Videos: Hurricane Recovery, Library Board, Courts, Insurance, Animal Services, Loan to Valdosta Housing Authority @ LCC Regular 2025-06-24

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Hurricane preparedness and recovery took most up of the 22-minute Regular Session of the Lowndes County Commission Tuesday.

[Collage @ LCC 24 June 2025]
Collage @ LCC 24 June 2025

The Commissioners appointed Sam Clemons to the Lowndes County Library Board. Monday morning at the Work Session, Malcom Warren was the only applicant, but he was not even nominated at the Regular Session.

They approved everything else unanimously, with little discussion.

They did talk about body cameras in 7.c. Axon Renewal Contract for Animal Services. Apparently they’re used to de-escalate tense confrontations, when people see the camera.

County Manager Paige Dukes in her Reports discussed the confusion over tax assessment notices. The Tax Assessors staff sent out what the state required, which did not include the millages for Parks and Rec., Industrial Authority, or Fire. Thus people may have thought their tax bills would be significantly lower than they actually will be. She was alerted to this when the Chief Appraiser pointed out that there were not many appeals to property valuations.

Apparently sending out a revised letter including the millage would not be allowed by state law, but they can send out an additional letter noting the discrepency. I think that’s what she said they are going to do. Or maybe it was to send a letter omitting all mention of millage. Wasn’t clear to me.

And of course, the county’s opt-out from the state homestead exemption won’t take effect until the citizens vote it in, in November I think. Chairman Bill Slaughter noted that the county has better homestead exemptions. People have to apply for the exemptions, because the assessors don’t know ages of the taxpayers.

Meghan Barwick was to host a PIO meeting Friday (today) about how to talk about storm season now that we’re in it.

EMA Director Ashley Tye gave a long presentation on Long Term Recovery from hurricanes and other disasters. This includes asking those who need help how much their insurance covers and finding out what else can be handled by FEMA or whoever.

There were no Citizens Wishing to be Heard, so they adjourned the meeting, after 22 and a half minutes.

Commissioner Joyce Evans was absent.

On Thursday (now yesterday), EMA Director Ashley Tye was to go to Atlanta to pick up two reimbursement checks, one for Hurricane Idalia and another for Hurricane Helene, for a total of $4.7 million. I’m guessing that’s state funds. XXX

Below are links to each LAKE video of each agenda item, with a few notes by Gretchen Quarterman, followed by a LAKE video playlist.

See also the LAKE videos of the previous morning’s Work Session and the agenda and the board packet, received in response to a LAKE open records request.

Here is the LAKE video playlist:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLshUv86fYkiEYrTvrCWJsu4Ia0qeY_LfS&si=zW3cDNzLV5NB59Ag

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