Arthur Jackson

Key discussion items for this meeting include the election of 2026 County Officers, recognition of Mr. Ben Vickers for 34 years of service on the Board of Tax Assessors, and decisions regarding the approval or rejection of FY 2026 alcohol license renewals. The agenda also calls for appointments to various boards and authorities whose terms expired on December 31, 2025, including the Economic Development Authority, Hospital Authorities, and Recreation Board. Further items involve approving a resolution for the appointment to the Tax Assessors Board (Post #3), fixing and publishing qualifying fees for the FY 2026 election, and reviewing/approving proposals for landfill post-closure services and appraisal maintenance services. The Commission is also scheduled to consider resolutions regarding language access plans and naming open records custodians for the County and the Sheriff's Office. Additionally, there are first readings and subsequent public hearings/approvals scheduled for several rezoning requests concerning property use changes from Agriculture or Residential to Warehouse Light Industrial or Commercial.

Key discussions and actions during the meeting included the approval of County Officers for FY 2026 and the announcement of a courthouse closure for the Martin Luther King holiday. The Commission approved FY 2026 alcohol licenses for renewal and confirmed numerous appointments to various boards, including the Economic Development Authority, Hospital Authority, and Recreation Board. A resolution was approved appointing Gray McKinnon to the Tax Assessors Board, Post #3. The Commission also approved a resolution to fix and publish qualifying fees for the FY 2026 election. Further actions included approving service agreements for Landfill Post Closure Services with Jacobs Engineering Group and appraisal maintenance services with Georgia Mass Appraisal Solutions & Services. Resolutions were passed adopting a revised Language Access Plan and naming Open Records Custodians for the County and the Sheriff's office. The meeting included several First Readings for rezoning requests, including one for Alma Garcia (denial recommended), Johnny Brantley, Jr. (approval recommended), and a Text Amendment to the Land Development Code regarding RV parks. Public hearings were held for two rezoning requests by Carlton Dorminey (Warehouse Light Industrial and Commercial), both of which the Commission voted to deny or table, respectively. A third commercial rezoning request by Carlton Dorminey was tabled.

The key discussions and actions taken during the meeting included the review and approval of bids for county equipment. The Board approved the purchase of a dump truck for the Road Department using SPLOST funds, opting for the low bid from Tom Nehl for a 2026 Western Star with an Allison transmission. They also approved the annual allocation purchase of five 2026 Ford Explorer Sheriff's Patrol Vehicles from Anderson Ford. Furthermore, the Board approved a 5% budget increase for the Satilla Regional Library, which had not received an increase in eight years, and approved a price increase for commercial dumpsters, effective April 1, 2026. Significant time was dedicated to zoning matters, including the first reading of a request to rezone property for commercial use on Willacoochee Highway and a request for a subdivision application. A public hearing was held regarding the rezoning of property for a welding shop (Alma Garcia request), which was ultimately denied based on staff and Planning Commission recommendations due to location and potential road issues. Another public hearing addressed the rezoning of property for a mechanic shop (Johnny Brantley, Jr. request), which was approved with the condition that 8-foot privacy fences be installed on both the East and West sides of the property as a buffer. The Board also approved a text amendment to the Land Development Code regarding Recreational Vehicle Parks and Campgrounds, specifically concerning road paving requirements. Finally, two separate rezoning requests by Carlton Dorminey for properties on Highway 32 West were approved, with the second requiring an 8-foot visual screening fence on the side abutting residential property.

The meeting included announcements regarding office closures for the Christmas and New Years holidays, and recognition for the Fire Chief serving as the Grand Marshall of the Christmas parade. Key agenda items involved the review and unanimous approval of the FY 2026 Budget, which totals $23,156,000.00 for the County budget and $57,109,400.00 for the Combined Special Revenue Fund Budget. The Board also unanimously approved the FY 2025 Budget amendments, which involve an $850,000.00 increase to various departments with no net effect on the General Fund, along with amendments for other specialized funds. A Contract for the Services Agreement for Collection of Municipal Taxes, effective January 1, 2026, involving several cities and the Tax Commissioner, was approved. Multiple public hearings were held regarding rezoning requests. The request by Jeremy Dorminey to rezone 14.29 acres from Agriculture to Commercial was approved. The request by CT Realty Investment Group to rezone 50 acres for a proposed asphalt plant from Agriculture to Warehouse Heavy Industrial was rejected following public discussion concerning health and proximity concerns. A rezoning request for Charles Griffis to change 1.82 acres from Agriculture to Commercial for a mechanic shop was approved. A request by Bobby Guthrie to rezone 5.05 acres from Residential to Agriculture was also approved. Finally, subdivision applications for Thomas E. Butts (7 acres, 7 lots) and Memphis Enterprises, LLC (25 acres, 14 lots) were both approved.

The key discussion topics for the session include announcements regarding office closures and the start of General Primary/Non-Partisan Election qualifying. Agenda items cover the approval for appointment to the Southern Georgia Regional Commission Board, decisions regarding the county maintained road list, and the potential surplus of a Sheriff vehicle (2013 Chevrolet Tahoe). The agenda also includes approval/rejection of bids for drainage pipe replacement projects on George Deen Road/Huffer Road and Circle K/Ranch Road. Furthermore, the commission addresses multiple land use items, including the first reading and subsequent public hearing/action on road abandonments for Rustic Road, and portions of Jesse's Lane and Oscar Patton Road. Finally, there are proceedings related to rezoning requests and subdivision applications concerning properties on Willacoochee Highway and Elzie Anderson Road/Mingledorf Road.