Only two voting Commissioners were present: Demarcus Marshall and Michael Smith.
Commissioner Scottie Orenstein rushed in to complete a quorum of the Lowndes County Commission.
Commissioners Joyce Evans and Mark Wisenbaker were absent.
Apparently there was an agenda, although it is not on the county’s website.
At the end Chairman Bill Slaughter mentioned they would set the millage once they got the tax digest.
This meeting took four and a half minutes, even counting the minute saying they would recess until there was a quorum, and the 45 seconds of Chairman’s comments at the end thanking Finance Director Stephanie Black.
It is still mysterious why they couldn’t schedule this vote to be during their Regular Session last week, and why they only announce this Monday morning meeting Friday afternoon.
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 Public Notice and the LAKE videos of Public Hearing and the presentation slides.
-
1. Call to Order. Recess because there was not a quorum
Video:
https://youtu.be/nHsr8HDpROsLowndes County Board of Commissioners – Special Called Session – 2025-06-30
Videos by Gretchen Quarterman for Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange (LAKE).
-
2. Consideration of FY 2026 budget (after meeting was reconvened)
Video:
https://youtu.be/_CogA8aDnI4After a 16 minute recess, a quorum was established (3 commissioners).
The FY 26 budget was approved as presented. -
3. Hotel Motel Tax and Tourism Budget
Video:
https://youtu.be/XdJZDpQaGGgThe Hotel /Motel tax and tourism budget was approved.
-
4. Other Comments and Meeting Adjournment
Video:
https://youtu.be/wBleUbcYeOoThere was an agenda in the chambers, but on on the web site, so I improvised the names of the items.
Minus the recess, the meeting took 5 minutes.
Here is the LAKE video playlist:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLshUv86fYkiFnyAkZiavmz_nNpWoTQ137&si=rjbaS-fMbBeuwwO5
-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!
http://www.l-a-k-e.org/blog/donate
Short Link: