Douglas County

The commission meeting commenced with an invocation and pledge of allegiance. Public comment included Judge Brian Forner providing an update on the launch of the new website for the State DUI and Drug Court program, supported by the Stark Foundation, which offers resources for participants. The agenda adoption was approved unanimously. The commission approved the minutes for the commission meeting of December 16, 2025, the work session minutes of December 15, 2025, and the executive session minutes of December 15 and 16, 2025. New business included the approval of an extension for Connect Douglas's contract with Transitions Commute Solutions to allow for the completion of the RFP process for a third-party operator, and authorization for the chairman to execute an annual agreement with District 1 legislative aid Daryl Moss. The consent agenda was approved unanimously. Announcements covered schedule changes due to the Martin Luther King holiday, a joint town hall meeting for District 1, congratulations to Commissioner Martin Braxton on receiving the Rising Star award, recycling events by Keep Douglas County Beautiful, tree sapling giveaways, and the need for volunteers for the by-annual Point In Time Count to assess the unhoused population. Finally, the availability of the 2026 Citizens Academy application was noted before the board recessed until 6:00 p.m.

The meeting commenced with the Chairman calling the session to order. A key agenda item involved the approval of the minutes from the October 12, 2021 meeting, which was unanimously approved. Under old business, an update was provided on the P-Card Updating Plan, noting that documentation is being completed for Bank of America to assign an implementation team engineer; the existing P-card system remains active until the new system is implemented. The Director of Purchasing reported no new business items. The Chairman noted that future updates regarding savings identified by Mr. Sam Gotta, whose purpose is to help the county identify cost savings, are anticipated soon and will be presented to the full Board of Commissioners.

The meeting commenced with a roll call establishing a quorum. The agenda included an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. Key discussion items involved the approval of meeting minutes from various prior sessions, including a regular commission meeting, a work session, executive sessions, and special called meetings from September 2022. The Board considered and approved two proclamations: one declaring October as Cyber Security Awareness Month in Douglas County, featuring input from the Chief Information Officer regarding increased threats, and another declaring October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which included a personal testimony from a survivor.

The work session involved public comments concerning an ongoing permitting issue related to a building construction project and associated contractor hiring, as well as concerns regarding traffic routing. A presentation was given detailing financial and project updates through January and February, noting budget statuses for Fire, Parks and Rec, and Transportation departments, and a slight shortfall in collections compared to projections. Project updates covered the radio system implementation, status of new fire trucks, Station 3 renovations (where bids came in high and value engineering is underway), road resurfacing programs, streetlight installation on Riverside, the Lead Road extension, the Rockhouse Road traffic signal, and design progress for Stewart Mill Road. Updates were also provided on sidewalk projects, parks equipment procurement, construction of restrooms and concession stands, tennis court supplies, and status of the Multi-Purpose Rec Center and Senior Center architect selections. The session concluded with a review of local vendor utilization percentages within Douglas County.

This document details projects funded by SPLOST 2016, specifically impacting District 1, across three main categories: Fire/EMS/Public Safety, Transportation, and Parks and Recreation. Key initiatives include upgrading the public safety radio system, procuring new emergency vehicles and equipment, renovating fire stations, and enhancing fire safety education. Transportation improvements focus on an annual road resurfacing program over a six-year period, alongside critical intersection and sidewalk projects. Parks and Recreation projects encompass the construction of a Senior Center and various park improvements and equipment acquisitions.