Tag Archives: Beer and Wine License

Videos: Hurricane Recovery, Fire Department, expand Board of Tax Assessors, new water tower, appointments, election qualifying fees, insurance, and bids @ LCC Regular 2023-12-12

Update 2024-01-07: Appointing Tax Assessors is on the agenda for Monday, January 8, 2024.

Not on the agenda at the last 2023 Regular Session of the Lowndes County Commission were two items. Special Presentation – Hurricane Recovery was by two executives of the debris hauling company the county hired, plus Kristin Hannah of the Boys and Girls Club, which got a grant from the hauling company.

The second was Special Recognition – Fire Department – Toys for Tots. You can see these presentations and the agenda items in these LAKE videos.

They also added an agenda item, 7.n. Utility and Access Easement for Lochwinn Farms, for a James Road Extension parallel to the railroad.

[Collage @ LCC 12 December 2023]
Collage @ LCC 12 December 2023

They spent a bit more than a minute on 7.l. Expanding Board of Tax Assessors, about the same on 6.a. Valdosta-Lowndes County Conference Center and Tourism Authority, and two minutes on 6.b. Lowndes County Public Facilities Authority.

They will actually appoint three new Tax Assessors in their first 2024 meeting, on January 8th.

They unanimously approved everything, taking Continue reading

Videos: expand Board of Tax Assessors, new water tower, appointments, election qualifying fees, insurance, and bids @ LCC Work 2023-12-11

Update 2024-01-07: Videos: Hurricane Recovery, Fire Department, expand Board of Tax Assessors, new water tower, appointments, election qualifying fees, insurance, and bids @ LCC Regular 2023-12-12.

Hear Elaine Grice, Executive Director of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Lowndes and Echols Counties. CASA advocates for children who have been abused or neglected, and who are often in foster care. Lowndes County was one of the last to sign on to the program.

Her 10 minutes accounted for a third of the half-hour Lowndes County Commission Work Session of December 11, 2023.

They spent a bit more than a minute on 7.l. Expanding Board of Tax Assessors. One issue, said County Manager Paige Dukes, was that with only three Assessors, two constitutes a quorum, which limited their flexibility for meetings.

Earlier, Commissioner Clay Griner asked about appointments of Tax Assessors, pointing out that Assessor James Puckett’s term was up; this was in 6.b. Appointment – Lowndes County Public Facilities Authority. Chairman Bill Slaughter said those appointments would be on a January agenda. In the actual item about Tax Assessors, the County Manager said James Puckett would remain an Assessor until somebody was appointed to replace him, which would happen in January.

Second longest item at almost four minutes was 7.j. Lowndes County Juvenile Accountability Court FY24 Enhancement – Innovation, because Commission Demarcus Marshall asked about 17-year-olds, who would soon be entering the work force. Judge Council said some nonprofits helped, and he welcomed any other resources.

Third at more than two minutes was 8.b. Bid for Security Services at the Human Resources Building. Commissioner Demarcus Marshall asked if armed security guards cost more, and would being armed make a difference. Chairman Bill Slaughter said these guards man the metal detectors to keep people from bringing firearms in. There was more discussion.

Two water items got about a minute and a half each. In 8.c. Moody AFB Emergency Backup Water Connection Commissioner Demarcus Marshall wanted to know how long will the connection be. In 8.d. New Elevated Water Tower located at 2650 James Road Extension, the $3.5 million item, Commissioner Mark Wisenbaker wanted to know whether this tower was north of US 84. Utility Director Steve Stalvey said it would be south of US 84 but north of the railroad tracks. Nobody provided any detail for why it was being built. It’s probably not coincidence that this water tower comes after the March rezoning for a James Road apartment complex, which is apparently the same that was withdrawn back in August 2022. Let’s not forget all the previous subsidies to James Road (widening, water lines, etc.) after the infamous failed 2007 mega-mall boondoggle.

They ended with an Executive Session, of which we have no video.

[Collage @ LCC 11 December 2023]
Collage @ LCC 11 December 2023

Below are links to each LAKE video of each agenda item, followed by a LAKE video playlist.

See also the the agenda and the board packet. Continue reading

Packet: expand Board of Tax Assessors, new water tower, appointments, election qualifying fees, insurance, and bids @ LCC 2023-12-11

Update 2023-12-28: Videos: expand Board of Tax Assessors, new water tower, appointments, election qualifying fees, insurance, and bids @ LCC Work 2023-12-11.

Only tomorrow morning at 8:30 AM (or in the following LAKE video) will you hear from Elaine Grice, Executive Director of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Lowndes and Echols Counties.

[Collage, LCC Packet, 2023-12-11]
Collage, LCC Packet, 2023-12-11

The rest of the agenda for the Lowndes County Commission is quite busy, with appointments to two boards, expansion of the Board of Tax Assessors from 3 to 5 members, among other items.

Cost What
$3,551,666.00New Elevated Water Tower located at 2650 James Road Extension
$886,352.50Moody AFB Emergency Backup Water Connection
$171,593.002024 ACCG Workers’ Compensation Insurance Renewal
$70,500.00UPS Replacement at the Naylor and Hahira Public Safety Radio System
$63,580.00Bid for Security Services at the Human Resources Building
$1,473.00Lowndes County Juvenile Accountability Court (LCJAC) FY24 Enhancement and Innovation Award
$0.00Loan to Valdosta Housing Authority
$4,745,164.50Total

Oh, and $3.5 million for a new water tower.

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

LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROPOSED AGENDA
WORK SESSION, MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2023, 8:30 a.m.
REGULAR SESSION, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2023, 5:30 p.m.
327 N. Ashley Street – 2nd Floor

Continue reading

Videos: Dollar General rezoning tabled, Troupville Nature Park land purchased @ LCC 2022-12-13

Update 2023-01-10: Public Notice: Rezoning REZ-2022-20, GA 122 @ Skipper Bridge Road for a Dollar General 2023-01-08.

Update 2022-12-22: Videos: Lowndes County buys land from Helen Tapp for Troupville Nature Park and River Camp 2022-12-13.

The Lowndes County Commission tabled the rezoning for a Dollar General on GA 122 at Skipper Bridge Road until January 24, 2023, because they were a day short on required notice.

A dozen or more people in opposition were visible.

Turns out the county did send the correspondence about that before I asked for it in this meeting, and within the statutory three days for answering a Georgia open records request. All the letters returned were in opposition.

[Collage @ LCC 13 December 2022]
Collage @ LCC 13 December 2022

They made the historic purchase for Troupville Nature Camp and River Park, of Land Between the Rivers at the Little River Confluence with the Withlacoochee River. And Chairman Bill Slaughter called seller Helen Tapp up to say a few words.

Apparently they are also modest, since some of them did not seem to like compliments about that purchase.

They reappointed Franklin Bailey to the Greater Lowndes Planning Commission (GLPC).

Everything else passed unanimously.

In Citizens Wishing to be Heard, Kelly Saxon asked for assistance for the homeless, John S. Quarterman complimented the Commission on purchasing the Troupville land, and Blake Robinson said there may not be many young people who come to these meetings, but they do appreciate the local government work the Commissioners are doing.

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: Dollar General rezoning legally must be tabled, Troupville land purchase is for a park @ LCC 2022-12-12

Update 2022-12-18: Correspondence: Proposed Rezoning on GA 122 at Skipper Bridge Road 2022-12-12.

County Manager Paige Dukes said they are legally required to table the rezoning for a Dollar General, because they were a day late on getting notices out, although she twice blamed that on the Valdosta Daily Times.

[Collage @ LCC 12 December 2022]
Collage @ LCC 12 December 2022

County Chairman Bill Slaughter said the applicant had requested tabling, and he recommended the second meeting in January (January 24, 2023). Commissioner Demarcus Marshall wanted to know why. The Chairman said, “It works out for two of the parties involved, the county and the developer.” (Nevermind the people.) Commissioner Scottie Orenstein said “I’m not in favor of tabling something only to give the developer more time… If he has true intentions on meeting with the community and having a meeting with them, a town hall, something a little more official, then I’m OK with that. But not to just give them more time.” The Chairman disagreed, “Well, I don’t think time is going to resolve anything in this particular situation.” Plus regarding the applicant, “We’re here to give them the courtesy if they make a request through that application process.”

Commissioner Mark Wisenbaker wanted clarified that the main issue was the date issue. Alleged County Attorney G. Walter Elliott reminded them they have to vote to table (the Chairman cannot just unilaterally table).

Commissioner Demarcus Marshall wanted to know if the Planning Commission knew about the timing issue. Continue reading

Packet: Dollar General may be tabled @ LCC 2022-12-12

Update 2022-12-12: Videos: Dollar General rezoning legally must be tabled, Troupville land purchase is for a park @ LCC 2022-12-12.

Update 2022-12-12: Lowndes County to purchase land for Troupville Nature Park and River Camp @ LCC 2022-12-13.

Update 2022-12-10: Fixed my number dyslexia in the dates.

Lowndes County Chairman Bill Slaughter tells me the applicant for the Dollar General at GA 122 & Skipper Bridge Road (REZ-2022-20 Teramore Development) has requested tabling until a later meeting. Bill says he intends to table it until the second January 2023 meeting. So that’s January 25 24, 2023. He asked me to tell people that.

If I were you, I would show up this Tuesday, December 12 13th, anyway, so they see you are watching. Also, the agenda has not yet changed, and the item has not yet been tabled.

[Second meeting in January 2023]
Second meeting in January 2023

In any case, keep them letters, telephone calls, and petition signatures going in. Ask them to hold the public hearing and then just vote to deny it instead of tabling it.

For anyone tuning in late, here’s why: https://wwals.net/?p=60348

The board packet, received in response to a LAKE open records request, is on the LAKE website. The county did not send letters from citizens to Commissioners or staff about the Dollar General rezoning, even though those were specifically part of the request.

See also the agenda.

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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!

Agenda: Sprawl on Skipper Bridge Road and Purchase of Land Between the Rivers @ LCC 2022-12-12

Update 2022-12-09: Packet: Dollar General may be tabled @ LCC 2022-12-12.

Most of the budget dollar items on the Lowndes County Commission agenda are recurring, but the Purchase of Between the Rivers, L.L.C. Property for incorporation into the proposed Troupville Nature Park is one-time.

The most contentious item, REZ-2022-20 Teramore Development, LLC, ~3 acres at Hwy 122 & Skipper Bridge (Part of 0067 051), E-A to C-C, Well and Septic, for a Dollar General store in an agricultural and forestry Character Area, has no dollar value attached in the agenda, even though the potential costs to the county are large.

[Dollar General sprawl and Land Between the Rivers park]
Dollar General sprawl and Land Between the Rivers park

Cost What
$356,405.55Storage Area Network Replacement
$181,424.00 2023 ACCG Workers’ Compensation Insurance Renewal
$121,500.00Purchase of Between the Rivers, L.L.C. Property
$36,266.00Approval of Solicitor General’s VAWA Continuation Grant Application for 2023
$22,894.96MyGov Intergovernmental Agreement
$718,490.51Total

Here is the agenda.

LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROPOSED AGENDA
WORK SESSION, MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2022, 8:30 a.m.
REGULAR SESSION, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2022, 5:30 p.m.
327 N. Ashley Street – 2nd Floor

Continue reading

Videos: LAS, TIA, Facilties, Emergency @ LCC 2022-09-27

Last month, the most time was spent on a six-minute Hurricane Ian report by EMA Director Ashley Tye, plus a minute on an added Local Emergency Declaration, at the Lowndes County Commission Regular Session of September 27, 2022.

Chairman Bill Slaughter was absent due to illness. Commissioner Scottie Orenstein presided. Commissioner Demarcus Marshall was also absent.

The most discussion on the regular agenda, at more than three minutes, was on the high-dollar item, the ongoing redo of the facilities at the county palace. Next at more than a minute was more than a minute on widening of Old Clyattville Road. The whole thing took twenty minutes.


[LAS, TIA, Facilties, Emergency @ LCC 2022-09-27]
LAS, TIA, Facilties, Emergency @ LCC 2022-09-27

Below are links to each LAKE video of each agenda item, with a few notes by Gretchen, followed by a LAKE video playlist. See also the LAKE videos of the preceding morning’s Work Session and the agenda and board packet. Continue reading

Videos: LAS, TIA, Chiller, Ian @ LCC 2022-09-26

Update 2022-10-24: Videos: LAS, TIA, Facilties, Emergency @ LCC 2022-09-27.

A report on Hurricane Ian by EMA Director Ashley Tye (could be here by Wednesday) took eight minutes of the eighteen minutes of yesterday morning’s Lowndes County Commission Work Session.


[LAS, TIA, Chiller, Ian @ LCC 2022-09-26]
LAS, TIA, Chiller, Ian @ LCC 2022-09-26

Nonetheless, there was a surprising amount of discussion of other items, especially on 5.c. Transportation Investment Act (TIA) Old Clyattville Road Widening and on the $1,364,736.00 5.d. Comprehensive Facilities Energy Savings Project Amendment, which everybody agreed should not have needed so much fixing so soon.

Below are links to each LAKE video of each agenda item, with a few notes, followed by a LAKE video playlist. See also agenda and board packet. Continue reading

Packet: Sewage LAS expansion testing, Old Clyattville Road widening, Replace county palace chiller @ LCC 2022-09-26

Update 2022-09-27: Videos: LAS, TIA, Chiller, Ian @ LCC 2022-09-26.

This week the Lowndes County Commission will spend $1.4 million, mostly on fixing faulty chillers on their meeting building, but also $45,460 on the South Lowndes Land Application Site (LAS) which handles the county’s sewage.

Their Work Session is 8:30 AM this morning. They vote at their Regular Session, 5:30 PM tomorrow evening, September 27, 2022.

Cost What
$1,364,736.00Comprehensive Facilities Energy Savings Project Amendment Resolution
$45,460.00South Lowndes LAS Expansion Assessment and Testing
$1,410,196.00Total

Plus some amount of previously-authorized funds to widen Old Clyattville Road.

And there’s a beer and wine license.

[Collage Lowndes County Commission Packet 2022-09-26]
Collage Lowndes County Commission Packet 2022-09-26

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

LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROPOSED AGENDA
WORK SESSION, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2022, 8:30 a.m.
REGULAR SESSION, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2022, 5:30 p.m.
327 N. Ashley Street – 2nd Floor

Continue reading