WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — On Tuesday, May 17, Houston County’s Board of Commissioners gathered in their usual Warner Robins chambers to hold their second and final meeting of the month.
The meeting began with a presentation from Evelyn Day, a senior in high school and avid 4-H Club member. She spoke on how 4-H has helped her find passions and hobbies.
Houston County 4-H Agent Sam Price introduced Day and explained that she was here because of something called “Project Achievement,” a 4-H initiative that works to inspire fourth through twelfth graders to speak publicly. Day has been speaking publicly for eight years — she started Project Achievement in just the fourth grade.
Day has competed in the local 4-H district and overcome speakers from 41 counties, now competing on the state level against seven other speakers.
While she spoke, Day explained that because of 4-H, she has been able to explore her passions and hobbies. Among several other things, she has even joined FEMA’s Youth Preparedness Council, working to reunite family pets that had been abandoned or lost during natural disasters.
“That was all due to my 4-H involvement,” Day said. “Since serving on the council, I’ve had the opportunity to work with FEMA and my fellow 4-Hers to help families with pets that arrive at our evacuation sites. Because of this, my hope is that there will be a reduction in displaced animals when the next disaster hits.”
Day closed in saying: “Your 4-H story may include training horses, playing chess, gardening, cooking, or even singing — the possibilities are endless, because 4-H encourages our hobbies and passions to inspire us to be future leaders.”
As her speech ended, Day was met with rounds of applause from her audience and the Board of Commissioners.
Chairman Tommy Stalnaker commented on Day’s skill as a speaker.
“You’re a pro,” Stalnaker said. “You did a fantastic job standing in front of a group of people you’re not around most of the time — your delivery and all, you did great. We wish you the best of luck.”
Each of the commissioners took a moment to congratulate Day on a job well done.
Moving into their regular meeting, the commissioners began discussing new business.
Houston County’s ongoing State Court Expansion and Restroom Renovation projects continue to make headway as items regarding each projects’ continued growth received approval.
A change order approved by the commissioners allow ICB to renovate the remaining restrooms at the Probate Court, and another change order added a landscape and hardscape package to the State Court Expansion. Commissioners also approved the purchase of furniture for the State Court Expansion project.
The Commissioners also went over a potential rise in solid waste collection rates.
According to the proposed item’s documentation, Solid Waste Collection would rise from its current $13 to $14 per month, effective August 2022. Staff also recommended an annual $1 per month increase beginning on April 1 of 2023 for the duration of the county’s current solid waste collection contract.
Commissioner Mark Byrd moved for this item to be tabled “to allow for time for additional information to be considered.” This motion was approved.
A number of personnel requests made by the county’s court system were also approved.
Public Defender Claudia Meier requested that David Jennings be hired to fill the vacant assistant public defender position, and Judge Angela Sammons requested that Lisa Williams be hired as a Magistrate Court Judge. Both were hired, effective May 18. Additionally, an agreement was approved by the commissioners, naming Judge Robert E. Turner as senior magistrate, working under Chief Magistrate Sammons.
After working their way through new business, the Board of Commissioners moved on to allow time for public comment, then went on to make comments themselves. Following brief statements from each of the commissioners, the meeting was adjourned.
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