APPLING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING MIINUTES March 4th, 2025 @ 5:30 P.M. CALL TO ORDFRANTICOMEINVOCATIONPLEDGE The Appling County Board of Commissioners held the regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 4t, 2025 at 5:30 PM in the Courthouse Annex. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Leslie Burch and he welcomed all those in attendance. Commissioner Randy Sellers gave the invocation and Coroner Henry Jones led the group in the pledge. Present were Chairman Leslie Burch; Vice Chairman Chad Kent; Commissioners Randy Sellers, Jakharis Jones, Daryl Edwards and Ricky Barnes. Also, present were County Manager Reid Lovett, County Attorney Tracy Brown and County Clerk Robyn Evans. APPROVAL OF AGENDA No changes were made to the agenda; Commissioner Kent made a motion to approve the agenda; Commissioner Barnes seconded; unanimously approved. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes from February 4th, 2025 regular meeting were reviewed. Commissioner Barnes made a motion to approve the minutes; Commissioner Kent seconded; unanimously approved. NEW BUSINESSIACTION ITEMS A. Development Authority Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Application Development Authority Director, Matt Carter spoke in regards to the RLF process. He explained the funds are received from the State of Georgia to help business owners in the County, with existing ventures or in developing new business growth, for acquisition of real estate/expansion funding. The money is then loaned to the approved applicant and payment schedule set-up for repayment; otherwise, funds are: required to be returned to the State of Georgia. Commissioner Edwards made a motion to approve the request; Commissioner Barnes seconded; unanimously approved. B. Updated Job Descriptions = Administration & Tax Assessor Commissioners' board packets included newly revised and compliant job descriptions for the following departmentsyfpositions: Administration- - Human Resources Specialist, Senior Accounting Technician, and County Clerk. With one minor change noted on the County Clerk job description, changing the wording to "ability"to supervise . ", Commissioner Edwards made a motion to approve the Administration, job descriptions as presented; Commissioner Barnes seconded; unanimously approved. Tax Assessor- - Administrative Assistant, Real Property Appraiser, Personal Property Appraiser, Chief Appraiser (Assessor). Commissioner Barnes made ai motion to approve the Tax Assessor job descriptions as presented; Commissioner Jones seconded; unanimously approved. C. Extension of Local State of Emergency Declaration County Manager Lovett shared the Local Declaration needed to be extended to coincide with FEMA Standards of debris operation completion to 180 days after the weather incident; thus, making this deadline March 24, 2025. Commissioner Sellers made a motion to approve the change; Commissioner Kent seconded; unanimously approved. D. Board Appointment - Hospital Authority Board & Tax Assessor Board The Board received notification that previously appointed Authority Board member, Angelisa Hodges resigned (effective immediately 2/2025) and would need to be replaced. The Board nominated the following to be reviewed and voted upon by the Hospital Authority Board. Commissioner Sellers nominated Judy Aycock; Commissioner Kent nominated Jimmy Twiggs; Commissioner Edwards nominated Perry White. Commissioner Edwards made a motion to approve the nominations; Commissioner Barnes seconded; unanimously approved. For the Tax Assessor Board, Mrs. Verlene Moody wished to serve again. Commissioner Kent made a motion to approve the reappointment ofMrs. Moody; Commissioner Edwards seconded; unanimously approved. E. Request for Proposals - Debris Removal & Disposal County Manager Lovett shared that bids were received from Hunter Construction, Metrolina and Horner Construction. He stated that multiple bids would be awarded as they were all FEMA reimbursable and would utilize the FEMA equipment rates and contracted by the hour and/or cubic yardage as directed by County Manager Lovett and Road Department Supervisor Carroll Weaver. He then asked that the Board allow himself and County Attorney Brown to create and sign contract agreements for this work. Commissioner Sellers made the motion to approve this request; Commissioner Jones seconded; unanimously approved. F. Purchase of] Debris Trailer & Skid Steer Loader County Manager Lovett shared that quotes were received from the following for the Debris Trailer: Circle Double B in the amount of$17,000 but would not be available until six (6) weeks which is outside OfFEMA reimbursable time frame; Down To Earth in the amount of $23,700; and Big Tex in the amount of $24,271.50. Commissioner Edwards made a motion to approve the quote from Down Tol Earth for $23,700; Commissioner Kent seconded; unanimously approved. County Manager Lovett shared the quotes received for the Skid Steer were as follows: Appling Motors in the amount of $94,150; Yancey CAT for $111,720 (did not meet tipping weight requirement); Ag Pro for $85,000 (smaller and did not include tipping weight requirement). Commissioner Barnes made a motion to approve Appling Motors in the amount of $94,150 which is larger equipment; Commissioner Sellers seconded; unanimously approved. G. First Responder Class County Manager Lovett shared that an Initial Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) class is being scheduled. A grant will cover $3750 for text books (for 25 people) and $1650 (for Instructor); remaining costs to be covered by departmental budgets is $3862.50 (Fire Dept.) and $3862.50 (EMA/Rescue). Requests the remaining costs be approved as stated. Commissioner Kent made a motion to approve these expenses; seconded by Commissioner Jones; unanimously approved. H. Recreation Department Repair Quotes Quotes for repairs from Hurricane Helene damage for the two (2) carport-style covers at the walking track and replacement and installation of a 20 X 20 storage building were as follows: J&S $13,706; Bennett Building $9,110.26; and Titan Metal $12,317. Commissioner Sellers made a motion to approve the lowest quote from Bennett Building; Commissioner Kent seconded; unanimously approved. I. Ag Center Ice Machine Quotes County Manager Lovett shared that ice machine at Ag Center was broken and not repairable; quotes to replace are $5,638.73 from Baker and WinSupply $5990.19. Commissioner Jones made a motion to approve the lowest quote from Baker; Commissioner Barnes seconded; unanimously approved. J. Hazard Mitigation Contract County Manager Lovett shared that Heart of Georgia Altamaha Regional Commission has proposed a contract to update the pre-disaster Hazard Mitigation Plan. Commissioner Edwards made a motion to approve; Commissioner Kent seconded; unanimously approved. K. GPS Dynamics County Manager Lovett shared with the Board that our GPS Dynamics software has not been updated since 2020. This is utilized by 911 Center and can be used by the Road Department. The renewal cost is $27,000 and includes an annual support application with data updates. Commissioner Jones made a motion to approve; Commissioner Barnes seconded; unanimously approved. L. Assistant Supervisor of Elections County Manager Lovett shared that the Board of Elections voted to hire Sandy Dominy as the Assistant Supervisor for Elections. Commissioner Sellers made a motion to approve this hire; Commissioner Edwards seconded; unanimously approved. M. Update Purchasing Ordinance County Manager Lovett stated that the purchasing ordinance has not been updated in many years and is not relevant with today's costs. The update would be to delete section 2-227 and replace with the new one provided in Commissioners' packets allowing department heads to approve up to $3500 for items in their approved general budgets and to allow the County Administrator to approve operational purchases within the approved general budget. The County Administrator would also have the authority to purchase new non-replacement equipment up to $15,000 with required bids and quotes; with the Board approving bids/quotes and non-budgeted items over $15,000. Commissioner Sellers made a motion to approve the change; Commissioner Barnes seconded; unanimously approved. DEPARTMENT UPDATES Shannah Martin, Interim CEO with Appling HealthCare gave updates stating admissions had increased 65% from last month with 714 patients seen in the ER and only 5% were transferred out. Elizabeth Rodriguez, Marketing Director shared the GA Heart Program and how residents could redirect State Taxes to the local hospital, which could have the potential for the hospital to earn up to $4 million dollars. Ms. Rodriguez asked that the information be shared with County employees. County Manager Lovett shared that the Landfill was closed from February 24-28, 2025 for maintenance because there was no room for the extra 867 tons of debris created from Hurricane Helene. Landfill personnel had to haul in dirt to open another cell. He also thanked the Road Department for assistance in hauling dirt and continuation ofthe debris removal on county roads. EXECUTIVE SESSION - PERSONNEL Commissioner Sellers made a motion to close regular session and enter into executive session; seconded by Commissioner Kent; unanimously approved. Commissioner Edwards made a motion to close executive session and re-enter regular session; seconded by Commissioner Kent; unanimously approved. County Attorney Brown stated no actions were taken and he is still awaiting update on the attorney fees from previous legal proceedings. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT Nothing else at this time. CHAIRMAN'S COMMENTS Chairman Burch reminded everyone present about the First Responder Expo on March 19, 2025 at the Ag Center. He stated that 911 Director Henry Alderman reported 23 fire calls from the previous weekend. He shared there would be a FEMA Housing Expo scheduled. County Manager Lovett shared that he'djust received word of an immediate need to close a portion of Ben Carter Road due to road damage being assessed. ADJOURN There being no further business or discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 PM. Robyn O. Evans, County Clerk Leslie Burch, Chairman / S Siok Bud APPLING COLNTY GEORGIA APPLING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS CALLED MEETING MINUTES March 18", 2025 @ 5:30 P.M. CALL TO ORDER/WELCOME/INVOCATION/PLEDGE The Appling County Board of Commissioners held a call meeting on Tuesday, March 18", 2025 at 5:30 PM in the Courthouse Annex. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Leslie Burch and he welcomed all those in attendance. Commissioner Daryl Edwards gave the invocation and County Manager Reid Lovett led the group in the pledge. Present were Chairman Leslie Burch; Vice Chairman Chad Kent; Commissioners Randy Sellers, Jakharis Jones, Daryl Edwards and Ricky Barnes. Also, present were County Manager Reid Lovett, County Attorney Tracy Brown and Finance Clerk LaFonda Solomon. APPROVALOF AGENDA No changes were made to the agenda; Commissioner Sellers made a motion to approve the agenda; Commissioner Edwards seconded; unanimously approved. NEW BUSINESS/ACTION ITEMS A. Heart of Georgia Community Development Block Grant 2025 County Manager Reid Lovett shared that all the paperwork is complete and ready for submittal for the 2025 Community Development Block Grant. This is for the same funding that was not received in 2024. The grant is for the area ofEmmanual Williams and Coot Jones Road. He recommended that the commissioners adopt the resolution and give the Chairman the authority to sign the resolution. Commissioner Edwards made a motion to adopt the resolution and give the Chairman the authority to sign; seconded by Commissioner Kent; unanimously approved. B. FEMAI Lease Agreement County Manager Reid Lovett shared that FEMA has approached the county and requested to use the Ag center for a one-day outreach program to assist the citizens with housing needs. He stated that he offered and showed FEMA the building on Oak Street to use for this one-day program. He requested that the Board approve the lease agreement for the one-day event. Commissioner Sellers made a motion to approve the lease agreement; seconded by Commissioner Barnes; unanimously approved. C. Dump Truck Purchase County Manager Lovett shared that Road Superintendent Carol Weaver has obtained three quotes for a new dump truck. This dump truck will be used to assist with the debris cleanup. The cost can be submitted to FEMA for reimbursement. The lowest quote received is from Freightliner of Savannah for $178,400.00. After discussion, Commissioner Barnes made a motion to approve the lowest quote; seconded by Commissioner Jones; unanimously approved. D. Ambulance Request County Manager Lovett shared that he met with the ambulance service two weeks ago. The Board of Commissioners approved the purchase of a new ambulance last year. During this time the ambulance service has researched and found a vendor that can deliver the new ambulance quicker and cheaper than the previously approved vendor. County Manager Lovett recommended that the Board approve the change in vendors SO that the ambulance could be delivered quicker. Commissioner Jones made a motion to change vendors; seconded by Commissioner Sellers; unanimously approved. EXECUTIVE SESSION - PERSONNEL Commissioner Edwards made a motion to close regular session and enter into executive session; seconded by Commissioner Jones; unanimously approved. Commissioner Kent made a motion to close executive session and re-enter regular session; seconded by Commissioner Sellers; unanimously approved. County Manager Lovett shared that at the last meeting the Board approved to fill the position of assistant elections supervisor. He recommended to approve the starting salary range between $16- $19/hour to be set by the Board of Elections. Commissioner Barnes made a motion to approve the starting salary range; seconded by Commissioner Jones; unanimously approved. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT County Manager Lovett shared that the EPD has approved the scrap tire grant for 2025. The dates for the tire collection are set for Saturday, April 5 and the following week, April 8-11, 2025. The optional date is May 3rd ifthe event is not held on the set dates. The county can be reimbursed up to $31,000.00. CHAIRMAN'S COMMENTS Chairman Burch shared that the Law Expo will be March 19, 2025 from 8:30-2:30 at the Ag Center. The friends of Buddy Carter are holding a meet and greet on March 20, 2025 and invited the commissioners to attend. ADJOURN There being no further business or discussion, the meeting was adjourned. LaFonda Solomon, Finance Clerk Leslie Burch, Chairman Raln Bisles Bues, APPLING COUNTY GEORGIA