499 Houston County Commissioners Meeting April 8, 2025 Perry, Georgia The Houston County Board of Commissioners met in regular session at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at the Houston County Courthouse in Perry, Georgia. Chairman Perdue presided, and Commissioners Byrd, Gottwals, and Talton were present. Director of Operations Brian Jones was also present. Commissioner Talton gave the invocation and then led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance. Col. Daniel Hatcher, Commander of the 78th Medical Group, spoke about his military career. He spoke of joining the military to help with medical school, serving in Europe, and different parts of the United States. He stated that he, his wife, and five children came to Houston County in 2024 and that they are enjoying the area. Chairman Perdue and the Commissioners thanked Col. Hatcher for his service, sacrifice, and the impact he and his staff provide to the Robins Air Force Base community. United Way staff members Amber L. Morris and Brandi Rozier received a ceremonial check from the Houston County Commissioners for the amount of $51,545. This total, raised during the County's 2024 United Way Campaign, represents the largest sum the County has ever raised. Ms. Morris spoke about the importance and benefits of supporting the United Way and how the resources raised impact the lives of those in Houston County and Middle Georgia. Chairman Perdue echoed those sentiments and recognized Jake Cox, the County's Community Planner, and United Way campaign coordinator, for his work spearheading such a successful campaign. Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Byrd, to approve the minutes from the March 18, 2025, meeting. Upon voting, Mr. Talton, Mr. Byrd, and Mr. Gottwals voted yes. Motion carried. Chief Building Inspector Tim Andrews presented Special Exception Applications 2840, 2841, and 2843. Chairman Perdue opened the floor for Public Hearing. Applicant #2840 was present, there was no opposition. Applicant #2841 was present, there was no opposition. Applicant #2843 was present, there was no opposition. Chairman Perdue closed the Public Hearing and reopened the regular portion of the meeting. He then discussed restrictive covenants and how they could still be enforced despite the Board's approval of a special exception. Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Mr. Gottwals to approve the following Special Exception Applications to include any and all stipulations as noted on the Zoning & Appeals recommendation and Section 95 Requirements staff report: #2841 Larry &. Jacquelyn Kijawski Polish Pottery Business #2843 Christie Griffin Cleaning Business Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 500 500 Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 499 and to disapprove the following Special Exception Application: #2840 Pedro Calel Residential & Commercial Painting Upon voting, Mr. Byrd, Mr. Gottwals, and Mr. Talton voted yes. Motion carried. Mr. Andrews informed the approved applicants that the next step to obtaining their business license was to apply at the Commissioner's Office. Mr. Byrd presented a request from the City of Perry for two annexations. Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Mr. Talton, to concur with the annexation of 19.70 acres on Airport Road known as a portion of Tax Parcel 000310 033000, with a zoning change from County R-AG to City of Perry R-TH and 4.88 acres on Airport Road known as Tax Parcels: 000310 032000; 000310 036000; and a portion of 000310 033000 with a zoning change from County R-AG to City of Perry C-2. Upon voting, Mr. Byrd, Mr. Talton, and Mr. Gottwals voted yes. Motion carried. Mr. Byrd presented a request to accept the 2025 VAWA Grant. Motion by Mr. Bryd, second by Mr. Gottwals to approve accepting the 2025 VAWA Grant W24- 8-012 for the District Attorney's Office in the amount of $64,842, from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council of Georgia, with matching funds from the County in the amount of $21,614, for a total of $86,456.00. Upon voting, Mr. Byrd, Mr. Gottwals, and Mr. Talton voted yes. Motion carried. Chairman Perdue thanked the District Attorney's Office for applying for the grant and pursuing those who commit these crimes. Mr. Byrd presented a request for approval of a service agreement to assist the County with the valuation, audit, and appeal support of the aircraft personal property tax process. Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Mr., Talton to approve signing an agreement with Aviation Capital Partners, LLC dba Specialized Tax Recovery of Mayfield Heights, Ohio, in the amount of in the amount of $5,000. With an option to extend the contract for FY 2027 & FY 2028, and newly discovered aircraft, to be charged at the rate established in section 2 of the agreement. Upon voting, Mr. Bryd, Mr. Talton, and Mr. Gottwals voted yes. Motion carried. Chairman Perdue stated that this action was necessary to ensure that all taxable airplanes in Houston County were properly identified and assessed appropriately. He also thanked the Tax Assessor's Office for presenting this request. Mr. Bryd presented a request for approval of a quote to update the current camera system at the Annex. Motion by Mr. Bryd, second by Mr. Gottwals to approve the quote from BTV Systems, of Macon, Georgia, to update the camera system at the Annex in the amount of $69,109.71. This project will be funded by 2018 SPLOST. Upon voting, Mr. Byrd, Mr. Gottwals, and Mr. Talton voted yes. Motion carried. Mr. Gottwals presented a request for approval of a quote for a new stormwater pipe camera system to be used by Public Works. Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 501 501 Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 500 Motion by Mr. Gottwals, seconded by Mr. Byrd, to approve the quote from Environmental Products Group of Atlanta, Georgia, in the amount of $113,700 for the purchase of a new pipe camera system to replace the current non-functional one. This purchase will be funded by the 2018 SPLOST. Upon voting, Mr. Gottwals, Mr. Byrd, and Mr. Talton voted yes. Motion carried. Mr. Byrd remarked that this is an excellent tool for identifying problems without extensive digging to find the issue area. Chairman Perdue explained that the equipment was being used by Public Works at least once a week and that the current camera system was over 20 years old. Mr. Gottwals presented a request for approval of a bid on one new 4WD Ford F-150 for use in the Fire Department. Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Mr. Talton to approve the bid on one new 4WD Ford F-150 truck for a new position in the Fire Department from Phil Brannen Ford of Perry, Georgia, in the amount of $51,570. This purchase will be funded by 2018 SPLOST. Upon voting, Mr. Gottwals, Mr. Talton, and Mr. Byrd voted yes. Motion carried. Mr. Gottwals presented a request to fill the vacant Tax Appraiser II position in the Tax Assessor's Office. Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Mr. Byrd, to approve hiring Tommylee Crosby to fill the vacant Tax Appraiser II position int the Tax Assessor's Office at a Grade 14 Step D, effective April 9, 2025. Upon voting, Mr. Gottwals, Mr. Byrd, and Mr. Talton voted yes. Motion carried. Chairman Perdue explained that the Board only gets involved in personnel decisions when the applicant is hired at any step above an A step based on experience or education. Mr. Gottwals presented a request to fill the vacant Personnel Clerk position in the Personnel Department. Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Mr. Talton, to approve hiring Amy Handley to fill the vacant Personnel Clerk position in the Personnel Office at a Grade 12 Step C, effective April 9, 2025. Upon voting, Mr. Gottwals, Mr. Talton, and Mr. Byrd voted yes. Motion carried. Chairman Perdue stated that Miss Loren Smith, previously in this position, had moved to an available position with the Magistrate Court. He then welcomed Ms. Handley to the County. Mr. Gottwals presented a request tof fill the vacant Equipment Operator position at the Landfill. Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Mr. Byrd, to approve the hiring of Christopher Collins to fill the vacant Equipment Operator position at the Landfill at a Grade 10 Step C effective April 9, 2025. Upon voting, Mr. Gottwals, Mr. Byrd, and Mr. Talton voted yes. Motion carried. Mr. Talton presented a request for approval to renew the financial agreement for the County's contribution to the compensation of County Extension Personnel. Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Byrd to approve signing the renewal agreement with the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia on behalf of the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service for the County's FY2026 contribution to the compensation of County Extension Personnel. Upon voting, Mr. Talton, Mr. Byrd, and Mr. Gottwals voted yes. Motion carried. Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 502 502 Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 501 Chairman Perdue explained that these were salary supplements that the County Extension Agents received from the County in addition toi their state salaries. He further commented on the work that the Extension Agents do that is not only agriculturally related but also for the well-being of County residents in many other capacities. Mr. Talton presented a request for approval of a quitclaim deed to correct an erroneous deed filed with the wrong legal description. The original deed contained the legal description of the Lydick Avenue property and not the property located at 414, 416, and 418 North Fifth Street. A corrective deed was recorded, but to properly correct the problem, the County and the City needed to quitclaim their interest in the wrong property. Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Gottwals, to approve the signing of a quit-claim deed to correct the Title to 405 Lydick Ave. Upon voting, Mr. Talton, Mr. Gottwals, and Mr. Byrd voted yes. Motion carried. Chairman Perdue thanked County Attorney Tom Hall for bringing this issue to the Board's attention to be corrected. Mr. Talton presented a request to declare items as surplus. Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Byrd to approve declaring the following items as surplus to be sold or disposed of: a COATS 4046A Tire Changer to be placed on GovDeals for auction. This unit, over 25 years old, has been replaced with a new model. a 40-year-old Twin-Cylinder Air Compressor (80-gallon tank), that has been replaced with a newr model. a. 2001-2003 Ford 4.6 Upper Intake Manifold, which has outlived its use. a 5 lug F-150 rim with a newer Goodyear LT245/75R16 Duratrac tire, that the County no longer has a truck for, to be put on GovDeals. 301 feet of 'Employee" Lockers from the Automotive Shop to free up space for supplies. 50-55 Dell and Hewlett Packard desktops without hard drives and monitors, that have been replaced, to be put on GovDeals. 121 Hewlett Packard printers, to be put on GovDeals. and 15 rebuilt starters and 6 rebuilt alternators as surplus to trade for core value at a local salvage yard. The items are for vehicles the County no longer owns. Upon voting, Mr. Talton, Mr. Bryd, and Mr. Gottwals voted yes. Motion carried. Mr. Talton presented a request from Sheriff Moulton to donate one 2020 Ford Police Interceptor Utility Patrol Vehicle to the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office. Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Gottwals to approve the donation of a 2020 Ford Police Interceptor Utility Patrol Vehicle VIN 1FM5K8AC9LGC01779 from the Houston County Sheriff's Office to the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office. Upon voting, Mr. Talton, Mr. Gottwals, and Mr. Byrd voted yes. Motion carried. Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 503 503 Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 502 Chairman Perdue asked Sheriff Moulton if he would like to make any remarks. Sheriff Moulton spoke about the reason for donating this vehicle to the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office. He also spoke about the great working relationship both Sheriff's Departments have. Chairman Perdue spoke about the benefits of supporting a neighboring Sheriff's Department and the help that the Pulaski Sheriff's Department has provided to Houston County. Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Byrd to approve the payment of the bills totaling $4,339,021.49. Upon voting, Mr. Talton, Mr. Byrd, and Mr. Gottwals voted yes. Motion carried. Chairman Perdue closed the regular portion of the meeting and opened the floor for Public Comments. Rev. Dr. Rutha Jackson, Ms. Jackie Rozier, Jonathan Johnson, and Bishop Milton Wynn spoke about their views ont the at-large representation utilized in the County and advocated changing it to district representation. As there were no further Public Comments, the Chairman opened the floor to Commissioner's Comments. Mr. Byrd expressed gratitude to everyone for their attendance. He acknowledged those who offered public comments. He recognized the County's first responders, Public' Works staff, and even private citizens for their efforts in clearing the roads and cleaning up after Monday's stormsi in Houston County. He congratulated Director of Administration Robbie Dunbar on the birth of his second grandchild and acknowledged Ryan English for his appointment by Governor Kemp as Solicitor of Houston County. Mr. Talton thanked everyone for attending the meeting. He thanked Sheriff Moulton for donating the vehicle to a neighboring Sheriff's Department. He recognized the vacancies being" filled in various County departments by new employees. He concluded his comments by saying that he was happy to serve all the residents of Houston County. Mr. Gottwals commented on all the work that took place in the meeting. He reminded everyone about the Dogwood Festival in Perry this weekend. He closed by saying that he, like Col. Hatcher, also has five kids and that his youngest daughter, Hannah Gottwals, wanted to pass along to everyone during his public comments that a unicorn is her favorite animal. Chairman Perdue wished Commissioner Robinson a belated happy birthday and hoped she would enjoy her extended vacation. He also acknowledged the upcoming birthdays this week for Commissioner Talton and Commissioner Gottwals. Hei then discussed the garbage and yard debris pickup issues that have occurred recently in the County with the current contractor. He mentioned that corrective action was being taken by the new contractor, along with County Public' Works staff and equipment as needed. He encouraged those experiencing pickup issues to continue reaching out to the Commissioner's Office and Public Works. He concluded by noting that April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and expressed gratitude to Sheriff Moulton, the Sheriff's Department Juvenile Division Deputies, and the District Attorney's Office for their efforts in apprehending those who would harm children. Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 504 504 Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 503 Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Gottwals to approve adjourning the meeting. Upon voting, Mr. Talton, Mr. Gottwals, and Mr. Byrd voted yes. Motion Carried. Robbie Dunbar Chairman Director of Administration Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner