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 Jarvis and Amanda Hall spoke about animal issues.
Jimmy LeFiles, Michael Noll, and Susan Wehling spoke about datacenters.
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 Irwin County Commissioners modified their draft datacenter ordinance after three Public Hearings, and passed it on April 6. The Lowndes County Chairman did not say that they would hold public hearings. If they follow their usual methods, a draft ordinance will appear on an agenda and they will vote on it.
Datacenter discussion after @ LCC, 2026-04-28 –jsq for LAKE
I mentioned that the Brooks County, GA, datacenter moratorium expires May 2. The Lowndes County Chairman said Lowndes County there is still no datacenter application, and the county would not pass a moratorium.
County Manager Paige Dukes said she was looking at ordinances throughout the country.
Various other people asked questions and got some sort of response. I will not attempt to transcribe those parts.
The Chairman said everyone could go tell people what he said. Above is my attempt to do so.
However, since there is no video nor any other recording that I am aware of, I could be mistaken, and the county has plausible deniability.
Personally, I’d prefer answers during the meeting and on the record.
Below are links to each LAKE video of each agenda item, with a few notes by John S. Quarterman, followed by a LAKE video playlist.
See also the agenda and the board packet, received in response to a LAKE open records request.
And the LAKE videos of the preceding morning’s Work Session.
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1. Order, 2. Invocation, 3. Pledge
Video:
https://youtu.be/v8yXVMTiTe4Datacenters, Sinkholes, Animals, Emergencies, Disasters, Judges, Drugs, and Wells @ LCC Regular 2026-04-28
Videos by John S. Quarterman for Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange (LAKE).
http://www.l-a-k-e.org/blog/2026/05/videos-datacenters-sinkholes-animals-emergencies-disasters-judges-drugs-and-wells-lcc-regular-2026-04-28.html -
Recognition of Leadership Lowndes
Video:
https://youtu.be/-aagxS6zecI
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3. Minutes for Approval, Work Session 2026-04-13 Regular Session 2026-04-14
Video:
https://youtu.be/XI9VEeyfOW4
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5.a. Adoption of the Lowndes County Resolution, Emergency Management – LEOP
Video:
https://youtu.be/OHtaIqUQPgY
5.a. Adoption of the Lowndes County Resolution for Emergency Management and Local Emergency Operations Plan (LEOP)
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5.b. FY2027 Juvenile Justice Incentive Grant Application
Video:
https://youtu.be/THkxWKbgsd4
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5.c. Renewal of Disaster Related Debris Contracts
Video:
https://youtu.be/lTSBZ06kIFU
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5.d. Procurement Determination Declaring Initial Proposal Non-Responsive…
Video:
https://youtu.be/fEjpYxR49yw
5.d. Consideration of Procurement Determination Declaring Initial Proposal Non-Responsive and Award of Contract to Cowart Electric
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5.e. VAWA Continuation Grant Application
Video:
https://youtu.be/gejJnktVWmg
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5.f. Opioid Litigation – Six (6) Remnant Defendants
Video:
https://youtu.be/FaRXqPGjymc
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5.g. Potable Well Testing
Video:
https://youtu.be/l7sIYvQFwZw
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6. Reports – County Manager
Video:
https://youtu.be/XctFelZm3Fk
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7. CWTBH Jimmy LeFiles, lives on Withlacoochee R., datacenter water usage
Video:
https://youtu.be/Tz08Eb–Ph87. CWTBH Jimmy LeFiles, lives on the Withlacoochee River, concerned about datacenter water usage
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7. CWTBH Michael Noll, working together, stewardship, drought, datacenters
Video:
https://youtu.be/ZGIivwfa6OM
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7. CWTBH Susan Wehling, datacenter water use
Video:
https://youtu.be/d5zzQskeWIA
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7. CWTBH Pam Jarvis, animal population control
Video:
https://youtu.be/v6JYEbk5NjE
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7. CWTBH George Fisher, researching sinkholes
Video:
https://youtu.be/heYhYtzv0Nk
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7. CWTBH Amanda Hall, Animal tethering, with Brooks, Tift County ordinances
Video:
https://youtu.be/oEmEnEUkihI
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8. Adjournment
Video:
https://youtu.be/1ndvPhQAri8
Here is the LAKE video playlist:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLshUv86fYkiE8HhdvSsXXvxBtkPNwDTd0&si=0c5FxGWZDC9mw0pr
-jsq
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http://www.l-a-k-e.org/blog/donate
![[Collage @ LCC 28 April 2026]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2026-04-28--lcc-regular-videos/many.jpg)