Tag Archives: Alcohol

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

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

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

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

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: Homestead Tax, Datacenter, Appointments to 3 Boards, 1 small subdivision, Old US 41 N widening, Alcohol, Sewage, insurance, bonds, and roads @ LCC Regular 2026-06-09

Update 2026-06-15: Proposed Local Act for Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST) @ LCC 2026-06-09.

The bulk of this long meeting was not on the agenda: another one cent sales tax, a report about services at Leila Ellis, and eight citizens wishing to be heard. Well, those citizens were collectively on the agenda of the Tuesday evening Regular Session of the Lowndes County Commission, but the other two items were not.

By far the longest item at 21 minutes was added to the agenda at the beginning of
7.f. LHOST Consideration, SB 33 Special Local Homestead Option Sales Tax The title is my guess; I think Chairman Bill Slaughter just said LHOST.

The thirteen slides County Manager Paige Dukes presented are on the LAKE website, received in response to a LAKE open records request. Images of each slide are below.

We do not yet have the draft legislation the Commissioners unanimously approved sending to the Georgia legislature to enact this additional one cent sales tax, because I didn’t think to request it until this afternoon. Why the slides and the legislation are not on the county’s own website is mysterious.

[Videos: Homestead Tax, Datacenter, Appointments to 3 Boards, 1 small subdivision, Old US 41 N, Alcohol, Sewage, insurance, bonds, and roads @ LCC Regular 2026-06-09]
Videos: Homestead Tax, Datacenter, Appointments to 3 Boards, 1 small subdivision, Old US 41 N, Alcohol, Sewage, insurance, bonds, and roads @ LCC Regular 2026-06-09

They approved everything else unanimously, including reappointing James Ramsey and appointing Gary Wisenbaker to the Valdosta-Lowndes County Zoning Board of Appeals: his brother Commissioner Mark Wisenbaker recused himself.

They appointed James Warren to the Valdosta-Lowndes County Airport Authority.

They reappointed Andy Griffin and Scott Purvis to the Lowndes County Public Facilities Authority.

The longest regular item discussion at almost seven minutes was of the Industrial Authority Series 2026 Bonds.

Another long item (almost six minutes) not on the agenda occured when as part of the County Manager Report Paige Dukes asked Probation Director Ferlisha Rountree to talk about about services at Leila Ellis.

Six citizens spoke about the potential datacenter on Coleman Road: George Fisher, Jimmy LeFiles, John Smith, Amy Wiegenstein, Sarah Riggle, and Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman.

Also, Skyler Ramen(sp?) said his paycheck increases less than rent does and Robert Willis would like speed bumps on Danieli Drive in Lake Park.

Here is a LAKE video playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLshUv86fYkiG2JQe4jgsEi9L0R2O6z_GM Continue reading

Videos: Appointments to 3 Boards, 1 small subdivision, Old US 41 N widening, Alcohol, Sewage, insurance, bonds, and roads @ LCC Work 2026-06-08

Update 2026-06-10: Videos: Homestead Tax, Datacenter, Appointments to 3 Boards, 1 small subdivision, Old US 41 N widening, Alcohol, Sewage, insurance, bonds, and roads @ LCC Regular 2026-06-09.

They took fifteen minutes to review everything: the Lowndes County Commission at their Work Session, Monday, 8:30 AM, June 8, 2026.

They vote tomorrow (Tuesday) at 5:30 PM, with Citizens Wishing to Be Heard at the end.

[3 Boards, 1 small subdivision, Widen Old US 41 N, Alcohol, Sewage, insurance, bonds, and roads @ LCC Work 2026-06-08]
3 Boards, 1 small subdivision, Widen Old US 41 N, Alcohol, Sewage, insurance, bonds, and roads @ LCC Work 2026-06-08

I tried a new video camera. The results are disappointing, as you can see. The sound is good, because of an external microphone. Maybe just get one of those for the regular cameras.

Here is a LAKE video playlist of each LAKE video of each agenda item.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLshUv86fYkiHlh5JBck2utM_6NdTcW1Sm Continue reading

Packet: Appointments to 3 Boards, 1 small subdivision, Old US 41 N widening, Alcohol, Sewage, insurance, bonds, and roads @ LCC 2026-06-08

Update 2026-06-08: Videos: Appointments to 3 Boards, 1 small subdivision, Old US 41 N widening, Alcohol, Sewage, insurance, bonds, and roads @ LCC Work 2026-06-08.

It’s a relatively light agenda for the Lowndes County Commission Work Session Monday morning at 8:30 AM and its Regular Session 5:30 PM Tuesday evening.

Nobody seems to know anything about the mysteriously withdrawn-by-applicant TWR-2026-01 Salem Church Tower.

There are appointments to three boards, a small Lake Park subdivision rezoning, an alcohol license.

The big ticket items are:

  • eligible project costs up to $13,252.000.00 from TIA for the Old US 41 North widening,
  • a GEFA loan for $2,812,500.00 for bypass pumps at all county sewage lift stations,
  • $2,664,355.90 from TSPLOST for Twin Lakes Road work,
  • $1,248,947.00 for ACCG IRMA Property & Liability Insurance Renewal.

And the county is doing a supplemental agreement for Industrial Authority Series 2026 Bonds.

[Packet: Appointments to 3 Boards, 1 small subdivision, Old US 41 N widening, Alscol, Sewage, insurance, bonds, and roads @ LCC 2026-06-08]
Packet: Appointments to 3 Boards, 1 small subdivision, Old US 41 N widening, Alscol, Sewage, insurance, bonds, and roads @ LCC 2026-06-08

Here is the agenda.

The board packet, received in response to a LAKE open records request, is on the LAKE website.

Images of each page are below. Well, many of them. The bulk of the packet is long agreements and resolutions.

See also Continue reading

Videos: 3 rezonings, 4 road items, 1 beer and wine, VLCIA bonds, servers, debris hauler @ LCC Regular 2026-05-12

Gretchen noted about these LAKE videos of the May 12, 2026, Regular Session of the Lowndes County Commission, “Still having camera problems. No audio on two of the bits and agenda items 6e and 6f and the start of 7a did not get recorded at all.”

Yes, we know the county videos its own Regular Sessions:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PRqnqJwM8k

LAKE continues to video those meetings anyway, for a number of reasons I don’t have time to go into here.

Also, the county does not post videos of its Work Sessions, nor of the Planning Commission, nor of any of the other numerous Boards and Authorities, not to mention School Board meetings. LAKE does post videos of those Work Sessions and Planning Commission meetings. You can help. Volunteer to video some meetings. Or donate to LAKE to buy a better video camera.

Once again, Lowndes County plans to widen Old US 41 North the rest of the way up to the Hahira City Limits: 6.c. TIA – Local Delivery Application for Old US 41 North Widening Phase 4

Other than the Clyattville case was withdrawn by applicant, the Commissioners approved all the agenda items unanimously.

[Collage @ LCC 12 May 2026]
Collage @ LCC 12 May 2026

Two citizens spoke about datacenters: Michael Noll and George Fisher. See also what IT Director Aaron Kostyu said in the Works Session about massive hikes in memory and server prices because the AI industry is sucking up all the inventory even before it is manufactured.

Two citizens spoke about animals: Amie Burnam and Tara Parker.

Below are links to each LAKE video of each agenda item for the May 12, 2026, Lowndes County Commission Regular Session, wWork ith a few notes by Gretchen Quarterman, followed by a LAKE video playlist.

See also the LAKE videos of the previous morning’s Work Session and the agenda and the board packet, received in response to a LAKE open records request.

For the rezonings (except Clyattville), see the LAKE videos of the preceding Planning Commission meeting.

Here is the LAKE video playlist:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLshUv86fYkiFwlE_EHC-C06NPB_VIXiPc&si=tVArGKPA4yehJA9h

-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

Videos: 3 rezonings, 4 road items, 1 beer and wine, VLCIA bonds, servers, debris hauler @ LCC Regular 2026-05-12

Gretchen noted about these LAKE videos of the May 12, 2026, Regular Session of the Lowndes County Commission, “Still having camera problems. No audio on two of the bits and agenda items 6e and 6f and the start of 7a did not get recorded at all.”

Yes, we know the county videos its own Regular Sessions:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PRqnqJwM8k

LAKE continues to video those meetings anyway, for a number of reasons I don’t have time to go into here.

Also, the county does not post videos of its Work Sessions, nor of the Planning Commission, nor of any of the other numerous Boards and Authorities, not to mention School Board meetings. LAKE does post videos of those Work Sessions and Planning Commission meetings. You can help. Volunteer to video some meetings. Or donate to LAKE to buy a better video camera.

Once again, Lowndes County plans to widen Old US 41 North the rest of the way up to the Hahira City Limits: 6.c. TIA – Local Delivery Application for Old US 41 North Widening Phase 4

Other than the Clyattville case was withdrawn by applicant, the Commissioners approved all the agenda items unanimously.

[Collage @ LCC 12 May 2026]
Collage @ LCC 12 May 2026

Two citizens spoke about datacenters: Continue reading

Videos: 3 rezonings, 4 road items, 1 beer and wine, VLCIA bonds, servers, debris hauler @ LCC Work 2026-05-11

Update 2026-05-24: Videos: 3 rezonings, 4 road items, 1 beer and wine, VLCIA bonds, servers, debris hauler @ LCC Regular 2026-05-12.

In case you haven’t heard, Lowndes County plans to widen Old US 41 North the rest of the way up to the Hahira City Limits: 6.c. TIA Local Delivery Application for Old US 41 North Widening Phase 4.

[Collage @ LCC 11 May 2026]
Collage @ LCC 11 May 2026

The Clyattville case was withdrawn by applicant: 5.a. REZ-2026-04 Jay Ma Khodiyar 5507 Central St. (Clyattville), R-10 to C-G. This is the same rezoning that was tabled for a month back on March 10, 2026, on a motion by Commissioner Mark Wisenbaker. I wonder how many times it will reapppear?

The Old Bemiss Road Blackwater case had quite a bit of discussion about roads, railroad, and access: 5.b. REZ-2026-11 Blackwater Development 4130 Old Bemiss Rd., (part 1).

Aaron Kostyu, Information Technology Services Director, spelled out a problem with so-called AI: 6.e. Replacement of Three Servers. Commissioner Michael Smith wondered why there was only one quote for the three servers IT requested.

It’s because we can’t find hardware anywhere. They have increased over the last two months by 800 to 1000 percent.

None of the drives are available; none of the memory is available, because the AI industry is sucking it all up. They have done something unprecedented, and the memory industry has allowed them to purchase the next three lots before they are even created. And so we don’t see this ending anytime soon.

We’ve had difficulty getting hardware that normally choose because the prices have gotten out of control. We’re jumping on the right now.

We know already that there’s a hundred and five day time limit on these quotes. They’ve already gone up since we got these quotes, but she agreed to extend it.

This is last month’s quote. It’s already higher.

She’s agreed to hold this pricing, and hopefully we’ll get 105 days. Tomorrow, if we purchase the next day, that will potentially get just in time to pay out of this year’s budget. So it’s a real race to get it done.

Continue reading

Packet: 3 rezonings, 4 road items, 1 beer and wine, VLCIA bonds, servers, debris hauler @ LCC 2026-05-11

Update 2026-05-24: Videos: 3 rezonings, 4 road items, 1 beer and wine, VLCIA bonds, servers, debris hauler @ LCC Work 2026-05-11.

Yes, you can speak about datacenters, animals, water, or whatever else in Citizens Wishing to Be Heard at the voting Regular Session, 5:30 PM, Tuesday, May 12, 2026.

The Lowndes County Commissioners will notice if you show up for the Work Session, 8:30 AM, Monday, May 11, 2026.

The board packet doesn’t mention that 5.a. REZ-2026-04 Jay Ma Khodiyar, ~1ac, 5507 Central St. (Clyattville) was tabled for a month back on March 10, 2026, on a motion by Commissioner Mark Wisenbaker.

[Collage @ LCC Packet 2026-05-11 --LAKE]
Collage @ LCC Packet 2026-05-11 –LAKE

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.

For the other two rezonings, see also Continue reading