Gina M. Bowling

The meeting agenda included a Quarterly Financial Report presentation and discussion of the Comprehensive Plan. New business items involved unanimous approvals for six Special Exception Applications related to various businesses (Baking & Pastries, Construction, Wallpaper Installation, Personal Training & Fitness, CPR & First Aid Training, and RV Rental). The Commissioners considered the acceptance of the 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan for FY2026--FY2030. They also approved a quote for access controls at the Magistrate Court building ($28,609.74) and a bid for a fire alarm system upgrade at the Juvenile Complex ($10,346.99), both funded by 2018 SPLOST. Approval was granted for the annual cleaning bid for 22 ice machines ($10,250). The Board authorized the disbursement of 2018 SPLOST revenue for recreation facilities and equipment per a prior Intergovernmental Agreement. A Memorandum of Agreement was approved for joint bidding on LMIG projects with neighboring cities. Personnel matters included authorizing the hiring of poll workers for the February 17, 2026 Special Runoff Election and approving the reclassification of the Solid Waste Billing Clerk position. Finally, the payment of bills totaling $9,370,484.94 was authorized, followed by an Executive Session.

Key actions taken during the meeting included the unanimous approval of the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) proposal submitted by Parrish Construction Group, Inc., for $1,679,073.00, funded by reserve funds and included in the FY25 Budget. The Commissioners also approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Chairman Perdue to sign with the Houston County Sheriffs Department regarding fingerprinting applicants and obtaining background checks for various licenses, renewing the mandatory two-year agreement. Furthermore, the Board unanimously approved declaring 17 monitors, 27 desktop computers, and 5 walk-behind mowers as surplus for sale on Gov Deals. Finally, a bid from Phil Brannen Ford was approved to purchase one new F-550 Cab & Chassis for $72,077, to be paid from 2018 SPLOST funds, replacing a vehicle with a blown engine.

The Commissioners Meeting included several key agenda items. Discussions and actions were taken regarding three separate annexation requests from the City of Warner Robins, each with specific stipulations concerning water studies, surface water, and existing county utilities. The Board considered approving a Resolution and Intergovernmental Agreement for imposing a one percent Floating Local Option Sales and Use Tax (FLOST) countywide, which requires a voter election scheduled for May 19, 2026, with proceeds intended for property tax relief. Other significant actions included approving a Surplus Resolution authorizing the Purchasing Agent to dispose of low-value surplus property, appointing Ms. Ellie Loudermilk as County Historian, and acknowledging the appointment of Zaire Brown to the Board of Elections. The Board also approved an independent contractor agreement for juvenile court attorney services, a personnel request to hire an Office Assistant for the Solicitor's Office, a supplemental agreement for the Elberta Road Widening project, a bid for Courthouse parking lot lights replacement, an award for Construction-Manager-at-Risk services for the SR 127 Water Treatment Facility, and two grant acceptances for the Solicitor General's and District Attorney's Offices to fund Victim Assistance and Compensation. Finally, the Board set qualifying fees for the 2026 elections, approved ARPA budget adjustments between capital projects, ratified final FY2025 audit budget adjustments, and approved the payment of bills totaling $2,636,623.16.

The meeting covered several new business items, including the approval of the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) proposal of $1,679,073.00 for the HEMA Storage Warehouse project, which will be funded by reserve funds and was included in the FY25 Budget. The Commissioners authorized the Chairman to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Sheriff's Department regarding background checks for various license applicants, effective from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2027. A decision was made to declare specific items, including monitors, desktop computers, and walk-behind mowers, as surplus for sale on GovDeals. Additionally, the bid from Phil Brannen Ford for a new F-550 Cab & Chassis for Public Works was approved at a cost of $72,077.00, replacing a vehicle with a blown engine. The board also approved the appointment of Will Davis as the Director of Management Information Systems, effective January 5, 2026, at Grade 33, Step B, following the retirement of the current director. Finally, the payment of bills totaling $5,288,150.15 across various funds was authorized.

The meeting addressed various topics including a public hearing for right-of-way abandonment, annexation by the City of Warner Robins, and a resolution for a moratorium on licenses for businesses selling vape, low THC oil, tobacco, and alcohol products. The board discussed and potentially approved a bid for a juvenile truck, reappointments to the Houston County Library Board, and hiring poll workers for a special election. Additionally, they considered a Hyper-V server replacement, declaring surplus items, a grant approval for LMIG, and temporarily lowering Houston Lake. Budget adjustments were discussed, and the approval of bills was on the agenda.