Belinda C. Lovern

The board meeting included a special presentation honoring a long-time employee for her 53 years of service to the county. Appointments were made to the Lowndes County Division of Family and Children Services Board. Financial approvals were granted for the FY27 DUI Court Grant, the Accountability Court Grant, and the Juvenile Accountability Court grant with cash match requirements. The board accepted infrastructure for the Camelot Crossing commercial development and approved the purchase of new email software. Additionally, an amendment to the county's alcoholic beverage ordinance regarding distance requirements from schools and churches was approved. The 911 director provided a report on a successful audit from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and a reminder was given regarding the upcoming exhumation of a time capsule at the historic courthouse.

The meeting focused on several key items, including the approval of a supplemental agreement for the Coleman Road Northwest Paving and Drainage Improvements project and the approval of the design-build agreement for the new animal shelter. The County Manager provided updates regarding the planned schedule for the governmental building site assessment, the lifting of the burn ban restriction for residential zoning areas, and hurricane season preparedness efforts. Citizens voiced concerns regarding the potential environmental impacts of chemical refrigerants used in data centers and shared observations about the local aquifer's fragility.

The board discussed and addressed several administrative and project-related items. Appointments to the Greater Lowndes Planning Commission and the Lowndes County Library Board were tabled until the following month. A public hearing regarding the Copeland Road subdivision was removed from the agenda to allow for re-advertisement. The board approved the 2026 holiday schedule and the 2026 commission meeting calendar. Additionally, a memorandum of agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation was approved for the bridge replacement project on Jumping Gully Road at Beville Creek. The County Manager provided updates on various community events, including the bicentennial chamellia dedication, the annual river cleanup, and the Girls on the Run 5K.

The meeting featured a proclamation for Operation Green Light for Veterans. The Board approved the addition of several subdivisions to the enhanced and basic decorative street lighting districts. Emergency repairs were authorized for the public safety radio system due to lightning damage. The Board accepted the fiscal year 2023 delinquency prevention grant and selected Peaceway Counseling and Mediation Services as the provider for the Strengthening Families program. Additionally, the Board expressed no objection to a de-annexation request by the City of Hahira. Bid approvals were granted for the second-floor renovation of the administration building to Kellerman Construction and the furniture package for the historic courthouse to Business Interiors. The County Manager reported on the loss of a staff member, upcoming office closures for Veterans Day, and progress on the Lowndes County Jail mental health expansion project.

The meeting agenda includes several appointments to the Valdosta-Lowndes County Zoning Board of Appeals, the Valdosta-Lowndes County Airport Authority, and the Lowndes County Public Facilities Authority. Key discussion items include a public hearing for the Touchton Lake Park rezoning request, the withdrawal of the Salem Church Tower project, and the review of the Old US 41 North Widening project agreement. Additionally, the Board will consider a beer, wine, and liquor license application, a GEFA loan for lift station bypass pumps, the renewal of ACCG IRMA property and liability insurance, and the issuance of Industrial Authority Series 2026 bonds. Bids for the Twin Lakes Road project will also be reviewed alongside regular reports from the County Manager.