The Lowndes County Commissioners discussed much more than usual, making yesterday morning’s Work Session 44 minutes long.

Collage @ LCC Work Session 21 July 2025

They vote today at 5:30 PM, which is about now.

Yesterday, the County Attorney weighed in on both the board appointment items.

The Comprehensive Plan update won’t change the Service Delivery Strategy (SDS) that the county and the five cities agreed would last for ten years.

Both of the Juvenile Justice grant items lasted more than 9 minutes.

The longest item was not on the agenda: a report by Jeff Lovell on well issues and river water infiltration.

And we got a clue where the Blue Lake Lift Station is: near I-75 Exit 13.

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 agenda and the board packet, received in response to a LAKE open records request.

• 1. Call to Order 4. MInutes for Approval
  

  Video:
  https://youtu.be/b40dtGReYgI

  Lowndes County Board of Commissioners (LCC) Work Session – 2025-07-21

  Videos by Gretchen for Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange (LAKE).
  http://www.l-a-k-e.org/blog/2025/07/videos-appointments-to-2-boards-2-law-grants-2-lift-station-items-1-comp-plan-contract-lcc-work-2025-07-21.html

• 5.a. Lowndes County Development Authority
  

  Video:
  https://youtu.be/DtooHxtdi5k

  Actual discussion about what the Lowndes County Development Authority (different from the Industrial Authority) does and how often they meet.

  
  

• 5.b. Lowndes County Public Facilities Authority
  

  Video:
  https://youtu.be/nzooET7XNeI

  Similar discussion about the Lowndes County Public Facilities Authority. Basically a way to authorize bonds if needed.

  
  

• 6.a. 2026 Comprehensive Plan Technical Assistance Contract
  

  Video:
  https://youtu.be/XlVgCxKuM7c

  County is hiring the SGRC to assist with the comprehensive plan update. James Horton is scheduled to lead a meeting on August 16th.

  
  

• 6.b. FY 2026 Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Grant Application
  

  Video:
  https://youtu.be/s-MnbXCtqg4

  Questions about how many families are served and if future funding will still be available.

  
  

• 6.c. Acceptance of FY2026 Juvenile Justice Incentive Grant Award
  

  Video:
  https://youtu.be/mUEl2FiPR6k

  Similar questions about funding and number of individuals / families served.

  
  

• 6.d. Blue Lake Lift Station Pump Repair
  

  Video:
  https://youtu.be/jxE1L6ihFLM

  Where is Blue Lake Lift Station? Near exit 13.

  
  

• 6.e. Blue Lake Lift Station Control Panel
  

  Video:
  https://youtu.be/yw9BBAZ9Dpg

  This was damaged in Hurricane Helene and should be covered by insurance.

  
  

• 7. Reports – County Manager – Introduction of Jeff Lovell
  

  Video:
  https://youtu.be/ben6v3AEbLw

  County Manager Dukes gave a brief introduction to some of the water issues that have been occurring in the north west part of the county (Stone Creek, etal.)

  
  

• 7. Jeff Lovell on the well issues and infiltration in Reports
  

  Video:
  https://youtu.be/GhuxCRdkJ6Y

  Jeff Lovell (contractor hired by the county) gave an over view of the water issues and problems with the well at Stone Creek. Draw down of the aquifer and need for deeper wells, along with river water infiltration are issues.

  
  

• 7. More Reports – they weren’t quite done discussing yet.
  

  Video:
  https://youtu.be/yivC_X2JdGY

  
  

• 9. Adjournment
  

  Video:
  https://youtu.be/Q5F_hb0S7Fs

  
  

Here is the LAKE video playlist:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLshUv86fYkiGaAvXsmzhpNSY7Tk3T10CI&si=jYC18YoWnDdGV1cR

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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

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