LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MINUTES WORK SESSION Monday, April 21, 2025 COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chairman Bill Slaughter Vice Chairperson Joyce Evans Commissioner Scott Orenstein Commissioner Mark Wisenbaker Commissioner Demarcus Marshall Commissioner Michael Smith Chairman Slaughter called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. MINUTES The minutes were presented for the work session of April 7, 2025 and the regular session of April 8, 2025. No revisions were requested. APPOINTMENT Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) County Manager, Paige Dukes, presented the appointment. Mrs. Dukes stated this is a regional board appointment and Ms. Kelley Saxon's term expired March 8, 2025. Ms. Saxon has reached the maximum amount of time a member can serve on this board. Additionally, Mr. Carlton Richard's term will expire May 28, 2025, and he has not expressed an interest in being reappointed. Mrs. Dukes stated Mrs. Juliana Powell and Commissioner Michael Smith have both expressed an interest in serving. FOR CONSIDERATION Acceptance of the VAWA Continuation Grant Award for 2025 Solicitor General's Office Representative, Karen Hayes, presented the grant. Ms. Hayes stated that on January 28th, the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners approved this application for Continuation Funding available through the VAWA Grant Program. This grant funds budgeted costs associated with specialized prosecutors to handle Family Violence and Violence Against Women crimes. The Solicitor's Office was recently notified that the grant application was approved with the same amounts as last year $79,112 in federal funds and $26,371 in matching funds by the county. This grant runs from January 1, 2025-December 31, 2025. Commissioner Marshall asked if this program would be removed by federal budget reductions. Ms. Hayes answered this should remain available at the current amount for the next two years. Commissioner Wisenbaker asked Ms. Hayes additional follow-up questions to verify whether this was a new position. Ms. Hayes responded that it is an existing VAWA position, which was filled in 2018. FY2026 Juvenile Justice Incentive Grant Application County Manager, Paige Dukes, presented the item. Mrs. Dukes stated since 2014, Lowndes County has received funding for this program, providing Functional Family Therapy, which is an evidence- based program to help keep juveniles out of the system long term. In the current application process, the recommendation is for $342,493.00, through the Juvenile Justice Incentive Grant Program to serve 54 youths and their families during fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). Mrs. Dukes stated this grant is 100% reimbursable. Commissioner Marshall asked, as previously discussed with the VAWA Continuation Grant, if this program were to be removed by federal budget reductions, would the county be held responsible for the funding. Mrs. Dukes stated she believes the contract would terminate as a part of the grant, if the funding was no longer available. Chairman Slaughter stated that since these are reimbursable grants, and with the ongoing contracts in place, they may hopefully be grandfathered in. Mrs. Dukes mentioned this may be a possible budget conversation to have regarding being able to sustain services without depending on state and federal revenue. Commissioner Smith asked if the 54 youths were the number served, and whether this amount was received based on population, or if we applied for that set amount. Mrs. Dukes responded 54 is based on the clinical provider delivering these services. Emergency Purchase - Naylor Tower Top Amp Replacement 911 Director, Tonya Davis, presented the item. Mrs. Davis stated on March 15, 2025, during a thunderstorm, the tower top amp at the Naylor Public Safety Radio System Tower Site was struck by lightning and damaged causing interruptions in communications. The total amount for equipment and installation is $36,776.00. Commissioner Wisenbaker asked if the tower was insured. Mrs. Davis answered yes, with liability insurance. Mrs. Davis stated this will be paid up front and a claim submitted to the Human Resources Department. Commissioner Wisenbaker asked how tall this tower is; Mrs. Davis responded 700 feet. Commissioner Smith asked if Echols County uses this tower as well, Mrs. Davis responded yes. BID 2025 Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) Resurfacing Bids (Project #: ENG 2025- 01) Director of Engineering Services, Chad McLeod, presented the item. Mr. McLeod stated the 2025 Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) application was approved by the Commission on January 14, 2025. The grant was approved by the Georgia Department of Transportation, Lowndes County received the grant funds and staff advertised the project for bids. Bids were opened April 15, 2025, and staff received two bids. Reames and Son Construction in the amount of $1,478,673.94 and the Scruggs Company in the amount of $1,645,355.87. Commissioner Wisenbaker asked what roads would be resurfaced, Mr. McLeod answered New Statenville Highway, Johnson Road SE, Hickory Grove Road N, Oakdale Drive, Johnson Hill Drive, Eastview Drive, Hill Top Drive, Hillway Drive, Johnson Lake Drive, M. D. Guess Road, Meadowdale Drive, Beaver Run Road, Quail Nest Drive and Twin Oaks Road. Commissioner Wisenbaker asked if striping was included in this project, Mr. McLeod answered the only striping included are the roads listed. Chairman Slaughter asked for clarification in the contract for resurfacing if that does include striping, Mr. McLeod responded this does include new striping after the resurfacing of these roads. Commissioner Smith asked if this was paid from SPLOST dollars which have already been collected. County Manager, Paige Dukes answered just the match. Mr. McLeod mentioned that approximately $1.3 million dollars comes from the state under the LMIG grant. Chairman Slaughter asked if this includes the additional LMIG money which the state has 2 granted for local governments. Mr. McLeod responded no sir, that is called an LRA grant and that will be submitted to the board in the near future. REPORTS - County Manager There was no additional information to report. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Smith made a motion to adjourn the work session meeting, second by' Vice Chairperson Evans. Chairman Slaughter adjourned the meeting at 8:44 a.m. 3 LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MINUTES REGULAR SESSION Tuesday, April 22, 2025 COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chairman Bill Slaughter Vice Chairperson Joyce Evans Commissioner Scott Orenstein Commissioner Mark Wisenbaker, Commissioner Demarcus Marshall Commissioner Michael Smith Chairman Slaughter called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. INVOCATION Commissioner Michael Smith PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG Commissioner Michael Smith MINUTES The minutes were presented for the work session of April 7, 2025 and the regular session of April 8, 2025. No revisions were requested. Vice Chairperson Evans made a motion to approve the minutes as presented, second by Commissioner Orenstein. All voted in favor, no one opposed. Motion carried. Chairman Slaughter stated if there were no objections, staff would like to add an item to the agenda, Val Del Road and North Valdosta Road Intersection Improvement Bids. There being no objections, Chairman Slaughter asked that the item be added as agenda item 7B. APPOINTMENTS Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) County Manager. Paige Dukes, presented the appointments. Mrs. Dukes stated the term of Ms. Kelley Saxon expired March 8, 2025. Mrs. Saxon has reached the maximum amount of time that a member can serve on the board, which is two terms. Also, the term of Mr. Carlton Richard will expire May 28, 2025. At this time, Mr. Richard is not seeking reappointment. Ms. Juliana Powell has expressed an interest in serving on this board as well as Ms. Lawanna Barron; if the commission wishes to take action on both seats at this time. Commissioner Marshall nominated Ms. Lawana Barron for the expiring term of Ms. Kelley Saxon. There being no other nominations, Ms. Lawanna Barron was appointed by acclamation. Commissioner Orenstein nominated Ms. Juliana Powell for the expiring term of Mr. Carlton Richard. There being no other nominations, Ms. Juliana Powell was appointed by acclamation. FOR CONSIDERATION Acceptance of the VAWA Continuation Grant Award for 2025 Chairman Bill Slaughter presented the item. Chairman Slaughter stated the commission heard from the Solicitor General's Office Representative, Karen Hayes at the work session. No further discussion took place. Vice Chairperson Evans made a motion to accept the grant award and authorize the Chairman to sign the documents, second by Commissioner Wisenbaker. All voted in favor, no one opposed. Motion carried. FY2026 Juvenile Justice Incentive Grant Application EMA Director, Ashley Tye, presented the item. Mr. Tye stated this is the 12th year that Lowndes County has applied for the Juvenile Justice Incentive Grant. This grant funds the Functional Family Therapy, which is utilized by the Juvenile Court as a diversion program. Commissioner Smith made a motion to approve and authorize Chairman Slaughter to sign the application documents, including a Memorandum of Understanding with Evidence-Based Associates, and for staff to submit the completed application to the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, second by Commissioner Marshall. All voted in favor, no one opposed. Motion carried. Emergency Purchase - Naylor Tower Top Amp Replacement 911 Director, Tonya Davis, presented the item. Mrs. Davis stated on March 15, 2025, during a thunderstorm, the tower top amp at the Naylor Public Safety Radio System Tower Site was struck by lightning and damaged, causing interruptions in communications. The total amount for the equipment and installation is $36,776.00. Commissioner Smith asked how quickly this could be repaired. Mrs. Davis responded that in previous years, it was less than two weeks. Commissioner Marshall made a motion to approve the purchase in the amount of $36,776.00, second by Commissioner Wisenbaker. All voted in favor, no one opposed. Motion carried. BID 2025 Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) Resurfacing Bids (Project #: ENG 2025- 01) Director of Engineering Services, Chad McLeod, presented the item. Mr. McLeod stated the 2025 Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) application was approved by the Commission on January 14, 2025. The grant was approved by the Georgia Department of Transportation, Lowndes County received the grant funds, and staff advertised the project for bids. Bids were opened on April 15, 2025, and staff received two bids. Reames and Son Construction in the amount of 1,478,673.94 and the Scruggs Company in the amount of$1,645,355.87. The LMIG grant will pay for $1,366,958.46 with the remainder being paid for by SPLOST VIII as part of the grant match. Commissioner Smith asked if this is the LMIG for the year, Mr. McLeod responded yes. County Manager, Paige Dukes added the LMIG match is a set percentage that the county can forecast. In SPLOST VIII, the county went ahead and forecast that for every year we would have to make a match, and you will see this again next year with another list of projects with the same funding source; it does come outofSPLOST. Commissioner Wisenbaker made a motion to approve Reames and Son Construction as the low bidder in the amount of $1,478,673.94, second by Vice Chairperson Evans and Commissioner Orenstein. All voted in favor, no one opposed. Motion carried. 2 Val Del Road at North Valdosta Road Intersection Improvement Bids Director of Engineering Services, Chad McLeod, presented the item. Mr. McLeod stated the Val Del Road at North Valdosta Road Intersection Improvements include traveling south, one dedicated left turn lane, one dedicated left turn and straight lane, and one dedicated right turn all with a 500' stacking depth. When traveling north, two lanes for 500'. Included in this project is new drainage, site improvements, new guardrails, signal upgrades, new striping and relocation of utilities. Bids were opened yesterday, April 21st and staff received two bids. Reames and Son Construction in the amount of $1,727,365.72 and the Scruggs Company in the amount of $1,851,180.40. Mr. McLeod stated the 2024 LMIG Supplemental Grant will pay for $1,500,000.00 and SPLOST VIII will pay for $227,365.72. Commissioner Wisenbaker asked if there was enough land, Mr. McLeod responded that no right of way was acquired, but there were a few construction easements and utility easements. Chairman Slaughter asked Mrs. Dukes to speak with additional comments related to this project. Mrs. Dukes stated Mrs. Barwick will take the social media pages and change the project name and that process will start tomorrow with detour information as well as updates on the project. Mrs. Dukes mentioned regarding the project timeline, this will start as soon as possible with school being out for the summer. Commissioner Wisenbaker asked where is the detour, Mr. McLeod answered a detour would be set up for commercial traffic, which will be Highway 122 to I-75. There will be no detour established for local traffic, only message boards on Val Del Road. Commissioner Smith asked who is responsible for the message boards and signage, Mr. McLeod answered we will use ours and if needed, the contractor will supplement. Chairman Slaughter mentioned he spoke to the Lowndes County Board of Education Superintendent, Sandra Wilcher, regarding bus routing and explained that our hopes are to have this done during the summer and impact bus travel the least amount as possible. Mr. McLeod responded in the bid documents it states that the road cannot be closed until May 27th. Mrs. Dukes asked if the Commissioners had any suggestions regarding this project, to please notify her. Commissioner Marshall made a motion to approve the low bidder, Reames and Son Construction in the amount of$1,727,365.72, second by Commissioner Orenstein. All voted in favor, no one opposed. Motion carried. REPORTS - County Manager County Manager, Paige Dukes, reported the following: Mrs. Dukes asked Lowndes County Public Information Officer, Meghan Barwick, to speak about the county's role in the Bluesberry Festival and the Plein Air Art Competition, which was held on the lawn of the historic courthouse. Mrs. Barwick explained that the Plein Air Art competition allows artists to sign up and paint what they observe outdoors. There were twelve artists registered and ten completed their paintings. Mrs. Barwick thanked the sponsors - Miller Hardware, the Public Arts Advisory Committee and the Central Valdosta Development Authority, for donating prizes to the winners. The winners were: First place: Todd Wessel; Second place: Emme Shiver; and Third place: Daisy Taylor. Additionally, Mrs. Barwick mentioned that many blueberry pancakes were served and extended special thanks to the Quiet Pines staff. Mrs. Dukes asked Lowndes County Community Development Director, Rachel Thrasher to update the commission regarding the Quiet Pines Golf Course. Mrs. Thrasher reported that Quiet Pines has been open since the end of November. The original building was destroyed by Hurricane Helene, and the partnership with Moody Air Force Base (AFB) has been invaluable. Moody AFB has received an award from the federal government for disaster recovery funds. At the time, 400 facilities on base were damaged, and a priority list for repairs was created. Quiet Pines ranked among the top twenty facilities and ultimately made the top five on the list. 3 Mrs. Thrasher mentioned that operations have been conducted out of a 32-foot portable building since November, and golf activity has actually increased since the hurricane. Regarding the building timeline, the contractor is hopeful that construction will be completed by the end of the year. Mrs. Dukes then introduced Garry Dodard, Community Initiatives Officer for Moody Air Force Base. Mr. Dodard stated that he will be serving Moody Air Force Base and the local community by building partnerships and strengthening relationships within Lowndes County and Moody Air Force Base. Mrs. Dukes expressed gratitude to Mr. Dodard, stating we are very grateful for you and your service to Moody Air Force Base and our community. CITIZENS WISHING TO BE HEARD - Kelley Saxon, 8 Baldwin Place, addressed the commission and stated April is 'Second Chance Month' and stated this is a nationwide effort to raise awareness about the barriers faced by individuals with criminal records and to support their successful reintegration into society. Ms. Saxon asked that consideration be given to Legacy clients to fulfill their treatment requirements through Legacy certified counselors and health professionals while providing successful and supportive care and reducing the likelihood of unnecessary incarceration. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Wisenbaker made a motion to adjourn the meeting, second by Commissioner Orenstein. Chairman Slaughter adjourned the meeting at 6:01 p.m. 4