520 Houston County Commissioners Meeting June 3, 2025 Perry, Georgia The Houston County Board of Commissioners met in regular session at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at the Houston County Courthouse in Perry, Georgia. Chairman Perdue presided, and Commissioners Byrd, Gottwals, Robinson, and Talton were present. County Attorney Tom Hall, Director of Operations Brian Jones, and Director of Administration Robbie Dunbar were also present. Commissioner Robinson gave the invocation. Commissioner Talton led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance. SSgt. Ashli Miles spoke about her military career, stating that she has been with the Air Force for seven years. She explained that Robins Air Force Base is her first duty station and that she began her career here as an intelligence analyst. However, she currently serves as the Executive Assistant to the Squadron Commander of the 472nd Electronic Combat Squadron. She concluded her comments by saying that she plans to leave active-duty service and serve int the Air Force Reserves. Airman 1st Class Andrew Perez accompanied SSgt. Miles to the commissioners meeting. Airman Perez spoke about joining the Air Force in 2023, noting that Robins Air Force Base is his first duty station. He is an Aviation Resource Manager and said that he is glad to have at least three more years stationed at Robins because he enjoys living in Georgia and Houston County. The Commissioners expressed their appreciation to SSgt. Miles and Airman Perez for attending and speaking about their military careers. They stated that the local expression of EDIMGIAFAD is meant in Houston County. Both military speakers were thanked for their work and for taking on more than was assigned to them and reinvesting their time and knowledge into others. Chairman Perdue recognized Houston County Library Director J. Sara Paulk. Ms. Paulk distributed information to the Board about summer activities at all three library branches in Houston County and spoke about the summer reading programs available. Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Gottwals, and carried unanimously by all to approve the minutes from the May 20, 2025, meeting. Building Inspection & Planning/Zoning Assistant Rebecca Kidd presented Special Exception Applications #2845, #2847, and #2849 through #2853. County Attorney Tom Hall made a blanket statement for the benefit of all applicants for Special Exceptions for home occupations: even ift the Board of Commissioners approves an application, neighborhood covenants may still impose certain restrictions upon or against home businesses. These restrictive covenants are not superseded by any action the Board of Commissioners takes. The actions taken by the Board will not change any provision within the covenant that prohibits any commercial or business activity. Chairman Perdue closed the regular portion of the meeting and opened a Public Hearing. Applicant #2845 was not present; there was no opposition. Applicant #2847 was present; there was no opposition. Applicant #2849 was not present; there was no opposition. Applicant #2850 was present; there was no opposition. Applicant #2851 was present; there was no opposition. Applicant #2852 was present; there was no opposition. Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 521 521 Houston County commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 520 Applicant #2853 was present. Mr. Victor Wade spoke in opposition to the application. Chairman Perdue asked Mr. Wade if his neighborhood had covenants that prevented home- based businesses, to which Mr. Wade replied yes. Mrs. Striggles spoke in favor of the application. Mr. Ainsley Gordon spoke in opposition to the application. Mr. Byrd asked Mr. Gordon if any code violations were happening at Mr. Striggles' house, to which Mr. Gordon stated no. Chairman Perdue concluded the public comments by advising that it is not the Commissioners' job to enforce neighborhood covenants, as that is a civil matter. He explained that the special exception process helps applicants learn to adapt to the requirements, increasing the likelihood of a favorable result. He further stated that the previous issue of having employees coming to his house seems to have been resolved. With no further comments, Chairman Perdue closed the Public Hearing and reopened the regular portion of the meeting. Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Talton, and carried unanimously by all 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: #2845 Victor Primas Home Care and Assistance #2847 Lindsey Hayes Nurse Staffing Agency #2849 David Furtney Residential & Commercial Painting #2850 Nicholas & Megan Andrus Personal Training Business #2851 Jacob & Daniela McCullough Non-Emergency, Ambulance #2852 John & Miliscent Turner Photography Business #2853 Alvin Striggles Framing Contractor Ms. Kidd informed the approved applicants that the next step to obtain their business license was to apply at the Commissioner's Office. Chairman Perdue gave an overview of the proposed FY26 budget. He spoke on revenues, expenditures, and the general fund reserve. He concluded by saying that the Board will formally adopt the FY26 budget Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. during the Commissioner's meeting. Chairman Perdue opened a Public Hearing. As there were no comments, the Public Hearing was closed and the regular portion of the meeting continued. Chairman Perdue thanked County staff, the Accounting Department, Director of Administration Robbie Dunbar and the department heads for their work in developing the FY26 budget. Mr. Byrd expressed his appreciation to County staff for their work on the budget, and he also recognized Chairman Perdue for his hard work on the budget. Ms. Robinson presented a request for approval of a professional services agreement for Dunbar Road Drainage Improvements. Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 522 522 Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 521 Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by all to approve entering a professional services agreement with Saunders Engineering Consultants, Inc., of Centerville, Georgia, for the study and evaluation of the drainage along a portion of Dunbar Road. This study, for $ 16,000, will be funded by Public Works Professional Services. Chairman Perdue explained that there is a long history of drainage issues in this area of Dunbar Road. He thanked Brian. Jones and his staff for their work on moving this project forward. Mr. Byrd presented a request to approve an addendum to the Water Department's current agreement with Dixie Lawn & Landscaping Inc. Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Mr. Gottwals, and carried unanimously by all to approve the addendum to the Water Department's Dixie Lawn & Landscaping Inc. agreement, increasing the scope of services at the Henderson Water Treatment Plant for an additional $180 per visit. Chairman Perdue stated that this addition tot the existing contract was needed to maintain the additional property purchased to access the plant. Mr. Byrd presented a request to approve the FY26 Work Detail Agreement with the Georgia Department of Corrections. Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Mr. Talton, and carried unanimously by all to approve signing a Work Detail Agreement with the Georgia Department of Corrections for 5 work details at a cost not to exceed $271,249. This agreement will be funded as follows: 2 crews from Solid Waste Collections; 2 crewsi fromi the Water Department; and 1 crew from Solid Waste Disposal. Mr. Byrd stated that the combination of Department of Corrections details and contractor work crews has improved the appearance of the County's right-of-way. Chairman Perdue thanked Brian Jones and Public' Works staff for their work in helping to make this agreement happen. Mr. Gottwals presented a request for approval of four court reporter contracts for the Superior Court. Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by all to approve the signing of the Superior Court FY26 court reporter employment contracts, each in the amount of $69,500 for Courtney Bridges, Joy Malone, Connie Montgomery, and Wendy Nelson. Mr. Byrd presented a request to renew the Independent Contractor Agreements with four attorneys who provide legal representation in cases where the Houston County Public Defender's Office has a conflict of interest. Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by all to approve the signing of the FY26 Independent Contract Agreements, each in the amount of $90,000, for Jeffrey L. Grube, Sasha Riedel Knight, Matthew Pollard, and Jonathan Perry Waters. Mr. Talton presented a request for the finalizing of the inventory remaining in the warehouse. Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Gottwals and carried unanimously by all to approve the write-off of $9,842.73; $7,039.71 in surplus items, $1,011.77 in expired supplies, and a $1,791.25 variance between inventory and the General Ledger. Also, to declare the following items surplus as they were back-ups to equipment that the County no longer owns: Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 523 523 Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 522 30HP 3 Phase Motor (2013) 50HP 3 Phase Motor (2004) Three 25HP Water Pumps (rebuilt in 2009 & 2011) Eight 5' Cubicle Walls Chairman Perdue expressed his gratitude to Purchasing Director Vanessa Zimmerman for her efforts in finalizing the warehouse operations. He noted that an engineering firm is currently reviewing the existing warehouse building, and their recommendation regarding the best use ofthe building for records storage should be submitted to the County by. July 31st. He wrapped up by thanking all departments for their timely assistance in removing items from the warehouse, mentioning that the County Audit would benefit from being cleaner without a supply warehouse. Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by all to approve the payment of the bills totaling $2,941,815.72. Chairman Perdue closed the regular portion of the meeting and opened the floor for Public Comments. Director of Operations Brian. Jones introduced Mr. Ben Ducree, the current intern in the Public Works Department. Mr. Ducree is attending Kennesaw State University and majoring in Environmental Science and will be helping at Public Works for the summer. Ms. Robyn Wood spoke about her views on Warner Robins and Houston County animal control issues. She inquired about the status of the new animal control facility to be built in Warner Robins. Chairman Perdue explained that the new Warner Robins animal control facility was a 2024 SPLOST-funded project and that the facility's design has been put out for bid. With no further comments, Chairman Perdue closed the Public Comment portion of the meeting and asked for Commissioner Comments. Mr. Gottwals thanked everyone for attending and commented that today was his and his wife Abbey's 19th wedding anniversary and expressed appreciation to her and their five children. Ms. Robinson thanked everyone for attending and commented that the future of Houston County is strong and bright. Mr. Talton thanked everyone for attending the meeting and for the hard work put in by County staff on the FY26 budget. He expressed his gratitude for the quality of services delivered in Houston County for the level of taxes charged. Finally, he welcomed Mr. Ducree to the Public Works department as the summer intern. Mr. Byrd commented on the number of cooperative agenda items. He spoke about the recent merger of Emory Healthcare and Houston Healthcare and recognized the work done by Dr. Ivan Allen, Tommy Stalnaker, and Charles Briscoe. He concluded his comments by recognizing Commissioner Gail Robinson for her appointment tot the Emory Hospital Warner Robins board. Chairman Perdue thanked Sara Paulk for attending and speaking about the summer activities at the Houston County Libraries. He recognized Fire Chief Chris Stoner for the two recently held town hall meetings. The meetings told the history oft the fire department, progress made over the last few years in terms of an improved ISO rating, additional staffing, equipment, and capability, and plans for the possibility of future improvements to the department with additional funding. He then recognized the retirement of Houston County Board of Education Superintendent Dr. Mark Scott and congratulated the incoming Superintendent, Dr. Richard Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 524 524 Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 523 Rogers. He repeated Mr. Byrd's recognition of the work and efforts made by Dr. Ivan Allen, Tommy Stalnaker, and Charles Briscoe on the merger of Houston Healthcare with Emory Healthcare. He noted this will be a huge benefit for residents in central and southern Georgia. He concluded his comments by recognizing and welcoming the new CEO of Emory Hospital Warner Robins and Perry, Mr. Kevin Splaine. Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Gottwals, and carried unanimously by all to approve adjourning the meeting. Meeting adjourned. Robbie Dunbar Chairman Director of Administration Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner