The wood pellet plant annexation had one vote against, and two against the rezoning.
![[Reporters, Council, Opposition, Agenda]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/adel/2020-09-21--adel-videos/many.jpg)
Reporters, Council, Opposition, Agenda
The budget, millage, and alcohol license passed unanimously.
There was little discussion and no public input. There was a Public Hearing two weeks before.
Below are links to each LAKE video of each agenda item, with a very few notes, and a few more pictures. Continue reading
Here is a map of “North Central Lowndes County” which is the area the county wants most to develop with subdivisions. It’s in the board packet materials for Addition to Basic Decorative Street Lighting District – Coventry Villas Subdivision, for last week’s Lowndes County Commission meeting.
![[Exhibit B: Basic Decorative; North Central Lowndes County 2; Revised 9/2020]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2020-10-12--lcc-packet/October-12-13-2020-Agenda-Packet-0006.jpg)
Exhibit B: Basic Decorative; North Central Lowndes County 2; Revised 9/2020
PDF
This the first table of tax dollar amounts we’ve had add up to a positive total.
| Cost | What |
|---|---|
| ($1,107,500.64) | 2021 LMIG Resurfacing Grant Application |
| ($99,938.00) | 2020 Addressing Victimization within the Juvenile Justice System Grant Application |
| $42,067.69 | Nelson Hill Lift Station Pump Upgrade |
| $5.00 | Approval of Increase in Convenience Fees for Web and Telephone Payments |
| ($1,165,370.95) | Total |
The real total should be both less than that (the LMIG grant has a 10% match) and more (the $5.00 is times each telephone or online payment).
Here’s a list of what they plan to do with the 2021 LMIG Resurfacing Grant Application: Continue reading
Applying this morning for Board of Tax Assessors are Mr. Gene Felts and Mrs. Gretchen Quarterman. The Lowndes County Commission will vote tomorrow (Tuesday) at 5:30 PM. That and almost $4 million in water, road, software, and fire items.
| Cost | What |
|---|---|
| $1,681,770.84 | Grading, Drainage, Base, and Paving of Clyattstone Road and Simpson Lane. |
| $1,417,333.98 | Clyattstone Water Main Extension |
| $489,310.00 | Motorola SUAII (Evergreen) |
| $128,075.58 | Firefighter Personnel Request |
| $41,217.6.00 | Foxborough Lift Station Pump |
| $34,169.28 | Drainage Improvements to Brinson Lane and Oak Hill Drive |
| $22,500.00 | FY2021 Joint Funding Agreement with USGS |
| $19,800.00 | Land Application System (LAS) Expansion Agreement |
| $3,834,177.28 | Total |
Apparently paving does not solve all problems, because one of the four water items is Drainage Improvements to Brinson Lane and Oak Hill Drive to “eliminate flooding issues as a result of the paving of Oak Hill Drive.”. The other three water items are FY2021 Joint Funding Agreement with USGS for the Folsom Bridge (GA 122 Little River & Skipper Bridge (Withlacoochee River) USGS gauges, Foxborough Lift Station Pump, and Land Application System (LAS) Expansion Agreement.
In addition to Brinson Lane, there are two more road items: Grading, Drainage, Base, and Paving of Clyattstone Road and Simpson Lane (how much have they spent on that project combined so far?) and Acceptance of Infrastructure for Val Del Villas. The latter is listed as no cost, despite the Brinson Lane episode.
Also on the agenda: Grant Submission Request – COVID-19 Response Grant Application, partly to “Recruit and hire a sufficient number of poll workers and inspectors to ensure polling places are properly staffed,” , a Firefighter Personnel Request, and Motorola SUAll (Evergreen) software.
Received in response to a LAKE open records request, the board packet is on the LAKE website. Here is the agenda.
LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Continue reading
PROPOSED AGENDA
WORK SESSION, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2020, 8:30 a.m.
REGULAR SESSION, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2020, 5:30 p.m.
327 N. Ashley Street – 2nd Floor
Adel staff answered extensive questions about the budget, in the Adel City Council meeting, Tuesday, August 8, 2020. The proposed wood pellet plant for export to Europe was criticised by several local citizens, and defended by members of local authorities and commissions, as well as its CEO, speaking from Houston, Texas, on a laptop screen.
Below are links to each LAKE video of each agenda item and each speaker, with a few notes. See also Continue reading
A busy agenda for 8:30 AM Monday morning, with voting 5:30 PM Tuesday, includes especially taxes, and alcohol, sewer, twice, education, extension agents, Prison Work Details, and Architectural Services for Lowndes County Fire Station #5 – Bemiss Road Fire Station Alterations and Additions.
![[Aerial Map]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2020-08-24--lcc-packet/August-24--25-2020-Commission-Meeting-Packet-0012.jpg)
Aerial Map for Uncle Carlo’s Italian Ristorante, 1024 Lakes Blvd., Lake Park, GA.
Plus appointment of a new County Clerk, Belinda Lovern, and Deputy Clerk, Sabrina Denson. No posting of the positions is mentioned.
| Cost | What |
|---|---|
| $147,954.00 | Annual Contract Renewal, Georgia Department of Corrections – Prison Work Details |
| $141,841.00 | Contract for Extension Agents and Staff |
| $110,000.00 | Peterson Road Lift Station Emergency Repair |
| $44,400.00 | Architectural Services for Lowndes County Fire Station #5 – Bemiss Road Fire Station Alterations and Additions |
| $41,840.00 | Nelson Hill Discharge Manhole |
| $5,699.35 | Tax Commissioners’ Back Wage Settlement with Department of Labor |
| $-32,000.00 | USDA Building Lease Amendment No. 4 |
| $459,734.35 | Total |
The Lowndes County Commission is Repealing Approvals Authorizing the Tax Commissioner to Waive Penalties and Interest, apparently because of a Tax Commissioners' Back Wage Settlement with Department of Labor.
After last year’s vote of the people to ask the Georgia legislature to make the Tax Assessors appointed, not elected, the legislature did that. Now the County Commission is setting the number of Assessors at three, with initial staggered terms of 3, 4, and 5 years, and after that 3 years for each.
This is after two weeks ago the Lowndes County Commission rolled back the tax millage rate slightly.
Here is the agenda. The entire board packet, together with the Minutes of the meetings of two weeks ago (Work Session, Millage Hearing, and Regular Session) is on LAKE website.
LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Continue reading
PROPOSED AGENDA
WORK SESSION, MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2020, 8:30 a.m.
REGULAR SESSION, TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2020, 5:30 p.m.
327 N. Ashley Street – 2nd Floor
There was pushback on lowering the millage rate at the Lowndes County Commission Work Session yesterday morning. They will decide this evening at 5:30 PM at the Regular Session.
The Commissioners, like some of the public, also wanted to know when there will be a new County Clerk. Answer, from the former County Clerk, Paige Dukes, who is now the County Manager: not yet; maybe next meeting (two weeks from now).
The $0.9 million low bid from Reames for road paving and a box culvert got no discussion from Commissioners.
The Scruggs Company was offered a special exception to the Comprehensive Plan; one that actually makes sense.
Yes, the Copeland property backs up to PCA.
The Verizon tower got no questions from Commissioners.
Below are links to each LAKE video with a few notes, followed by a LAKE video playlist. See also the agenda and board packet, and the millage rate hearing at 5PM today (Tuesday).
| Cost | What |
|---|---|
| $899,744.40 | Ridgecrest, Woodland and Glenview Paving & Drainage Project |
| $899,744.4 | Total |
The agenda sheet says:
Lowndes County solicited bids for Ridgecrest, Woodland and Glenview Grading, Drainage, Base and Paving. The project will consist of Grading, Drainage, Base and Paving of Ridgecrest and Woodland and the installation of a box culvert under Glenview Drive. Vendors present for the pre-bid meeting held on July 21, 2020, were James Warren & Associates, Southland Contractors, Reames & Son Construction, Rountree Construction, and The Scruggs Company. Three bids were received on August 4, 2020.
Here are the bids:
![[Bids, NC-TIA 2019-04: Ridgecrest Street and Woodland Drive]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2020-08-10--lcc-packet/rwgpdp-bids-rot.jpg)
Bids, NC-TIA 2019-04: Ridgecrest Street and Woodland Drive
Where is that? South of the west end of W Savanna Ave, near I-75 Exit 16.
![[Google map: Ridgecrest Street & Woodland Drive]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2020-08-10--lcc-packet/google-map-ridgecrest-woodland.jpg)
Google map:
Ridgecrest Street & Woodland Drive
Ah, yes, I got stuck in traffic there not so long ago, trying to get around a stopped train.
We know this much because LAKE obtained a copy of the board packet through an open records request; it’s on the LAKE website.
I suppose if we rummage around enough we’ll find details of NC-TIA 2019-04 somewhere on the county’s website.
Here is the agenda.
LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Continue reading
PROPOSED AGENDA
WORK SESSION, MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2020, 8:30 a.m.
REGULAR SESSION, TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020, 5:30 p.m.
327 N. Ashley Street – 2nd Floor
Will it take fifteen minutes, or twenty minutes, to approve almost a million dollars, in a packed agenda for Monday and Tuesday at the Lowndes County Commission? It’s mostly Property & Liability insurance, followed by a consulting contract for a go-between with Moody AFB, plus UPSes for county radio sites.
| Cost | What |
|---|---|
| $818,021.00 | ACCG IRMA Property & Liability Program Renewal |
| $96,000.00 | Agreement with Cornerstone |
| $24,257.88 | Vertiv Service Contract for the Liebert UPS at the 911 Center & the 4 Tower Sites |
| $0; past gate name it Harper’s Lane | Renaming a Portion of Sara Road |
| $0 | Acceptance of Infrastructure for Brayden Place Subdivision |
| $938,278.88 | Total |
They’ll also appoint Thomas Lovett to the South Georgia Regional Library Board, rename a road, and accept some subdivision roads.
![[Aerial Map: Sara Road Renaming]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2020-07-27--lcc-packet/July-27-28-2020-Meeting-Packet-0010.jpg)
Aerial Map: Sara Road Renaming
Received Friday 5:14 PM in response to a LAKE open records request, the board packet is on the LAKE website.
Here is the agenda:
LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Continue reading
PROPOSED AGENDA
WORK SESSION, MONDAY, JULY 27, 2020, 8:30 a.m.
REGULAR SESSION, TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2020, 5:30 p.m.
327 N. Ashley Street – 2nd Floor
$3,200,415.50 was on the agenda for this week, presumably approved by now by the Lowndes County Commission, in which they also appointed Paige Dukes to succeed Joe Pritchard as Lowndes County Manager.
| Cost | What |
|---|---|
| $2,500,000.00 | GEFA Loan Application |
| $289,498.00 | Acceptance of FY 2021 Juvenile Justice Incentive Grant |
| $198,775.00 | Fiber Optic to Lowndes EOC |
| $102,762.00 | Judicial System Software Purchase |
| $45,790.00 | Annual Contract Renewal for Mosquito Identification and Testing |
| $40,000.00 | Office of the Governor Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Accountability Court Lowndes County DUI Court- State Court |
| $23,590.50 | Approval of Clyattstone Rd.-Simpson Ln. ROW and Easement Purchases (Parcels 26 and 34) |
| $0.00 | Amendment to TPO Agreement FY2021 – Transit |
| $3,200,415.50 | Total |
That’s 2.6% of the $120 million county annual budget.
Curious that they’re willing to spend $198,775.00 for fast, reliabile, Internet connectivity to their own offices but nothing for the rest of the population of Lowndes County.
I’ve lost track of how much they’ve spent on Clyattstone Road to connect Old US 41 N and Val Del Road to promote development in that area.
I commend the county for the GEFA Loan Application for wastewater utilities projects:
HISTORY, FACTS AND ISSUES: The Georgia Environmental Finance Authority offers funding through the State Revolving Fund. Local governments are able to secure low interest loans to be used for utility projects. Lowndes County has identified several lift station and manhole rehabilitation improvement projects.
The loan can be structured to spread repayment over a period of up to 30 years; however, there is no penalty for paying the loan off early. The proposed interest rate will not exceed 1.94% While the total loan amount is $2,500,000.00 it includes a grant component which allows for forgiveness of up to $625,000.00 of the loan amount. Staff recommends approval of the GEFA Loan Application.
The entire board packet is on the LAKE website. Documents received 12:26 PM, Friday, July 10, 2020, in response to a LAKE open records request. LAKE looks forward to these documents being posted on the county’s own website along with the agenda. Continue reading
On August 1, 2020, Paige Dukes will be the new County Manager, after the 20-year reign of Joe Pritchard.
Paige Dukes, County Clerk, Lunch and Learn, 2011-10-13
Chris Herbert, Valdosta Daily Times, 14 July 2020, Dukes named Lowndes County Manager,
The vote was a split decision, 3-2, with commissioners Joyce Evans, Clay Griner and Scottie Orenstein voting in favor. Demarcus Marshall and Mark Wisenbaker opposed.
Marshall said his no vote was because he wanted to see the position advertised to open the pool up to other candidates.
“I would expect no less than to have this position advertised,” Marshall said. “To advertise it is saying, ‘we’re not just the good ole boys system or good ole girls system.'”
Wisenbaker said he wanted to see a “fresh” perspective from county leadership and hoped a broader search could provide some new outlooks for the county’s future.
“I voted no because I think the citizens of Lowndes County need to be better represented. We need to advertise this job…There’s nothing personal against Ms. Dukes. She’s been here a while. She does a good job. It’s just being able to look out there and see what we may be missing,” he said. “We got a $120 million budget. That’s not small and we need the right people and the right person to carry this on. And we need fresh ideas. We need a fresh person, in my opinion, that can bring new things to the table.”
Those two were in the minority, however, and the three in support said they are certain Dukes is the right decision.
“I’ve been on this board for six years, and Continue reading
![[Survey Plat]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2020-09-21--lcc-packet/September-21--22-2020-Commission-Meeting-Packet-0014.jpg)
![[Table of Costs (by LAKE)]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2020-07-13--lcc-packet/Table-of-costs.jpg)