Bulloch County Commissioners met for the regular bi-monthly meeting on Tuesday, July 18, 2023 in the Commission meeting room at the Bulloch County Annex.
During the public comments period the Commissioners Old Happy Road resident Clara Rawls Eason provided a PowerPoint slide presentation to the Commissioners showing them the challenging conditions of Old Happy Road. She asked them to please make an exception to their 80% of property owner policy approval and pave the road. It is a connector road from Old 46 and I-16 and has high traffic volume.
Brad Deal, County Engineer spoke regarding Old Happy Road. They currently have 62% of the right of way frontage committed. 65% of the property owners have agreed to allow the paving. The County has budgeted $150,000 in the FY 24 budget to pave the road. The road has a priority score of 63 which is one of the highest scores for roads that need to be paved. There are over 70 homes that use Old Happy Road on a daily basis. In addition the maintenance needs are high due to the traffic volume. He recommended reducing the 80% threshold to pave this road. He feels that any road with a priority score higher than 60 with over 60% support for paving should be approved in the future as well.
Of the 33 landowners, 22 have signed the petition in favor of paving. Of the 11 remaining landowners, five have opposed and six have not responded.
Dink Butler, Director of Public Works told the Commissioners that this roads they receive the highest number of complaints and takes a good bit of resources and time to maintain.
APPROVED: A Motion was made to move forward with paving Old Happy Road after discussion by the Commissioners.
Chairman Roy Thompson opened the meeting by addressing a recent planing and zoning meeting that got a little out of hand. He reminded attendees and citizens loose decorum it is difficult for the Commissioners or Board members to hear and understand citizens addressing the Commission. Chair Thompson then read from the County Policies addressing his role in conducting an orderly meeting.
CONSENT AGENDA - ALL APPROVED
Motion to Approve Catastrophic Inmate Medical Insurance Renewal
Attached is a renewal quote from Hunt Insurance Group for catastrophic inmate medical insurance, covering inmates at the Bulloch County Jail and Bulloch County Correctional Institute. This renewal proposal provides the same per-claim limits as our current plan - a $75,000.00 specific deductible per inmate and a $500,000.00 limit of coverage per inmate. This insurance plan covers medical expenses that exceed $75,000.00, up to a maximum of $500,000.00 per covered claim ($1,000,000 policy maximum). The premium (cost) is $18,000, which is $4.00 per inmate per month. This represents a 3% increase from last year’s cost of $3.88 per inmate per month.
Authorize a lease renewal for Bulloch County USDA Service Center
This agreement is a renewal for property located at 151 Langston Chapel Road. This renewal will reflect a 36- month extension of the term of the current lease to expire on 12/31/2026. Effective 1/1/2024, the three-year extension rate will generate revenue in the amount of $89,190.99 annually to the General Fund.
Motion to enter into a Professional Services Agreement with Goodwyn Mills Cawood, LLC for the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP).
The Board of Commissioners approved staff to begin negotiations with GMC for the Statesboro-Bulloch County Long-Range Transportation Plan Update during the April 4, 2023 meeting. The Bulloch County Board of Commissioners and City of Statesboro will jointly fund the update with each committing 50% of the contract total. Bulloch County’s portion will be $190,000 and the City will be responsible for the remaining $190,000. Approval is recommended.
Motion to approve the purchase of computer replacements through Georgia Technologies in the amount of $47,650
Computers that are outdated and obsolete are replaced each budget year with Georgia Technologies' assistance. This is the first set of replacement computers this year. Georgia Technologies has negotiated a discount with Dell on the County's behalf. These computers are within budget and will be paid for with SPLOST funds. A copy of the requisition, proposal, and sole source justification form are attached. Approval is recommended.
Approval of Contract by and between Bulloch County and the Superior Court of Bulloch County for Probation Services
In order to comply with statutory requirements and the rules of the County and Municipal Probation Advisory Council, the County must have a contract for the provision of probation services through the County's Probation Department with the Superior Court of Bulloch County. At the Advisory Council's request, the attached updated contract revises Section 6 to require supervision and monitoring on a "monthly" basis instead of on a "regular" basis. Approval is recommended.
Approval of Contract by and between Bulloch County and the Mayor and Council of the City of Portal, Georgia for Probation Services
In order to comply with statutory requirements and the rules of the County and Municipal Probation Advisory Council, the County must have a contract with the City of Portal for the provision of probation services to the Municipal Court of Portal through the County's Probation Department. At the Advisory Council's request, the attached updated contract revises Section 6 to require supervision and monitoring on a "monthly" basis instead of on a "regular" basis. Approval is recommended.
Approval of Contract by and between Bulloch County and the State Court of Bulloch County for Probation Services
In order to comply with statutory requirements and the rules of the County and Municipal Probation Advisory Council, the County must have a contract for the provision of probation services through the County's Probation Department with the State Court of Bulloch County. At the Advisory Council's request, the attached updated contract revises Section 6 to require supervision and monitoring on a "monthly" basis instead of on a "regular" basis. Approval is recommended.
Approve an Intergovernmental Agreement by and between the Bulloch County School District, Bulloch County, and the Bulloch County Sheriff's Office
Authorize the Sheriff and Chairman of the Bulloch County Commission to execute an agreement for the use of Sheriff Deputies as School Resources Officers for the Bulloch County Board of Education as stated under the terms and conditions.
Approve Intergovernmental Agreement with Bulloch Academy, Inc., Bulloch County and the Bulloch County Sheriff's Office
Authorize the Sheriff and Chairman of the Bulloch County Commission to execute an agreement for the use of Sheriff Deputies as School Resource Officers for Bulloch Academy Incorporated as stated under the terms and conditions of the Agreement.
Approve Reappointment of Shannon Robertson and Keith Wilkey and the appointment of Jeneane Brown as Trustees to the Statesboro-Bulloch Library Board.
The Statesboro-Bulloch Library Board has two Trustees at the end of their terms and eligible for reappointment. Their 2nd terms of service would be from 7/1/23-6/30/26. The board has one vacancy to fill and has received at least one application for service. The selected applicant would serve a term from 7/1/23- 6/30/25. Regional Library Director Jennifer Durham has requested the Board on Commissioners approve these reappointments and new appointment.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Clara Rawls Eason provided a PowerPoint slide showing the Commissioners showing them conditions of Old Happy Road in asking them to please make an exception to their policy and pave the road. It is a connector road from Old 46 and I-16 and has high traffic volume.
Beth Wolfe moved to Bulloch County recently from Wilmington Island and lives on Social Security and is concerned about the property tax increases. She requested that the Commissioners consider adopting a homestead exemption to help citizens with future increases.
COMMISSION AND STAFF COMMENTS
Brad Deal, County Engineer spoke regarding Old Happy Road. They currently have 62% of the right of way frontage committed. 65% of the property owners have agreed to allow the paving. The County has budgeted $150,000 in the FY 24 budget to pave the road. The road has a priority score of 63 which is one of the highest scores for roads that need to be paved. There are over 70 homes that use Old Happy Road on a daily basis. Due to the maintenance needs are high due to the traffic volume. He recommended reducing the 80% threshold to pave this road. He feels that any road with a priority score higher than 60 with over 60% support for paving should be approved in the future as well.
Of the 33 landowners, 22 have signed the petition in favor of paving. Of the 11 remaining landowners, five have opposed and six have not responded.
Dink Butler, Director of Public Works told the Commissioners that this roads they receive the highest number of complaints and takes a good bit of resources and time to maintain.
APPROVED: A Motion was made to move forward with paving Old Happy Road after discussion by the Commissioners.
Eddie Canon, Bulloch County Recreation and Parks Director announced that the inaugural ice cream and Dairy Celebration for over 400 children who participated in the departments summer camps. They are doing this in partnership with Georgia Farm Bureau. It is being held at the Ag Arena on Tuesday. He also complimented Dairy Queen and Rolling Monkey providing ice cream and Coke for providing drinks. Canon invited all of the Commissioners out to the event.
Venus White, County Clerk reminded the Commissioners about the County employees Back to School Back Pack giveaway which will be held this Friday, July 21 beginning at 9 am at the Annex.
Commissioner Toby Conner shared with the Commission that Georgia Kate's family asked to extend to first responders for all they did to help her in her tragic accident. Her condition remains critical at this time. Georgia Kate was injured in a four wheeler accident several weeks ago and is in Memorial Medical Center's trauma unit in Savannah.
