Burch requested approval fort the agenda as printed. County Clerk Robyn Evans stated that Andy Sellers wished tol be added to. Public Input in regards to. Appling Healthcare. Commissioner Edwards made ai motion to approve the addition; Commissioner Sellers seconded; unanimously approved.  County Attorney Tracy Brown and County Clerk Robyn Evans.  APPROVALOF AGENDA  APPROVALOFA MINUTES A. Regular Meeting- - June 4t,2024 seconded; unanimously approved. B. Called Meeting - June 17th, 2024 unanimously approved.  Commissioner Harris made ai motion to approve the minutes presented; Commissioner Wilkerson  Commissioner Harris made a motion to approve the minutes presented; Commissioner Sellers seconded; Before entering the new business items, County Manager Meadows introduced and welcomed new County Extension staff: Carrie Vanderver, County Agent (Family and Consumer Sciences) and Will  Brown, County ANR. Agent (Agriculture and Natural Resources).  NEW BUSINESS  Appling Healthcare. Auxiliary Resolution  County Manager Meadows read ai resolution that expressed appreciation and dedication to the Appling Healthcare System Auxiliary members, for over 25+ years to1 the community. He then introduced Cary Long who spoke on the accomplishments oft the auxiliary over those years and the commitment ofe each member. Mr. Long shared that the Auxiliary was being dissolved and their final donation of$104,819.02, will be given to the County for purchase of an ambulance. Each member present was then presented a  copy of the signed resolution.  Appling Healthcare System Financial Update  County Manager Meadows shared that on June 27h, 2024, he received al letter from Andrea Graham, the CEO of Appling Healthcare. She requested the County increase the allotted budget for the hospital from $1 million to $3.5 million dollars. On April 16", 2024, the County entered into a contract with Berkley Research Group (BRG) to conduct a comprehensive performance improvement assessment ofthe hospital in order toi identify opportunities and toi improve financial and operational performance. The letter was shared with BRG and they will work closely with the Board and the hospital stafft to find a solution.    PUBLICI INPUT  Tonya Weaver, Unit Director for the Adult Psychiatric Unit, spoke to the Board stating there are 400 plus employees at Appling Healthcare and 70% ofthose live in Appling County. She asked the Board what the long-term effects will bei int the County ifthel hospital is closed and to explore all options tol keepi it open. Melisa Bass, Manager oft the Radiology Department, spoke to the public asking everyone to write letters, Andy Sellers, spoke from the heart, stating he began his career cleaning rooms and is now al Nurse Practitioner. He stated that healthcare doesn'tmake money and there's no quick fix to the current issue. He asked that the Board work with the hospital to find a resolution and stop: focusing on the negative. Quite a lengthy discussion was held amongst thel Board of Commissioners, each one commenting with concerns and questions to consider. CEOA Andrea Graham shared there is currently a shortage of mid-level medical staff and that a general practitioner (fresh out ofs school) will possibly accept no less than $250,000/year in our area. She also expressed her concern that noj physician is going to relocate to the  come to meetings, and help preserve thel hospital.  area with the negativity in the community, surrounding the hospital. USDA/Natural Resources Conservation Service Lease Renewal  NEWI BUSINESS CONTINUED  County Manager Meadows stated that US Dept of Agriculture has two separate offices, located in our Oak Street complex, in Appling County. One is the USDA Service Center that addresses Farm Services and the other is Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS). The County has renewed the Farm Service lease earlier this year and the NRCS lease is now upi for renewal. Commissioner Harris made a motion to approve the lease renewal; seconded by Commissioner Edwards; unanimously approved. County Manager Meadows shared that the Brunswick Judicial Circuit is made up of five counties: Camden, Glynn, Wayne, Jeff] Davis, and. Appling. The Brunswick Judicial Circuit Public Defender Indigent Services Contract for FY-24/25 is upi for renewal. This agreement provides for the operation of an indigent defense system to assure that adequate and effective legal representation is provided independent of political considerations to indigent defendants in criminal cases. This is a budgeted item and the county's cost is 156,5039.Commisioner Edwards made ai motion to approve the contract; County Manager Meadows reported to the Board that the bid forj janitorial services for Appling Co. Department ofl Family and Children Services Building was advertised early June and thel bids were opened on. June 25th, 2024. The contract timeline is for six (6) months, ending December 315, 2024. Commissioner Edwards made ai motion to award the contract to Grasshopper Pro Services, the lowest County Manager Meadows stated that Appling Heritage Center is in need ofai roof replacement. "Mr. Dwight Watts and his crew havej patched and sealed it for years but it is now gotten to the point, it needs to be totally replaced. The county received three bids with the lowest being submitted by DBM Construction, located in) Lyons GA, for $21,850.1 Ifapproved, funds forj payment are available from the 2018 SPLOST line item 'Heritage Center". Current available balance for this line item is $96,029.69. Commissioner Edwards made. a motion toi table this item until appropriate bids could be received: for  GAI Public Defender Indigent Services Contract  Commissioner Leggett seconded; unanimously approved.  DFCSJanitorial ContractAward  bidder; Commissioner Leggett seconded; unanimously approved.  Appling Heritage Center- - New Roof  raising the roof; Commissioner Sellers seconded; unanimously approved.    OLD BUSINESS  Baxley/Appling County Hospital Authority Board - Expired Seats  CMI Meadows shared the County has two seats, on the Hospital Authority Board, set to expire on July 31*, 2024. They are. Leel Lewis and Perry White. Both are willing to serve another term.  The following nominations were announced. Chairman Burch nominated, Keith Davis  Current - Lee! Lewis  Current-Perry' White  Commissioner. Edwards nominated, Lee Lewis Chairman Burch nominated, Doug Harris Commissioner Leggett nominated WallySapp Commissioner Wilkerson nominated, Randy Sellers Commissioner Sellers made ai motion to approve all nominations; Commissioner Wilkerson seconded;  Commissioner Sellers nominated, Leslie Burch  unanimously approved. Timber Harvesting Ordinance  County Manager Meadows addressed the Board, "The County's1 Timber Harvesting Ordinance hasn't been updated in several years. Commissioner Harris has drafted an updated version that addresses the problems we: face today such as road and ditch damage with respect to timber operations. The primary function ofa Timber Ordinance is to ensure compliance with laws related tol harvesting timber and preserving the forest resources and our rural roads. Once approved this ordinance willl be sent electronically to all known timber harvesters that operate in our county." This item was presented in the previous month's meeting and tabled for review. Commissioner Harris made ai motion to approve the ordinance as presented; commissioner Leggett seconded; unanimously approved.  Dept. of Family & Children Services Lease Renewal Commissioner Wilkerson seconded; unanimously approved.  County Manager Meadows explained the lease expired on June 30th, 2024 and they wish to renew at the same price of$49,000 per year. Commissioner Edwards made a motion to approve the lease renewal;  DBH & DD (Pineland) Lease Renewal  Thel lease for the Pineland Bldg. located on South Main Street will expire on June 30th, 2024 according to County Manager Meadows. The Pineland Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities organization wishes to remain at tenant and requests to: renew: their lease at the current rent of $2300 per month for one year. (Fiscal year $20,700) County. Attorney Tracy Brown advised thel Board that he'd reviewed this agreement and would like to provide an addendum to. Pineland to consider before signing the contract. Commissioner Leggett made a motion to table this item until the next meeting;  Commissioner. Harris seconded; unanimously approved. HERIEPSOEPICE- Mark Melton Noi report was given for this meeting. PUBLIC BUILDINGS- Dwight Watts No report was given for this meeting. PARKS & RECREATION- Timmy McGuirt ROADS & BRIDGES - Carroll Weaver  Mr. Weaver shared that it's been a very productive month; still quite al bit of ditch work tol be completed; ablet to build-up some roads but this willl be as slow process due to hauling dirt all over the county. Public landing areas al Lake Mayers and the river landings were plowed and ready for the upcoming holiday.    LANDFILL- Robert Eunice delivered tot the landfill.  Mr. Eunice discussed the most recent tire grant project, stating 3,469 tires (141 tons) in 8 days were  FIRE DEPARTMENTDIVE: TEAM- Linton Deloach Mr. DeLoach stated these departments were business as usual.  EXECUTIVE SESSION PERSONNEL  Commissioner Leggett made ai motion to close the regular meeting and enter into executive session; Commissioner Harris made ai motion to end executive session and re-enter the regular meeting;  Commissioner Harris seconded; unanimously approved. Commissioner Leggett seconded; unanimously approved.  County Manager Meadows announced that Carroll Weaver completed his interim probationary period and his salary will bei increased to $66,560.00 annually. Commissioner Edwards made ai motion to approve  this personnel action; Commissioner Leggett seconded; unanimously approved.  COUNTYMANAGERSREPORT  County Manager Meadows shared that the 4th of] July fireworks this year were. held at the tractor pull area on the 29th ofJune. "Wel had a great turn out and a successful show. Iwould like to thank the Commissioners for sponsoring this event. Also, the State Swim Meet will bel hosted by Appling on. July 19th and 20th. Last year was a great success and Ifully expect this year to be even better."  CHAIRMAN'S COMMENTS Thanked everyone for attending.  ADJOURN  There being no further business or discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 8:35 PM.  T BOARD Op APPLING COUNTY GEORGIA  Robyn Evans, County Clerk ) aA  Leslie Burch, Chairman  EVAA e  2 BialBuc  ATIEST  PUBLI MAY.  NG COuy