Category Archives: Law

Videos: DFACS, DUI, Accountability, Juveniles, Camelot Crossing Infrastructure, Email Software, Alcohol Ordinance @ LCC Work 2026-06-22

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They asked a few questions about the three court grant cash match items, the Lowndes County Commission in their 14-minute Monday morning Work Session, June 22, 2026.

Regarding the Alcoholic Beverage Ordinance, Gretchen Quarterman wondered, “I would have thought that the commission might want to have a public hearing on an issue like this to hear from both liquor store owners and churches and schools.”

[14-minute Lowndes County Commission Work Session, 2026-06-22 --LAKE videos]
14-minute Lowndes County Commission Work Session, 2026-06-22 –LAKE videos

Here is a LAKE video playlist.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLshUv86fYkiHj9P_d0XwfATVAWOI3xNiy&si=vDsQm_cdRJcXLBfq Continue reading →

Packet: DFACS, DUI, Accountability, Juveniles, Camelot Crossing Infrastructure, Email Software, Alcohol Ordinance @ LCC 2026-06-22

1 Reply

Update 2026-06-24: Videos: DFACS, DUI, Accountability, Juveniles, Camelot Crossing Infrastructure, Email Software, Alcohol Ordinance @ LCC Work 2026-06-22.

You can now see the proposed Alcoholic Beverage Ordinance the Lowndes County Commission intends to adopt this evening at 5:30 PM, and something about the infrastructure they intend to approve for the Camelot Crossing Commercial Development.

You can speak about pretty much anything, including datacenters, in Citizens Wishing to Be Heard.

Don’t forget the 5:00 PM Budget Public Hearing.

[Packet: DFACS reappointment, DUI, Accountability, Juveniles, Camelot Crossing, Email Software, Alcohol Ordinance @ LCC 2026-06-22]
Packet: DFACS reappointment, DUI, Accountability, Juveniles, Camelot Crossing, Email Software, Alcohol Ordinance @ LCC 2026-06-22

Raymond Conner wants to be reappointed to the Lowndes County Division of Family and Children Services (LCDFCS).

Three court grants require county matches, plus Microsoft has left little option but for shifting to Microsoft Exchange Online.

Cost What
$42,404.00Lowndes County DUI Court FY 27 Grant Award
$32,459.00Lowndes County Accountability Court Grant Approval and Cash Match
$31,886.40Email Software License
$12,773.00Lowndes County Juvenile Accountability Court Grant Approval and Cash Match
$119,522.40Total

This Monday after 4 PM the county satisfied the LAKE open records request of last Tuesday. The resulting board packet and minutes from the previous Commission meetings are on the LAKE website. Images of each page are below.

See also the agenda.

LAKE videos of the Monday morning Work Session at 8:30 AM and the Budget Hearing at 9:00 AM are forthcoming.

-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

[PROPOSED AGENDA]
PROPOSED AGENDA
PDF

Lowndes County Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) Board

[Raymond Conner wants to be reappointed.]
Raymond Conner wants to be reappointed.
PDF

Lowndes County DUI Court FY 27 Grant Award

[BUDGET IMPACT: $42,404.00 (X) Annual]
BUDGET IMPACT: $42,404.00 (X) Annual
PDF

Lowndes County Accountability Court Grant Approval and Cash Match

[BUDGET IMPACT: $32,459.00 (X) N/A]
BUDGET IMPACT: $32,459.00 (X) N/A
PDF

Lowndes County Juvenile Accountability Court Grant Approval and Cash Match

[BUDGET IMPACT: $12,773.00 FUNDING SOURCE: (x) N/A (.)]
BUDGET IMPACT: $12,773.00 FUNDING SOURCE: (x) N/A (.)
PDF

Acceptance of Infrastructure for Camelot Crossing Commercial Development

[Camelot Crossing Commercial Development is located off of North Valdosta Road at the end of the existing Camelot Crossing Road. There are a total of three (3) roads that are shown]
Camelot Crossing Commercial Development is located off of North Valdosta Road at the end of the existing Camelot Crossing Road. There are a total of three (3) roads that are shown
PDF

Email Software License

[BUDGET IMPACT: $31,886.40 Current email platform end-of-life; migrating to Microsoft Exchange Online]
BUDGET IMPACT: $31,886.40 Current email platform end-of-life; migrating to Microsoft Exchange Online
PDF

[Program Signature Form]
Program Signature Form
PDF

[Signature]
Signature
PDF

[This Microsoft Enterprise Enrollment is entered into between the entities as identified in the signature form]
This Microsoft Enterprise Enrollment is entered into between the entities as identified in the signature form
PDF

[“Reserved License” means for an Online Service identified as eligible for true-ups in the Product Terms,]
“Reserved License” means for an Online Service identified as eligible for true-ups in the Product Terms,
PDF

[eligible for funding and services from the U.S. Department of Interior by virtue of its status as an Indian]
eligible for funding and services from the U.S. Department of Interior by virtue of its status as an Indian
PDF

[prior to use, unless the Online Services are (1) identified as eligible for true-up in the]
prior to use, unless the Online Services are (1) identified as eligible for true-up in the
PDF

[h. Step-up Licenses. For Licenses eligible for a step-up under this Enrollment, Enrolled Affiliate]
h. Step-up Licenses. For Licenses eligible for a step-up under this Enrollment, Enrolled Affiliate
PDF

[(ii) Online Services eligible for an Extended Term. For Online Services identified as eligible]
(ii) Online Services eligible for an Extended Term. For Online Services identified as eligible
PDF

[Community Cloud Services without notice. Enrolled Affiliate acknowledges that only]
Community Cloud Services without notice. Enrolled Affiliate acknowledges that only
PDF

[the largest number of Affiliates:]
the largest number of Affiliates:
PDF

[Work or School (WSA) Account ID]
Work or School (WSA) Account ID
PDF

[Signature]
Signature
PDF

[Page 31]
Page 31
PDF

[Note 2: In the following countries, any direct Enrollment consisting of only Enterprise Online Services will not be eligible for the Renewal option described in Section]
Note 2: In the following countries, any direct Enrollment consisting of only Enterprise Online Services will not be eligible for the Renewal option described in Section
PDF

[2. Section 2a of the Enrollment titled “Order Requirements”, is]
2. Section 2a of the Enrollment titled “Order Requirements”, is
PDF

[Page 34]
Page 34
PDF

2026 Lowndes County Alcoholic Beverage Ordinance

[Section 4-3(b) of the Ordinance is revised to increase the distance provisions for the sale of distilled spirits. Article XIII is added. It regards the applicability of the amended provisions of Section 4-3(b).]
Section 4-3(b) of the Ordinance is revised to increase the distance provisions for the sale of distilled spirits. Article XIII is added. It regards the applicability of the amended provisions of Section 4-3(b).
PDF

[A Resolution Adopting 2026 Lowndes County Alcoholic Beverage Ordinance]
A Resolution Adopting 2026 Lowndes County Alcoholic Beverage Ordinance
PDF

[2026 Lowndes County Alcoholic Beverage Ordinance]
2026 Lowndes County Alcoholic Beverage Ordinance
PDF

[Section 2-3. State License Required.]
Section 2-3. State License Required.
PDF

[tax pursuant to the provisions of subsections (c), (d), or (e) of 26 U.S.C. Section 501.]
tax pursuant to the provisions of subsections (c), (d), or (e) of 26 U.S.C. Section 501.
PDF

[Noise Ordinance shall mean the County’s Ordinance to Regulate Noise in Residential Areas adopted]
Noise Ordinance shall mean the County’s Ordinance to Regulate Noise in Residential Areas adopted
PDF

[Section 3-2. References to Sections, etc.]
Section 3-2. References to Sections, etc.
PDF

[of distilled spirits within six hundred (600) feet, of any church building. No license shall be granted]
of distilled spirits within six hundred (600) feet, of any church building. No license shall be granted
PDF

[natural person, the name of the individual or agent who shall be held responsible for compliance]
natural person, the name of the individual or agent who shall be held responsible for compliance
PDF

[operate a business or enterprise at the property on which the establishment is to be located involving]
operate a business or enterprise at the property on which the establishment is to be located involving
PDF

[(0) Prior to issuance or renewal of any license, event permit (pursuant to Section 7-2),]
(0) Prior to issuance or renewal of any license, event permit (pursuant to Section 7-2),
PDF

[Section 4-6. Publication of Notice.]
Section 4-6. Publication of Notice.
PDF

[Section 4-8. License Duration; License Fee Proration; When Fee is Due.]
Section 4-8. License Duration; License Fee Proration; When Fee is Due.
PDF

[outlined in Section 4-10(a), the Board shall serve notice upon licensee, by registered or certified]
outlined in Section 4-10(a), the Board shall serve notice upon licensee, by registered or certified
PDF

[Section 4-11. Return of License Fee.]
Section 4-11. Return of License Fee.
PDF

[Section 5-2. Unbroken Packages to be Sold.]
Section 5-2. Unbroken Packages to be Sold.
PDF

[Section 6-1. License Required.]
Section 6-1. License Required.
PDF

[Section 7-1. Alcoholic Beverage Catering License.]
Section 7-1. Alcoholic Beverage Catering License.
PDF

[Section 7-3. Restrictions.]
Section 7-3. Restrictions.
PDF

[Revenue permit. Letters of authorization required by this Section shall be issued on behalf of the]
Revenue permit. Letters of authorization required by this Section shall be issued on behalf of the
PDF

[which derives at such establishment at least 50 percent of its total annual gross sales from the sale]
which derives at such establishment at least 50 percent of its total annual gross sales from the sale
PDF

[Section 9-2. Sales During Elections.]
Section 9-2. Sales During Elections.
PDF

[Section 10-1. Prohibition.]
Section 10-1. Prohibition.
PDF

[The distance provisions in Section 4-3(b) of this Ordinance shall not apply to any licensee]
The distance provisions in Section 4-3(b) of this Ordinance shall not apply to any licensee
PDF

[APPENDIX A: FEES AND CHARGES]
APPENDIX A: FEES AND CHARGES
PDF

[See Section 4-8 regarding proration of license fees for initial licenses.]
See Section 4-8 regarding proration of license fees for initial licenses.
PDF

June-8-2026-Work-Session-Minutes

[Page 1]
Page 1
PDF

June-9-2026-Regular-Session-Minutes

[Page 1]
Page 1
PDF

Notice: Two Budget Public Hearings @ LCC 2026-06-22

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Did you know Lowndes County is going to hold two Budget Public Hearings this coming week?

One will be 9 AM Monday morning, after the Work Session. I found that one on lowndescounty.com by googling for it. Monday is actually June 22 according to every other calendar; nevermind what that notice says.

The other Budget Public Hearing will be 5 PM Tuesday evening, before the Regular Session. Gretchen found that one in the Valdosta Daily Times via a google alert.

They will both be in the Commission Chambers on the second floor of 327 North Ashley Street, Valdosta, Georgia.

[Notice: Two Budget Public Hearings @ LCC, 9 AM Monday 2026-06-22, 5 PM Tuesday 2026-06-23]
Notice: Two Budget Public Hearings @ LCC, 9 AM Monday 2026-06-22, 5 PM Tuesday 2026-06-23

Neither of them are in the main calendar on lowndescounty.com.

I also found what appear to be the slides for these budget public hearings. They are on lowndescounty.com, but they are not linked from the web pages for the Finance Department nor the County Clerk nor the County Manager.

They are not in PDF or PowerPoint and they are not downloadable. So I took screenshots of each slide, which you can see below. You’re welcome.

Maybe at some of these Budget Public Hearings or at the Work Session or the Regular Session why these Public Hearings are not more prominently announced. Continue reading →

Agenda: DFACS, DUI, Accountability, Juveniles, Camelot Crossing Infrastructure, Email Software, Alcohol Ordinance @ LCC 2026-06-22

1 Reply

Update 2026-06-19: Notice: Two Budget Public Hearings @ LCC 2026-06-22.

It would be interesting to see the Alcoholic Beverage Ordinance the Lowndes County Commission will be voting on Tuesday evening, and the infrastructure they intend to approve for the Camelot Crossing Commercial Development.

But there is nothing on the county website but the bare agenda, and the county has not yet responded to an open records request for the board packet.

We do know that Tuesday evening at the 5:30 PM Regular Session you can speak in Citizens Wishing to Be Heard.

But not at the 8:30 AM Monday Work Session, where you do get to hear staff and Commissioners discuss agenda items.

[Agenda: DFACS, DUI, Accountability, Juveniles, Camelot Crossing, Email Software, Alcohol Ordinance @ LCC 2026-06-22]
Agenda: DFACS, DUI, Accountability, Juveniles, Camelot Crossing, Email Software, Alcohol Ordinance @ LCC 2026-06-22

Here is the agenda.

All the agenda sheets linked under “Documents:” are blank.

LAKE still does not have the board packet, even though the LAKE open records request went to Lowndes County at 8 AM on Tuesday, June 16. I would think Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday count as the three days permitted to respond to a Georgia Open Records Act (GORA) request. If so, they’re late.

I’ve included a map of Camelot Crossing from the Lowndes County Tax Assessors website. I’ve marked some well-known nearby sinkholes. I wonder how many of the other visible wetlands are also sinkholes?

LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROPOSED AGENDA
WORK SESSION, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2026, 8:30 a.m.
REGULAR SESSION, TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2026, 5:30 p.m.
327 N. Ashley Street – 2nd Floor

Continue reading →

Videos: Datacenters, Sinkholes, Animals, Emergencies, Disasters, Judges, Drugs, and Wells @ LCC Regular 2026-04-28

There was some discussion among Lowndes County Commissioners, but their Regular Session on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, as they approved all the voting items unanimously.

In her Reports, County Manager Paige Dukes called on both Utilities Director Steve Stalvy and Fire Chief Billy Young about the current drought and fire situations.

Six Citizens Wished to Be Heard.

George Fisher spoke about his water research, which includes he’s discovered the line of sinkholes running across the county.

Pam Kelly Jarvis and Amanda Hall spoke about animal issues.

Jimmy LeFiles, Michael Noll, and Susan Wehling spoke about datacenters.

[Collage @ LCC 28 April 2026]
Collage @ LCC 28 April 2026

After the meeting adjourned, County Chairman Bill Slaughter came down to talk to several people about datacenters. County Manager Paige Dukes joined in. The Chairman said it was their procedure not to answer Citizens Wishing to Be Heard during the meeting, but he made himself available afterwards.

I mentioned that the Continue reading →

Videos: Emergencies, Disasters, Judges, Drugs, and Wells @ LCC Work 2026-04-27

Update 2026-05-08: Videos: Datacenters, Animals, Emergencies, Disasters, Judges, Drugs, and Wells @ LCC Regular 2026-04-28.

The Lowndes County Commissioners asked many questions yesterday morning in their Work Session.

Especially about 5.a. Adoption of the Lowndes County Resolution for Emergency Management – LEOP and 5.d. …Procurement Determination Declaring Initial Proposal Non-Responsive….

In the elevator after, I told Commissioner Joyce Evans she needs to stop making those long speeches. (Joke: she famously never has said much during County Commission meetings.)

The meeting lasted more than 32 minutes, which is quite long for them.

Commissioner Scottie Orenstein was absent.

They vote today at 5:30 PM, Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in their Regular Session.

You can speak at the end of this evening’s meeting, in Citizens Wishing to Be Heard.

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

See also the Continue reading →

Packet: Emergencies, Disasters, Judges, Drugs, and Wells @ LCC 2026-04-28

Update 2026-04-28: Videos: Emergencies, Disasters, Judges, Drugs, and Wells @ LCC Work 2026-04-27.

The Lowndes County Commission has no rezonings and no appointments to review Monday morning at its Work Session, nor to vote on at 5:30 PM, Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at its Regular Session.

Most of the agenda items are continuation or updating of things they were already doing, such as 5.c. Renewal of Disaster Related Debris Contracts, since we seem to keep having disasters.

[Packet: Emergencies, Disasters, Judges, Drugs, and Wells @ LCC 2026-04-27-28]
Packet: Emergencies, Disasters, Judges, Drugs, and Wells @ LCC 2026-04-27-28

But two items are cleaning up projects that failed. 5.d. Consideration of Procurement Determination Declaring Initial Proposal Non-Responsive and Award of Contract to Cowart Electric is because Current Edge Solutions failed to meet requirements.

5.g. Potable Well Testing is to try once again to get water wells working correctly at Alapaha Plantation.

Here is the agenda.

The board packet, received in response to a LAKE open records request, is on the LAKE website, with images of each page below.

LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROPOSED AGENDA
WORK SESSION, MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2026, 8:30 a.m.
REGULAR SESSION, TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2026, 5:30 p.m.
327 N. Ashley Street – 2nd Floor

Continue reading →

Data Center Prospects in Lowndes County –Lowndes County, GA 2026-03-09

So people can catch up on what is happening with datacenters, here is Lowndes County’s astonishingly informative post on the process going forward, illustrated and annotated with what has already happened.

This post does not mean that I or LAKE or any organization with which I am associated are in favor of or opposed to everything of anything in the county’s post. There are and will be plenty of other posts for such opinions.

[Data Center Prospects in Lowndes County, by Lowndes County, GA, 2026-03-09]
Data Center Prospects in Lowndes County, by Lowndes County, GA, 2026-03-09

Data Center Prospects in Lowndes County

Lowndes County, Georgia — On July 8, 2025, the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners approved the rezoning of REZ-2025-11, Coleman Road~719 acres from its current C-C (Crossroads Commercial) and CON (Conservation District) zoning classification to M-1 (Light Manufacturing) and CON (Conservation District) zoning classification with the following seven (7) conditions: Continue reading →

Videos: Water treatment upgrade because GA-EPD Consent Order, Lift Station Pump Repair, Condemnation along Twin Lakes Road, VAWA @ LCC Regular 2026-01-27

Congressman Austin Scott, District 8, congratulated Lowndes County on its 200th anniversary.

His appearance was not on the agenda for the Lowndes County Commission Regular Session of January 27, 2026. This was an unusual opportunity to talk directly to the Congress member for Lowndes County and many surrounding counties. Which is a reason you may want to attend Lowndes County Commission meetings: there’s no telling who may show up.

Rep. Scott read what he said was a resolution, but it appears to be a brief speech he made in the U.S. House. CELEBRATING LOWNDES COUNTY’S 200TH BIRTHDAY; Congressional Record Vol. 171, No. 213 (Extensions of Remarks – December 17, 2025),

CELEBRATING LOWNDES COUNTY’S 200TH BIRTHDAY

HON. AUSTIN SCOTT

of georgia

in the house of representatives

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Lowndes County in Georgia’s 8th Congressional District. Lowndes County was established by the Georgia State Assembly on December 23, 1825. Since then, the county has grown to be home to more than 118,000 people and spans 511 square miles. What was once a railroad town dominated by cotton sales has grown to serve as home to Valdosta State University, the Grand Bay Wildlife Management Area, Moody Air Force Base, and many charming Georgia towns. Lowndes County has served our airmen at Moody Air Force Base for many years and sets the example for how we can best support our soldiers and their families. I am honored to represent this community and look forward to seeing Lowndes County continue to grow for years to come.

[Collage @ LCC Regular 27 January 2026]
Collage @ LCC Regular 27 January 2026

The Twin Lakes Road right of way condemnation turned into a purchase agreement, resolution having been reached with the landowners.

The Commissioners unanimously approved everything on the agenda, except the condemnation, which they declared moot.

Three citizens spoke in Citizens Wishing to Be Heard: Mary Roe about paving of Green Road, Michael Noll about Citizens against Data Centers, and Maria Chung Willoughby about a non profit partnership.

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 Continue reading →

Videos: Water treatment upgrade because GA-EPD Consent Order, Lift Station Pump Repair, Condemnation along Twin Lakes Road, VAWA, Extension Office, Red Cross @ LCC Work 2026-01-26

Update 2026-02-06: Videos: Water treatment upgrade because GA-EPD Consent Order, Lift Station Pump Repair, Condemnation along Twin Lakes Road, VAWA @ LCC Regular 2026-01-27 2026-01-27.

The longest items at the Work Session this morning were 11 minutes of 6.a. Extension Office Update By Joshua Dawson and 8 minutes of 6.b. American Red Cross Update By Jacqueline Shoemaker.

If you weren’t there, you can only see them here in these LAKE videos, since the Lowndes County Commission does not publish videos of its Work Sessions.

They vote tomorrow evening at 5:30 PM, on spending $214,412.00 on the Spring Creek plant and $24,400.00 on a sewage pump repair at the Peterson Road Lift Station.

If they don’t make a deal before then, they’ll vote on paying $12,400.00 as a condemnation price to get some road and drainage right of way along Twin Lakes Road.

Plus there’s $26,371.00 cash match for a VAWA grant.

Other items include a resolution to sell surplus water meters and a Special Assessment Rate for 2026.

[Collage @ LCC Work 26 January 2026]
Collage @ LCC Work 26 January 2026

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 Continue reading →