The 60-day moratorium on datacenter applications passed unanimously with no discussion.
Six citizens were heard against datacenters, and one about conduct unbecoming by the Commissioners.
The Lowndes County Commission also passed everything else unanimously in their Regular Session of August 25, 2026.
Including the four millage rate items. There was a millage presentation, with a promise that it would be on the county website. I don’t see it there yet. If it’s still not there this afternoon, I will post screenshots from the LAKE video.
![[Collage @ LCC Regular 25 August 2026 --LAKE]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2026-08-25--lcc-regular-videos/many.jpg)
Collage @ LCC Regular 25 August 2026 –LAKE
Below are links to videos of each agenda item, with some notes by John S. Quarterman, followed by a LAKE video playlist.
See also the
LAKE videos of the preceding morning’s Work Session
and the
agenda and the board packet,
received in response to a LAKE open records request.
Why the county does not put that packet on its own website continues to be mysterious.
Video:
Video:
Video:
4. Minutes For Approval a. Work Session – August 10, 2026 & Regular Session – August 11, 2026
Video:
Commissioner Michael Smith asked for the presentation to be on the county’s website.
Answer from Finance Director Stephanie Black: it will be.
I don’t find it anywhere on lowndescounty.com.
I will give it until later today, and if it’s still not there, I will post stills from this LAKE video.
Video:
Video:
5.c. Adoption of Special District Millage for the Parks and Recreation Authority
Video:
Video:
5.e. Batch 1 Resurfacing P.I. # 0020532 – Transportation Improvement Act (TIA) Project Agreement
Commissioner Mark Wisenbaker wanted to know how many miles.
Answer from Engineering Services Director Chad McLeod: A little over 52 miles.
Video:
5.f. Twin Lakes Road Paving and Drainage Improvements, P.I. # 0016280 Transportation Investment Act (TIA) Supplemental Agreement No. 1
Commissioner Scottie Orenstein wanted clarification on why the cost difference.
Answer from Engineering Services Director Chad McLeod: Difference between the 2018 estimate and the 2026 costs.
Commissioner Michael Smith wanted to know if the work was already in progress.
Answer: Yes.
Chairman Bill Slaughter added commentary about inflation only setting in at the end of TIA II.
Video:
5.g. 2026 Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Funding Application – Conflict of Interest
Maybe they all have a conflict of interest in using a Community Development Block Grant for Disaster Recovery to pave a road to benefit developers instead of for disaster recovery. -jsq
Video:
5.h. 2026 Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Funding Application – Engineering Selection
The agenda sheet for this agenda item identifies Riverside Road as the sole target of this grant.
Video:
5.i. 2026 Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Funding Application – Submittal Resolution
Commissioner Demarcus Marshall thanked Chad [McLeod, Engineering Services Director],
Chairman Bill Slaughter said he prays the grant will be awarded.
Video:
Chairman Bill Slaughter said County Manager Paige Dukes was out sick.
Video:
Video:
No report because the County Manager was absent due to illness.
Video:
Lowndes County Commission Regular Session 2026-08-25
8. CWTBH: Tatiana Babcock, why welcome an industry whose purpose is to eliminate jobs?
Videos by Gretchen Quarterman for Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange (LAKE).
Video:
Video:
She provided a transcript of her comments:
Thank you for allowing me to speak and please let me apologize in
advance to the people behind me, as public speaking is not my forte.
On August 11th, in this room, Dr. Treva Gear made a comment to the
Commissioners that they, in the process of being elected, were
“married to the people”.
Marriage, as we all know, is only truly successful when built upon a
foundation of mutual trust.
Yet meeting after meeting while we sit in this room being reminded
of the “rules of decorum” we are expected and demanded
to follow, we watch those of you seated before us busy on your
phones texting, answering calls, and who knows whatever else.
You show an open disinterest in what your constituents have come
here to say.
As plainly as I can possibly say it, it’s disrespectful. It’s giving
“rules for thee but not for me”.
There are currently matters of public interest that have large
portions of the public involved and attending these meetings
regularly and some that are here for the first time.
These matters of public interest are discussed even more frequently
on social media where there are no “rules of decorum”.
Everyone is free to weigh in as they see fit which means these
conversations often times become extremely spirited.
I am an admin of one local Facebook group with over 31k members, the
vast majority of whom are Lowndes County residents, business owners,
and taxpayers. Several of you seated before me are members of that
group.
I’m here today to place on the public record comments left by Mark
Wisenbaker in that group.
On the evening of July 28th Commissioner Mark Wisenbaker came on to
Ms. Rachael’s internet to tell me, and I quote, “there will be
another meeting like this one. Get off the couch, show up and see
for yourself. Then maybe, just maybe others will notice you probably
have a brain or part of one!”
It puts in question the validity of our “marriage”.
Let me be clear, that was not the only comment left to constituents
by Mark Wisenbaker that evening, there were at least 4 other
comments, to other constituents, ranging from petty to intimidating.
Those comments have now been spread far and wide thru this community
and beyond. I’ve brought 50 print out copies of all Mark
Wisenbaker’s comments for anyone that hasn’t seen them and would
like to. I’ve also had some turned into vinyl stickers.
Suggesting people should not be asking questions about these
meetings unless they are also “willing” to attend them
in person ignores your disabled constituents who may not be
physically able to attend. It ignores your economically challenged
constituents who may not have transportation to and from these
meetings. It ignores your constituents who work second shift, or
long hours. It ignores our local farmers and farm workers, and a
large number of Lowndes County residents who may otherwise want to
attend these meetings but can’t.
Which then brings forth the question, what happened to the high
priced equipment purchased by the county to live stream these
meetings??
This is unacceptable conduct by Commissioner Mark Wisenbaker who we,
your constituents, expect a higher level of professionalism and
integrity from.
In closing I would like to remind the ENTIRETY of the Board of
Commissioners that WE elected you to sit up there and WE can just as
easily remove you by way of recall. WE expect more and WE deserve
more.
Video:
Video:
Video:
Video:
https://youtu.be/ABly5UU9nq4
https://youtu.be/KN752iYpB6I
https://youtu.be/WS4fMv2f21g
https://youtu.be/9J0R-wW7hO0
https://youtu.be/yxkKAY3MNdk
https://youtu.be/EZsViAwRj5k
https://youtu.be/FFDWpuppJHQ
https://youtu.be/AbKbe1bSZe4
https://youtu.be/S7abjsdOfk4
https://youtu.be/-NDzrH9h-r0
https://youtu.be/vGJTuwHhJTA
https://youtu.be/8ibFdLH6lLs
Paige [Dukes, County Manager], the Chairman, and Commissioners for working up this grant.
He said this road was identified as needy after Hurricane Helene.
He said funeral processions to an African-American cemetery had been delayed.
He didn’t mention any developers wanting to build on that road.
https://youtu.be/JAQUu-PxrQw
With no presentation and no further discussion, the Commissioners approved the 60-day moratorium on datacenter applications unanimously.
A few people started clapping before the Chairman shushed them.
https://youtu.be/4ETkHpJPg2k
https://youtu.be/fBz_FR3KALE?si=vWjqGT7kEjgl0D46
https://youtu.be/nDZMmgWQ8Ro
Datacenter Moratorium, Millage Rates, TIA agreements, CDBG-DR application, LAS Holding Pond Sludge Removal
http://www.l-a-k-e.org/blog/2026/08/videos-datacenter-moratorium-millage-rates-tia-agreements-cdbg-dr-application-las-holding-pond-sludge-removal-lcc-regular-2026-08-25.html
https://youtu.be/Kfn3cJcWwig
href=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYdakG4jIWE&list=PLR6zO-lqnL6s&index=3&pp=iAQBsAgC”>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYdakG4jIWE&list=PLR6zO-lqnL6s&index=3&pp=iAQBsAgC
https://youtu.be/NV7fY3Ot6ow
https://youtu.be/ZSgQI0tsKBI
https://youtu.be/ornJV8MOK5M
https://youtu.be/-WZHOLl2HsQ
Here is the LAKE video playlist:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR6zO-lqnL6s&si=8Fxlp2n9EMalo–V
-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:
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