No rezonings: Moody AFB, Courts, DA, Safety, Road, Nelson Hill Lift State @ LCC 2022-01-24

Update 2022-01-24: Board packet and Why should Lowndes County spend half a million dollars to subsidize a developer? 2022-01-24

The neverending Miller Bridge Road subdivision is not in this Lowndes County Commission agenda for Monday and Tuesday. For that, see the Planning Commission agenda for January 31, 2022.

But the County Commission agenda does contain two examples of how taxpayers are subsidizing development in Lowndes Counta. The $45,742.00 for the 5.d. Nelson Hill Lift Station Pump Upgrade is “Due to growth in the area”: growth the county is actively promoting.

The $568,971.00 for 5.k. Property Purchase – Building Valdosta, LLC is a markup of $323,971 over the price that property sold for last year, supposedly to protect Moody AFB, even though how is not said and it’s 2.4 miles away.

[Agenda, Nelson Hill Lift Station]
Agenda, Nelson Hill Lift Station

Cost What
$568,971.00 Property Purchase – Building Valdosta, LLC
$45,742.00Nelson Hill Lift Station Pump Upgrade
$16,496.88 AT&T Switched Ethernet Circuit Continuation of Service
$631,209.88Total

Nelson Hill Sewer Lift Station

On the one hand, I commend Lowndes County Utilities for staying ahead of sewer system demand and thus preventing sewage spills. On the other hand, look at why the agenda sheet says:

HISTORY, FACTS AND ISSUES: Due to growth in the area, the pumps in the Nelson Hill lift station are at capacity and need to be upsized to handle the flow. To meet the expected capacity, the existing 10hp pumps will be changed to 25hp pumps. Xylem has provided a quote for $45,742.00 for the two new pumps. Staff recommends approval to purchase two 25hp pumps for the Nelson Hill lift station.

That would be the growth in the area up Val Del Road that the county is actively promoting, for example by its recent approval of a subdivision way up north almost to GA 122, far outside of any appropriate Character Zone in the Comprehensive Plan.

In Florida, developers have to pay impact fees for services like that. In Lowndes County, you the taxpayers pick up the tab.

[Nelson Hill Lift Station in Google Street View]
Nelson Hill Lift Station in Google Street View

Building Valdosta LLC and Moody AFB

This one is less obvious but much more expensive. Who does it profit? And how does it protect Moody AFB?

The agenda sheet says:

HISTORY, FACTS AND ISSUES: At the direction of the Commission, staff has worked with the County Attorney to prepare a purchase agreement that will provide for Lowndes County to purchase 41.543 acres of property on Highway 122 inclusive of development costs incurred by the current owners and as reflected in the agreement, for the purpose of protecting Moody Air Force Base from encroachment.

It doesn’t say where that 41.543 acres is. But the Lowndes County Tax Assessors online web pages and map find it as 7404 E HWY 122, 2.4 miles north of Moody AFB.

[Building Valdosta LLC, 7404 E HWY 122, 41.54 acres]
Building Valdosta LLC, 7404 E HWY 122, 41.54 acres, in Lowndes County Tax Assessors Map.

As you can see, the assessed value is $170,806. That’s close to the $173,000 Rodney Cain paid for it May 18, 2018.

He sold it for $245,000 on January 14, 2021, to Building Valdosta LLC.

And now the county proposes to buy it for $568,971.00.

FYI, Rodney Cain is the Lowndes County Tax Commissioner (not Assessor). He already got 41% profit off that parcel.

Now the county proposes to pay another 132% markup.

To whom? According to the Georgia Secretary of State, Building Valdosta LLC was originally formed in 2015, but administratively dissovled September 7, 2018.

Then it was reinstated January 17, 2019, with a curious notarized addendum saying:

I, Clint Joyner, certify that I was a member of Building Valdosta, LLC at the time it was administratively dissolved. I have knowledge of and do hereby assent to the application for resintatement.

[signed]
Clint Joyner

Sworn to and subscribed before me
this 25th of January 2019.

[Notary signature and seal.]

That statement does not say whether or not he’s still involved in the reinstated LLC. The Registered Agent is Jack Langdale with his office address as Principal Office, as is the case with many LLCs.

The 2020 annual filing lists Eric M. Tillman as the authorized person.

The 2021 and 2022 annual filings list Clint Joyner as the authorized person.

So, which of these people stand to gain $323,971 markup from the county’s purchase of this property?

And what do they plan to use the property for? Whatever it is, how does it help protect Moody AFB?

Agenda

On lowndescounty.com and PDF.

LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROPOSED AGENDA
WORK SESSION, MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 2022, 8:30 a.m.
REGULAR SESSION, TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2022, 5:30 p.m.
327 N. Ashley Street – 2nd Floor

  1. Call to Order
  2. Invocation
  3. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
  4. Minutes for Approval
    1. Work Session – December 13, 2021 & Regular Session – December 14, 2021
  5. For Consideration
    1. Set Qualifying Fees

      Documents:Set Qualifying Fees.pdf

    2. Office of the Governor Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Accountability Court Lowndes County DUI Court – Law Enforcement Subgrant– State Court

      Documents:CJCC Accountability Court Lowndes County DUI Court Law Enforcement Subgrant State Court.pdf

    3. Office of the Governor Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Accountability Court Lowndes County DUI Court – Enhancement and Innovation Subgrant Award – State Court

      Documents:Enhancement and Innovation Subgrant Award State Court.pdf

    4. Nelson Hill Lift Station Pump Upgrade

      Documents:Nelson Hill Lift Station Pump Upgrade.pdf

    5. Approval of DA’s Federal VOCA/CESF Grant Application Renewal

      Documents:Approval of DA Federal VOCA CESF Grant Application Renewal.pdf

    6. Special Assessment Rate for 2022

      Documents:Special Assessment Rate for 2022.pdf

    7. AT&T Switched Ethernet Circuit Continuation of Service

      Documents:ATT Switched Ethernet Circuit Continuation of Service.pdf

    8. GDOT Safety Action Program Loch Laurel Road Project

      Documents:GDOT Safety Action Program Loch Laurel Road Project.pdf

    9. FY 2023 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Application

      Documents:FY 2023 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Application.pdf

    10. Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority Sales Tax Exemption

      Documents:Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority Sales Tax Exemption.pdf

    11. Property Purchase – Building Valdosta, LLC

      Documents:Property Purchase.pdf

  6. Reports – County Manager
  7. Citizens Wishing to be Heard-Please State Your Name and Address
  8. Adjournment

Copies of the agenda sheets are on the LAKE website.

Despite more than three days having elapsed since the LAKE GORA request, Lowndes County has still not supplied the board packet.

-jsq

Investigative reporting costs money, for open records requests, copying, web hosting, gasoline, and cameras, and with sufficient funds we can pay students to do further research. You can donate to LAKE today!

4 thoughts on “No rezonings: Moody AFB, Courts, DA, Safety, Road, Nelson Hill Lift State @ LCC 2022-01-24”

  1. Connie Lynn

    This is our crooked government at work. Crooked real estate deals. A crooked county commissioner, a tax commissioner that needs to go. Back door deal baiting. Ridiculous county purchases that do nothing. It’s getting worse. Are any lawyers reading this? We need your help.

  2. Pingback: Why should Lowndes County spend half a million dollars to subsidize a developer? 2022-01-24 | On the LAKE front

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