Shane Hix

The meeting agenda included several administrative items, reports from Constitutional Officers and Department Heads, and reports from the County Administrator and Chairman. Old Business items focused on Water and Sewer Authority Board Appointments, the Legacy Link FY27 Commitment Letter, Open Records / Open Meetings Training, discussion regarding additional staff or programs in the Recreation Department, and the location for a City / County Meeting scheduled for March 12, 2026. New Business covered the City of Hartwell's proposed annexation of several parcels for commercial use, consideration of accepting Deer Creek Farm Road into the County System, Level II subdivision approval for Drifting Oaks Subdivision (Phase I), and consideration for Credit for Experience for Magistrate Court. The session concluded with an Executive Session concerning Personnel, Litigation, and Real Estate matters.

The meeting addressed the relocation of essential county functions due to an unspecified situation. Key discussions and resolutions involved moving Superior Court Trials from the Hart County Courthouse to the Hart County School System's AgroSciences Center, and relocating Grand Jury activities from the Hart County Courthouse to the lower level of the Hart County Library. No other items were addressed.

The meeting commenced with the Election of Officers for 2026, resulting in the nomination and confirmation of a Chairman and Vice Chairman. Key discussions under Old Business included approving the advertising for 2026 Board and Authority appointments, adding specific roads to the current paving contract, and approving the Chairman to sign a letter of intent for the GMRC 2026 Flyover program. Appointments were made to the Tax Assessors Board. New Business focused on adopting the 2026 Election Qualifying Fees and approving the ADA Policy. The Board also discussed making Veterans Day a County Holiday. A setback variance request for His Vision Inc. was considered and ultimately denied. The session concluded with an Executive Session covering Litigation, Personnel, and Real Estate matters, during which the approval of an EMS Administrative Assistant at grade 15 was processed before adjournment.

The combined proceedings covered election of officers for 2026 and the approval of the agenda. Old Business items included seeking an extension for the Solar Moratorium by 90 days, awarding the bid for the Recreation Department Batting Cage Cover, canceling the second BOC December meeting, and correcting a previous Recreation Advisory Board appointment. New Business involved adopting the 2026 County Fee Schedule Resolution, approving Transfer Station Christmas Holiday Hours, handling numerous renewals and denials for Beer and Wine Licenses (Class A and B) and Distilled Spirits Licenses, approving the UGA Extension Service Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), and moving the City of Hartwell Annexation request for parcels C70B 096 and C70B 095 to arbitration. The Board also addressed the 2026 Election Qualifying Fees, approved the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) Policy, and reviewed a setback variance request from His Vision Inc. for a property at 60 Melody Point Road, opting to enforce strict compliance for one property while considering the variance for the other due to high relocation costs. Discussions also included road paving plans for Orchard Road and Walters Road, preparing a preliminary list of roads for FY26 LMIG funds, and a GMRC Agreement for 2026 aerial photography/LiDAR services. The Chairman provided reports recognizing recent paramedic exam successes and the retirement of the Solid Waste Superintendent.

The meeting agenda was amended to include several re-approvals concerning Millage Rollback Rates and the Total Millage (PT-35), as well as an approval for the Chairman to sign a Letter of Intent for 2026 Aerial Photography. A guest speaker from KCI Technologies, Inc. provided data analysis on road conditions, which led to a failed motion to rebid the Road Study. The County Administrator reported on the temporary closure of the Transfer Station for maintenance. Old Business included awarding the bid for the Transfer Station Building to Charles Black Construction, Inc., and objecting to the Town of Bowersville Annexation of Parcel C16 034 due to density and strain on EMS services. The Chamber of Commerce announced details for the upcoming Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony honoring Chuck Cawthon. New Business involved appointing Chris Calloway to the Library Board and adopting a proclamation designating the week of November 11, 2025, as Veteran's Week. A discussion regarding an Annexation Moratorium, intended to encourage the Hartwell City Council to implement one, did not receive a second. The session concluded with an Executive Session covering Litigation, Personnel, and Real Estate matters.