Bulloch County Commissioners met for their bi-monthly meeting on Tuesday evening, March 5, 2024. Chairman Roy Thompson asked department heads overseeing Bulloch County Recreation and Parks and Splash in the Boro to give the commissioners an overview of the magnitude of the job they perform for our community daily. This is in response to a citizens concern expressed in the last meeting.
Alex Estrada, Director Splash in the Boro explained the challenges of operating the venue with 300 employees who are mostly part time high school student. He went through they typical day which begins hours before the park opens for visitors. They go to great lengths to make sure the facility is clean and presentable for every guests.
There are instances that happen during the day that can create operational challenges like when they have what he referred to as a "bodily mishap" in a pool.
He expressed that they are not perfect, but work each day to provide the best and safest experience for each guest who enters the facility.
Tony Morgan, Parks Division Manager has worked for the department for over two decades. He has served in this position for over 13 years. His team consists of 20 full-time positions, plus 10 to 25 seasonal and when available assistance from BCCI inmates.
He said they also are not perfect and are struggling with maintaining a strong workforce. They currently have four positions open and two employees out on leave so they are currently six employees down at this time.
His department oversees:
- the maintenance of 250 acres of parks
- oversees the grounds of 54 other county facilities, including EMS, Fire, County Annex
- over 154,000 square feet of landscape beds
- 7 playgrounds
- 22 baseball
- softball fields
- 6 soccer
- 155 miles of lines per year painted.
- for special events they manage the venues including setup.
- landscape and irrigate all new County Buildings.
ZONING AGENDA
DEFERRED to next evening meeting because no representative attended the meeting. 1. Brian Scott Reddick has submitted an application for the conditional use of allowing a facility to host private and public functions. The property is located at 10143 Hwy. 80 East, Parcel No. 163 000029 000.
APPROVED - 2. Miraya Investments, LLC submitted a request for a conditional use of operating a liquor store. The proposed location is 8741 US Hwy. 301 South, Parcel No. 062B000003 001.
Niky Green spoke in favor of the request.
APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA
1. Minutes Approval: Tuesday February 20th, 2024 08:30 AM
2. Approve the Corrected Regular and Executive Session Minutes from the July 5th, 2023 Board of Commissioners Meeting
An apparent scrivener’s error in preparing both the minutes of the regular meeting and the minutes of the executive session. Minutes were corrected to reflect a motion that was made and carried in regular session after discussion was had during Executive Session.
3. Approve a Resolution to Approve the Location of a Paving Project for Lee Road
OCGA Sections 21-2-109 and 32-3-5 require a condemning authority to approve the location of a road project and advertise it in the newspaper once a week for four weeks within 30 days of the location approval. The purpose of the attached resolution is to satisfy this requirement. Approval is recommended.
4. Authorization to Send Notices of Non-Renewal to Certain Employee Health Plan Vendors
The County's benefits broker, Mark III Employee Benefits, is working to obtain proposals from current and prospective health plan vendors for claims administration services. At the conclusion of the project, the County will select its 2024/2025 vendor/partners for claims administration (TPA) services, provider network (PPO) access, and medical precertification services.
Currently, the county operates under written agreements with the following organizations for the performance of these services:
- 90 Degree Benefits/Covenant,
- Industry Buying Group (IBG), and
- Hines and Associates.
Our agreements with these vendors contain an automatic renewal clause and require the County to notify the vendors in advance if we wish to avoid automatic renewal
Although vendors for the 2024/2025 plan year have not yet been identified, staff is requesting authorization to send non-renewal letters to the organizations listed above. These letters will prevent automatic renewal of the existing agreement and allow time for new agreements with the vendor/partners that are ultimately selected.
5. Approve the Appointment of Adam Bath to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a term of 3-years ending December 31, 2026.
6. Approve a Resolution to Authorize the Sale of Real Property and to Enter into a Real Estate Sales Contract Regarding Same
Gary and Margaret Dorsey have requested to purchase a portion of the former Savannah & Statesboro Railway Company right-of-way that runs through their property, which right-of-way is owned by Bulloch County pursuant to a deed from Statesboro Telephone Company dated August 3, 1935 and recorded in Deed Book 125, Page 76, Bulloch County Records. The attached resolution authorizes the sale of this portion of the right-of-way to the Dorseys pursuant to an exception to the general bid or auction requirements in OCGA 36-9-3(h). Pursuant to the attached letter from Deputy Chief Appraiser Robert Fisher, the Dorseys' property is the only abutting property that would benefit from acquisition of this portion of the right-of-way, and the estimated value contribution to the Dorseys' property is $15,000.00. Approval of the attached resolution authorizing the sale of this portion of the right-of-way to the Dorseys for $15,000.00 is recommended
7. Motion to approve lease agreement between Statesboro Bulloch County Airport and Southeast Avionics
Lease will be for a year with renewal in January 2025
8. Approve a Polling Place Agreement with the Mayor and Council of the City of Statesboro
The Bulloch County Board of Elections and Registration has voted to relocate the polling place for the Statesboro Voting Precinct to the Jones-Love Building located at Luetta Moore Park. The attached polling place agreement authorizes use of this building as a polling place for the Statesboro Precinct. Approval is recommended
9. Approve an Agreement for Animal Control and Municipal Court Services with the City of Statesboro
Bulloch County has provided animal control services for the City of Statesboro for a number of years pursuant to an intergovernmental agreement and in accordance with the Service Delivery Agreement. The attached agreement continues this arrangement on the same terms and conditions but has been updated to reflect Statesboro's adoption of a new animal control ordinance and the provision of municipal court services by the magistrate court. Approval is recommended.
10. Motion for the acceptance of Allen-Smith Consulting to provide preparation and administration services of an Employment Incentive Program (EIP) grant application.
The Employment Incentive Program (EIP) is a set-aside portion of the state Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) and is intended to facilitate and enhance job creation and/or retention for low- and moderate-income persons by providing a flexible funding cycle. If awarded, EIP funding may be used by local governments for many types of public infrastructure projects.
The Bulloch County Development Authority has identified an infrastructure need and requested the assistance of Bulloch County to apply for an EIP grant to assist in the construction of a rail spur near the proposed Revalyu facility. Bulloch County solicited a request for proposals (RFP) on November 16, 2023, and received five responses on December 28, 2023. The RFPs were reviewed and scored by a committee which resulted in Allen-Smith Consulting scoring the highest. No County funding has been obligated for this project and is anticipated to be covered by the grant funds in the future, if awarded.
11. Motion for the acceptance of Turnipseed Engineers to provide the preliminary engineering report, design, and construction services for an Employment Incentive Program (EIP) grant application.
The Employment Incentive Program (EIP) is a set-aside portion of the state Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) and is intended to facilitate and enhance job creation and/or retention for low- and moderate-income persons by providing a flexible funding cycle. If awarded, EIP funding may be used by local governments for many types of public infrastructure projects.
The Bulloch County Development Authority has identified an infrastructure need and requested the assistance of Bulloch County to apply for an EIP grant to assist in the construction of a rail spur near the proposed Revalyu facility. Bulloch County solicited a request for qualifications (SOQ) on November 16, 2023, and received six responses on December 28, 2023. The SOQs were reviewed and scored by a committee which resulted in Turnipseed Engineers scoring the highest. No County funding has been obligated for this project and is anticipated to be covered by the grant funds in the future, if awarded.
12. Approve a Special Event Permit for Statesboro Ducks Unlimited to host a non-profit event at Ogeechee Technical College, 20 Joe Kennedy Boulevard on March 28, 2024 from 6:00pm until 10:00pm.
NEW BUSINESS
APPROVED - 1. Motion to approve a Federally-Funded Subaward Agreement with Bryan County in the amount of $7.5 million of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds
In 2022, the County entered into an agreement with Bryan, Chatham, and Effingham Counties to share the costs of infrastructure needed for the Bryan County Mega-Site and to also share in future tax revenues resulting from the new industries located on the site. Under this agreement, Bulloch County's share of the water and sewer infrastructure cost is $7.5 million and it needs to be paid to Bryan County as manager of the project.
Staff discussed various scenarios for funding this investment and determined the most favorable funding source to be the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (CSLFRF) received by the County under the American Rescue Plan Act. This project falls under one of the statutory eligible uses for CSLFRF as a "necessary investment in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure" in our region.
The subrecipient agreement presented for approval outlines provisions for Bulloch County to direct this federal funding to Bryan County and for all necessary monitoring and reporting to be completed as required by the US Treasury.
It is important to note that under the previously mentioned revenue sharing agreement, Bulloch County is expected to completely recoup this initial investment by 2030 and will continue to share in revenues generated from the Mega-Site through 2048.
While this subgrant was not included in the budget, Administration proposes using CSLFRF funding that was previously planned to be spent on a county-owned public water utility system in the southeastern portion of the County to be directed to Bryan County and explore other funding options to build out a county-owned system in the future.
The return is a little over $38 million over the 25 year agreement period. The payments will not begin until 2028. The $7.5 million investment will be recovered by 2030.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Lawton Sack - concerned about leadership of the County. He said a Sheriff's Deputy came to his house at 10 pm last night and he was served with a warrant and being called to a hearing for using his first amendment rights. When voices are suppressed for using his first amendment rights there is a problem. A citizen has the right to speak up and be heard. I have showed a lot of restraint and respect in these meeting. Showed the staff the same respect. Always had civil conversations. His organization has been kicked out of three locations because of phone calls by commissioners. Now they have been kicked out of First Friday.
He was told not to come to this meeting by the Deputy and Sheriff. This is not how things should operate in Bulloch. I will continue to come and share my voice no matter who threatens me or tries to suppress my voice. We should never ever be afraid to use our voice.
Len Fatica - speaking on behalf of residents who live off of Josh Deal road regarding the upcoming detour between Harville Road and 67. Already Josh Deal is a mini speedway. When I moved into Josh Deal Road there was three subdivisions. There are now six with a seventh coming soon. We need traffic mitigation on 67 and Josh Deal. Please take a serious look at this road especially before the 90 day period while the round about is being constructed.
Tim Powell - He appreciates the meeting EPD held last week. I got a bunch of good information. The question he has is regarding Bulloch being responsible for surface water. What does Bulloch have to do to get surface water to this project. It would have to come from the Savannah River. Why are we responsible for planning this and their needs. This is going to require some expense because of reports needed to EPD. Bulloch should not put any money into the well fund.
Dr. Frank Davis - spoke in favor of the Commissioners and their actions to provide water to Bryan County. He presented a power point presentation addressing the misconceptions regarding the water going to Hyundai. He agreed there are many things about the way the deal came about and the speed of the construction has caused a good bit of confusion.
- He also attended the EPD meeting and said that science was significantly overshadowed by attendee emotion and passion.
- No risk of saltwater intrusion in Bulloch
- No risk to wells set in the superficial aquifer
- no new residential wells will need to be drilled
- Some wells will need to be reset lower. A mitigation plan will cover that expense to the citizens
We need to support our Commissioners. I trust them and feel they will do what is right thing the represents what is best for the entire county and all of its citizens.
Bill Emely - Thanked Chairman Thompson who called me and discussed what my issues are. Well done. We appreciate that you took the time to reach out to me and help me understand my areas of concern. Still upset about the tax increases. The EPD meeting. Some Commissioners at the meeting were sitting in the audience, but none of them addressed the audience. Who invited the EPD? Bulloch County questions were not answered. If the wells are not drilled in Bulloch County then the County could loose millions of dollars. Ask again for the Commissioners to have an open town hall meeting.
David Bennett - spoke to the EPD meeting and the proposed amendments that include surface water to meet the needs. We know growth is coming. We need to start planing now to improve infrastructure. Concerned about effects of providing water to Bryan and the taxpayer funds being used to figure out alternative sources of water. Request leadership to have a town hall meeting on wells and water before you do anything else. With an issue this complex, why can't we have a referendum on the drilling of these wells. Slow down the process and figure out what is going on.
Bryan Pfund - concerned about Lawton Sack and issues regarding the freedom of speech. What is on the police report is not on the tape. The tape don't sound good. The police report does not reflect what is in the report.
COMMISSION AND STAFF COMMENTS
Jeff Akins, County Attorney explained that people saying that we should have a referendum on certain issues. There is no lawful way to do this. Commissioners can't just do this. It is consider a straw poll and an unauthorized use of their authority. Just to have a referendum on a particular issue without the legislative authority, they can't do that.
Kristie King, CFO reminded the commissioners and the audience that the budget retreat will be held at Bishop Fieldhouse is March 11th and 12th. They are open meetings.
Tom Couch, County Manager, said they are working with GS water researchers. We have asked them to put together a frame work for well mitigation. We think part of that can be finding unregulated well. Bulloch and Bryan has every intention to make sure citizens wells are not impacted.
On the 25 year water supply, we need to figure this out before then. EPD knows funding this will be an issue. We have to look at this as a regional or sub state or multi state issue. This is the equivalent of dredging the Savannah River. It will take a lot of resources to figure this out. The health department did not start permitting wells until 2011.
We are working to figure out a way to fund the well mitigation in a way that does not require local tax payer funds.
Mr. Bennett you have to be assured that the County Commission is making great investment now in all the plans you are talking about. A transportation plan, an internal workforce study, looking at local facilities, a comprehensive plan. You can't operate the Government in a vacuum and you can't do all this planning in a vacuum. We have to plan to be at a population of 100,000 in the not to distant future. No one imagined that we would have a major auto plant in 2.5 years. We are working faster on plans than I have at any time in my career.
Commissioner Timmy Rushing, agrees that the mitigation of wells should include wells that are not permitted. Maybe we should have a 12 month period where the Health Department can inspect the wells.
House Bill 1146 will allow the State to drill these wells. They don't need us. Our question now is to determine we whether Bulloch County gets money for water coming out of Bulloch County or not.
Commissioner Toby Conner said that the county is deep in conversations trying to figure out the best way to mitigate any citizens well issues without using tax payers dollars.
Commissioner Curt Deal said the well situation is here. It is our responsibility to move this forward in a way that is best for Bulloch County.
Chairman Roy Thompson said that he has always listened to suggestions and ideas of folks that are much smarter than him. You have a professional geologist figuring out where the water is coming from. That is who we are listening to.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
After a brief Executive Session the Commissioners returned and took no action.
