Commissioners hear achievements made by Extension Office, approve resolution on FY26 budget 

WARNER ROBINS— The Houston County Board of Commissioners heard another update on the UGA Extension Office in Houston County from Coordinator Brandi McGonagill. On the Consumer Sciences side, one of their supervisors won the State EFNEP Supervisor of the Year. 

“EFNEP stands for Expanded Foods and Nutrition Education Program which helps underserved people eat healthy on a budget,” McGonagill said.  

That same supervisor and their EFNEP program assistant both won the Data award. McGonnagil said this award recognized them for their timely reports. 

“I can tell you that it is a federally funded program, so it is very important for them to always have their numbers in on time and be willing to have accountability for where that money is spent,” she said.  “Our [EFNEP program assistant] had the highest number of graduates from the foods and nutrition program from the agencies in Houston County.” 

On the 4-H side, one member of the Extension Office won the Achievement and Service Award. McGonnagill said this award is presented to someone who has worked in the Extension Office for a specified number of years. She also recognized the Extension Office’s 4-H Assistant of the Year. 

“As we all know and you all have seen, the 4-H program in Houston County has grown exponentially,” she said. “ In 2018, there were about 40 kids going to camp, now there are 130 kids in camp next month.” 

McGonagill won the State Equine Programming Award. 

In new business, the Board approved a resolution of the FY26 budget. Chairman Dan Perdue gave a similar presentation about the budget. That information can be found in the article on the June 3, 2025, County Commissioners meeting. 

In short, the General Fund revenue is set at $83,768,500, with 78% of that coming from taxes, primarily property taxes. Perdue said the FY25 General Fund called for $78,500,000. 

Commissioners also approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation for installing roundabout lighting on State Route 11, also known as State Route 49 and State Route 1717, also referred to as Houston Lake Road. 

Commissioner Tal Talton said GDOT will provide the materials and installation, while the county will cover the costs of energy and maintenance for the roundabout lighting. 

“Appreciate Public Works participating with GDOT in [order] to deliver a good, well-lit and well-maintained project to the citizens of Houston County,” Perdue said. 

The Board also approved a few Board appointments. Nash Murph was appointed to the Planning and Zoning Board to serve through June 30, 2025, and through June 29, 2029. Sheriff Matt Moulton and Stacy Maine were appointed to the Middle Flint Behavioral Health Board to serve from Sept. 14, 2025, through Sept. 14, 2028. Commissioner Gail Robinson was reappointed to serve as the Board Chair of the Community Service Board. 

“None of these are paid positions, so it’s valuable to have good folks serving,” Perdue said. 

During the public comment period, Jacqueline Rozier provided comments on the recent Voting Rights Act lawsuit, which had since been dismissed. 

“In previous forums, I have expressed that despite our qualifications, credentials, military service and family ties to Houston County, our vote are diluted because people of color do not and still do not have the opportunity to elect candidates of choice because of the at-large vote for all Houston County Board of Commissioners positions,” she said. “This body has not had any black or minority representation for over 30 years.” 

Rozier said she conducted research on other Boards of Commissioners throughout the State of Georgia. She found that at-large voting is widely used in the state. 

“It’s complex and is argued to disadvantage minority voting power compared to distributed or mixed systems. Mixed systems is when a majority of Commissioners are elected by district while the commission chair is elected at-large because that position represents the entire county,” she said. 

Rozier pointed out Fayette and Jackson counties used this mixed system. 

“I assume those counties choose to use the mixed system voluntarily because they determined it was the best option for proper representation of its people,” she said. 

The next Houston County Commissioner meeting will be held on July 8, at 9 a.m., at the Houston County Courthouse in Perry.