Commissioners approve several measures at meeting

HOUSTON COUNTY, Ga. — Lots of new vehicles were bought and lots of first hearings were heard during the meeting, on Sept. 5, where the Houston County Commissioners met.

The meeting began with the invocation and pledge of allegiance led by Commissioner Tal Talton then guest speaker, Captain Jesse Stokes, began speaking about his military career.

Stokes is the Operations Officer for the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Aviation, and has served in various locales of Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He has a wife of 18 years who he’s had three children with.

“DLA Aviation supports more than 13,500 joint aircraft and a host of other weapon systems,” said Stokes before further explaining, “Battles are fought and decided before the first shot ever begins by logistics.”

After Stokes thanked the Commissioners, the Commissioners did the same, before taking a picture together giving Stokes a parting gift.

“General Patton said, ‘No army is better than its soldiers,’ and every month we get fine folks like you coming in here and expressing what you’re doing, and you give us and the audience every bit of confidence to know we can put our heads down in our pillows and rest peacefully at night,” commented Commissioner Shane Gottwals.

After, the Commissioners approved the minutes for their regular meeting and two Special Called Meetings that occurred on Aug. 15, 2023. Then they moved on to new business, making several approvals:

– Special exception applications for bookkeeping, baking and candy, clothing and other businesses. As always, any decision by the Commissioners cannot supersede that of a neighborhood potentially having a restrictive covenant prohibiting businesses in that area.

– A WCH Homes rezoning application from R-AG to R-1.

– A deannexation of property located at 120 Sparrow Street from City of Perry R-AG to County R-AG.

– Issuance of $35,000 from ARPA to Rebuilding Together Warner Robins.

“It’ll go a long way in supporting low-income homeowners with critical emergency repair,” said Joanne Alford-Robinette of Rebuilding Together Warner Robins.

– A service agreement between the Accounting Department and Davenport Public Finance to streamline “The process of seeking banking service providers,” said Commissioner Mark Byrd. The service is to not exceed $25,000 and will have a timeline of three months.

– Approval of a contract with Tyler Technologies, the largest provider of Government Financial Accounting Software, to upgrade the County’s Financial Management Software. The approximate implementation fee is $347,253 and annual maintenance will be $216,990.

– Bid approved from the Public Works Department to Roper Laser Company Inc. for a GPS Guided Machine Control System for the Landfill costing $158,305.40. This is being paid for with Landfill funds.

“This will essentially allow us to ensure that we’re getting even and good compaction of trash at the landfill … other landfills have used this software and these systems to achieve as much as a 40% increase in density,” said Chairman Dan Perdue.

– A final adjusting change order from the Public Works Department Houston Lake Remote Well 16” Raw Water Main Extension Project, reducing the amount from $988,979.30 to $946,824.30.

– Houston Asphalt Paving was awarded the contract to the Spot Overlay Road Repair Project in the amount of $130,395.50 funded by the 2012 SPLOST.

– Purchasing of five 2023 Ford F-150 Crew Cab Trucks from Jeff Smith Chrysler Dodge Jeep for $230,000. This comes eight months after placing an order to Phil Brannon Ford on these five trucks and still not receiving a production date. This is funded by the 2018 SPLOST.

– A bid to Phil Brannon Ford for ten new 2023 Ford Explorer PPVs to be used by the Patrol Division of the Sheriff’s Department was approved. This will total $475,000 and is funded by the 2018 SPLOST.

– Purchase by the Narcotics division of the Sheriff’s Department for one 2023 Chevrolet Traverse from Five Star Chevrolet. It will cost $41,590 and is funded by the 2018 SPLOST.

– Approval of bills totaling $6,706,715.25. The largest portion of the bills are made up by the General Fund ($2,345,272.95), 2018 SPLOST Fund ($1,587,716.12) and American Rescue Plan Act ($1,193,635.00).

In addition, the Commissioners had several first readings, one being on a new Alcohol License for Saira LLC. Only after the second meeting and public hearing on Sept. 19 can a decision be made.

There was also the first reading on a proposed amendment to the Houston County Code of Ordinances.

“What it does, it bring the terms of the members of the development authority into line with the state code. And so those will be moving from six-year terms to four-year terms. This will not affect any current terms,” said Attorney Tom Hall.

Next was the first reading of another proposed amendment to the County Code of Ordinances. It would add a paragraph indicating that on a county road system project that costs less than $200,000 the party conducting the project would not have to go through a formal bid process.

Lastly was the first reading for a proposed amendment to the Regulations for Access Management and Encroachment Control. There was an amendment approved on Dec. 17, 2019, that said,” A commercial driveway will not be permitted on a county road determined to be used primarily for residential purposes,” said Hall. What this proposed amendment will do is make an exception for properties that were zoned commercial prior to the adoption of the 2019 amendment.

A request for approval of a quote to complete the installation of the VOIP phone system in Houston County was tabled to review the contract more.

Then the commissioners opened the floor for public comments where Adam Watson took the podium. He began by requesting the commissioners to remind their workers that they cannot threaten people “coming in with sending police on them because they’re asking questions for information that your policy state,” said Watson recounting two occasions workers have done that to him.

Next, he requested a meeting with Perdue, Commissioner Tal Talton and Court Attorney Hall to discuss County Ordinances and how they affect his request for building inspection.

Next to the podium was Meg Mehserle. The concerned citizen spoke about election integrity, first stating in her eyes an exciting piece of news that Spalding County will be hand counting their paper ballots. She hopes that Houston County will also take up hand counting paper ballots in the future.

Lastly, Sara Paulk, Director of Houston County Public Library System invited the Commission to attend a story hour program on Sep. 14 at 10:15 a.m.

“It will be kicking off a 1,000 books before kindergarten program… The idea is to, for parents and caregivers to read a thousand books to their children before they enter the age of kindergarten,” said Paulk. Also, she talked about the various services the library provides such as checking out books, audio books, DVDs, notary services, proctoring and more which have provided services in the value of $8,000,000 last year.

After the commissioner comments the meeting was adjourned. All past and future meetings as well as available meeting minutes and agendas can be found on houstoncountyga.org.

HHJ News