469 Houston County Commissioners Meeting January 21, 2025 Warner Robins, Georgia The Houston County Board of Commissioners, due to inclement weather, met in regular session at 12:00 p.m., instead of 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at the Houston County Annex in Warner Robins, Georgia. Chairman Perdue presided, and Commissioners Byrd, Gottwals, and Robinson were present. County Attorney Tom Hall, Director of Administration Robbie Dunbar, and Director of Operations Brian Jones were also present. Commissioner Robinson led thosei in attendance int the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioner Talton was not in attendance. Chairman Perdue gave the invocation. Chairman Perdue explained that the scheduled Employee Service Recognition Presentation Jim Marquardt, Perry-Houston County Airport Manager, gave an update on the airport. He statedt that a $956,000 south apron project was underway that would create eight spaces for airplanes to park. Additional projects he spoke about included: the construction of new T- Hangars for 14 additional aircraft, Alpha taxi way repairs, and additional corporate hangars being! built. He reported that trees ont twos sides of the airport are encroaching ont takeoffa and landings and will be cut down or trimmed and that the Airport's 10-year ALP plan (Airport Layout Plan) will need tol be updated sooner than scheduled with the FAA due to the growth oft the Airport. He concluded his remarks bys saying that based ont the number oft takeoffs and landings att the airport the FAAI has upgraded the Airportt to that ofar regional airport. Motion by Ms. Robinson, second! by Mr. Gottwals, to approve the minutes from the. January7, 2024, meeting. Upon voting, Ms. Robinson, Mr. Gottwals, and Chairman Perdue voted yes. Director of Administration Robbie Dunbar read the first reading of the alcohol license application for Monica Kennebrew. The second reading, and Public Hearing will take place during the February 4th, 2025 Commissioners' meeting, at which time action will be taken by Mr. Byrd presented a request for approval of the emergency procurement of six new HVAC Motionl by! Mr. Byrd, second by Mr. Gottwals, toa approve awardo oft thel bid of6r new! HVACUnits from Wilson Bryant Air Conditioning of Macon, Georgia for the price of $57,975.00. This purchase will be paid out oft the 2018 SPLOST. Upon voting, Mr. Byrd, Mr. Gottwals, and Ms. Chairman Perdue explained that, in addition to the units needing repair, it was crucial to purchase new units now before at transition toar new coolant standardi takes place. This would ensure that theser new units uset the same coolant type as other systems in the county. Ms. Robinson presented a request for approval ofab bid on one new in-stock Dodge Durango Motion by Ms. Robinson, second! by Mr. Byrd, toa approve awardo oft the bid on oner new ins stock 2023 Dodge Durango from Woody Folsom Chrysler Dodge. Jeep Ram, Inc of Baxley, Georgia in the amount of $43,000. This purchase will be funded by 2018 SPLOST. Upon voting, Ms. was postponed due tot thei inclement winter weather. Motion carried. the Board. units fori the Magistrate Court. Robinson voted yes. Motion carried. tob be used asa ana admin SUVa att the Detention Center. Robinson, Mr. Byrd, and Mr. Gottwals votedy yes. Motion carried. Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 470 470 Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 469 Chairman Perdue: stated that the County prefers tol buy from local dealers, buti in this case, the need for ani immediate replacement required going with a dealer out of the area who had a vehicle readily available that met the required specifications. He also expressed his appreciation to the Purchasing Department staff for locating a vehicle that would meet the Ms. Robinson presented a request for the reclassification oft the current investigator position and the addition oft two new administrative positions int the Fire Department. Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Gottwals, to approve reclassification of the Investigator Position, #2060 (Grade 19)t to Deputy Chief - Prevention (Grade 23) and addinga Deputy Chief- - Training, position #2070( (Grade 23) and Captain - Prevention position #2071 (Grade 19), tob bee effective February 3, 2025. Also, fora accounting tor make allr necessary budget adjustments. Upon voting, Ms. Robinson, Mr. Gottwals, and Mr. Byrd voted yes. Motion Chairman Perdue explained that he, Fire Chief Chris Stoner, Director of Administration Robbie Dunbar, and Personnel Director Ken Carter all discussed this plan and found that revenue in Ms. Robinson presented a request for approval of a pay matrix for the Fire Department to encourage advancedi training and certification for Houston County Fire Fighters. Motion by! Ms. Robinson, second by! Mr. Byrd, to approve a pay matrixf for the Houston County Fire Department that would award a step increase once a year for each certification or advanced training completed to improve retention and encourage advanced training of Houston County Fire Fighters effective February 3, 2025. Also, for accounting to make any necessary budget adjustments. Upon voting, Ms. Robinson, Mr. Byrd, and Mr. Gottwals voted Chairman Perdue invited Fire Chief Chris Stoner to comment: about this change. Chief Stoner thanked Chairman Perdue and the Board and explained that this is the culmination ofa lot of work and input toward the idea of how tor recognize and reward those firefighters who increased their abilities and knowledge through additional education and certifications. Chief Stoners statedt that this willl helps greatly witht ther recruitment and retention off firefighters and will also increase the service level oft the Houston County Fire Department Chairman! Perdue thanked allt thei firefighters who were present at the meeting and: statedt that this move goes along with his goal of department heads finding ways to reward employees Mr. Gottwals presented a request tot fillt the vacant Equipment Operator position int the Roads Motion! by Mr. Gottwals, second by Ms. Robinson, to approve hiring Mr. Darrien Lester for the vacant equipment operator position int the Roads and Bridges Department at Grade 10-B step based on! his experience, effective. January2 21,2025. Upon voting, Mr. Gottwals, Ms. Robinson, Mr. Gottwals presented: a request tor reclassify one Secretary position (009) from Grade 8t toa needs and requirements oft the Detention Center. carried. the Fire Fund was availablet tos support these changes. yes. Motion carried. for County residents. who makei themselves more valuable to Houston County. and Bridges Department. and Mr. Byrd votedy yes. Motion carried. Secretary II position (1007) Grade 11i int the District Attorney'sOffice. Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 471 471 Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 470 Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Mr. Byrd, to approve reclassification of a position in the District Attorney's Office from Secretary at a Grade 8 to Secretary llata a Grade 11, effective February 3, 2025. Also, for accounting to make any necessary budget adjustments. Upon voting, Mr. Gottwals, Mr. Byrd, and Ms. Robinson votedy yes. Motion carried. Chairman Perdue thanked DA Edwards for finding a way to make this reclassification in a budget-neutral manner. Mr. Gottwals presented a request for a 3% salary adjustment. Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Ms. Robinson, to approve a 3% salary adjustment for all merits system employees, full-time employees ofa all constitutional officers who are eligible for merita adjustments, full- time county elected and appointed officials, and salary adjustments on those eligible full- time employees receiving county supplements. Also, for accounting tor make Director of Administration Robbie Dunbar commented that Mr. Gottwals' motion neededi to be amended to reflect the effective date of this salary adjustment request, which would be Chairman Perdue asked Mr. Gottwals to amend his motion to reflect an effective date of Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Ms. Robinson, to approve a 3% salary adjustment for all merit system employees, full- time employees ofa all constitutional officers who are eligible for merita adjustments, full-time countye elected and appointed officials, and salarya adjustments on those eligible full-time employees receiving county supplements to be effective February 3, 2025. Also, for accounting to make any necessary adjustments. Upon voting, Mr. Gottwals, Mr. Byrd expressed his appreciation to all the County employees for the work they do each Chairman Perdue echoed Mr. Byrd's comments and advised that the sound financial condition of Houston County made this salary adjustment for County employees possible. Mr. Byrd presented a request for approval of Intergovernmental. Agreements with the City of Centerville, The City of Perry, The City of Warner Robins, and the Houston County Board of Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Mr. Gottwals, to approve signing Intergovernmental Agreements with Houston County Board of Elections, The City of Warner Robins, The City of Perry, and The City of Centerville fori the conduct of city elections for the 2025 election year. Mr. Byrd commented that these agreements are a prime example of cooperation among the Chairman Perdue advisedi that this move provides clarity to citizens by! having the same voting Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Ms. Robinson, to approve the payment of the bills totaling $2,627,787.36. Upon voting, Mr. Byrd, Ms. Robinson, and Mr. Gottwals voted yes. Motion any necessary: adjustments. February 3rd, 2025. February 3rd,2 2025, for this salary adjustment tot take place. Ms. Robinson, and Mr. Byrd votedy yes. Motion carried. day. Elections, fort the conduct of citye elections. local governments in Houston County. locations utilized for both city ando county elections. carried. Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 472 472 Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 471 The Chairman closed the regular portion of the meeting and opened the floor for Public As there were no Public Comments, the Chairman opened the floor Commissioner's Mr. Byrd expressed his appreciation for the work of all Houston County employees and recognized all the Houston County firefighters present in the meeting for what they do each day. He also thanked them for the work and help they will provide in the coming days with the incoming winter storm. He concluded his comments by requesting that everyone keep Chairman! Perdue commented ont thet fact that yesterday was dayi in which Martin! Luther King, Jr. was recognized. He askede everyone tol keept thei fire fighters and all public safety officials in their prayers for the next 48 hours with the incoming winter storm. He next spoke about the 4P's of winter weather, to check on people, your pets, your pipes and your plants during Ms. Robinson thanked everyone for attending, the firefighters for being present, and Chief Stonerf for the excellent work hei is doing. She then commented ont the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday and the presidential inauguration that both occurred yesterday and said it was an Mr. Gottwals commented about the inspiring presidential inauguration that took place yesterday andt that the patriotism that was on displayi in Washington, D.C., yesterday was the Motion! by Mr. Gottwals, second by Mr. Byrd, to approve adjourning the meeting. Uponvoting, Comments. Comments. Commissioner Taltoni int their thoughts and prayers due tol his accident. extremely cold weather. honor to serve the residents of Houston County. same level of patriotism felt and expressed each day in Houston County. Mr. Gottwals, Mr. Byrd, and Ms. Robinson votedy yes. Motion carried. Robbie Dunbar Director ofA Administration Chairman Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Talton was noti in Attendance sO does not sign Commissioner