On Tuesday, January 4, the Houston County Commissioners came together to hold the first meeting of the new year. After a brief invocation led by Chairman Tommy Stalnaker, and Pledge of Allegiance led by Lieutenant Colonel William St. Clair of the Air National Guard, Stalnaker called the meeting to order.
There were several items of new business at Tuesday’s meeting, but the most heavily discussed item was in regard to an intergovernmental agreement between the City of Perry, the Development Authority of Houston County and the Houston County Government.
If approved, this agreement would allow the City of Perry to acquire land owned by the county in order to begin construction of a new wastewater treatment facility. According to the contract attached to the commissioners’ agenda, Houston County will provide approximately 80 acres of land to the City of Perry at no cost, and after the facility’s construction, the wastewater treatment plant will be used to treat both the city’s and the county’s water. The City of Perry has seven years to complete construction of the facility. If construction is not completed within seven years, the property will be returned to the county.
“This is a process that has been ongoing for several months now,” Stalnaker said. “The City of Perry has been in need of a location for an additional wastewater treatment plant, and this is one of the areas that would be conducive for this plant, due to Big Indian Creek and Mossy Creek being at the fork of where this property is at.” Stalnaker explained that the creeks are required for discharge. “It’s a win-win for the City of Perry, with the property and having the location to expand the wastewater treatment for the City of Perry, it’s a win for Houston County in the industrial development department, and for the authority, having the ability to market that property and have sanitary sewer on that property going forward. “
Stalnaker thanked Mayor Randall Walker for his help in negotiating the terms of this agreement, as well both parties’ respective attorneys. Each of the commissioners took a moment to comment on the advantages and growth that this agreement will bring. In a unanimous vote, the Houston County Commissioners approved the intergovernmental agreement.
In addition to this major item, the commissioners also approved board reappointments to the Library Board, set qualifying fees for the 2022 elections, approved a price increase for a vehicle purchase, paid the bills, concurred with a annexation request for HWB Properties LLC and approved the extension of bonds with Southfield Plantation.
At the top of the meeting, the commissioners also took a moment to recognize the life and work of a Mr. Murray Griffin, a senior consultant with Atlantic Coast Consulting. The commissioners thanked him for his time assisting not only Houston County, but also the State of Georgia as a whole. Griffin was presented with some small tokens of gratitude and a plaque recognizing his service.
During his comment period, Stalnaker made note that there were several projects set to complete or begin in the upcoming year, including several road widenings and extensions, new county buildings, public safety improvements, utility improvements and economic development. As these projects come to fruition, you’ll read about them in The Houston Home Journal.
After some brief comments from the remainder of the board, the meeting was brought adjournment.
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