The Lowndes County Commission passed everything unanimously. Plus they had a proclamation about 811, two citizens spoke about datacenters, one about an alleged sinkhole, one invitation to a fair, and one talked about Southern Georgia Black Chambers.
Vice-Chair Mark Wisenbaker again presided, this time over the Regular Session.
Here are the LAKE videos of this Regular Session, with a few notes by John S. Quarterman.
See also Continue reading
Vice-Chair Mark Wisenbaker presided over the Lowndes County Commission Work Session this morning. They vote Tuesday evening at 5:30 PM.
Commissioners spent almost six minutes on 6.a. REZ-2026-15 Mardun Ventures, 6434 Lake Alapaha Blvd ~10.7ac, R-21 To E-A.
Lowndes County Commissioner Michael Smith
wondered about possible blueberries instead of pine trees.
County Planner JD Dillard said it could happen.
https://youtu.be/AqAR2FViiMY?si=tvRo3DgMwlG2h9sF
David Crawford took about five minutes to talk about Partnership Health Center as part of 9. County Manager Report.
https://youtu.be/oFi7tV2aWV8?si=5g95qOAmPo6xhGns
He talked about the number of people that they have provided services to this year. He emphasized that people come from all county commission districts. The people that they help have no insurance and are not covered by Medicare or Medicaid or any other private insurance.
![[Partnership Health Center, 2026-08-10]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2026-08-10--lcc-work-videos/2026-08-10--partnership-health-center.jpg)
Partnership Health Center, 2026-08-10
Since Lowndes County does not post video of its Work Sessions, if you weren’t there this morning at 8:30 AM, you can watch it in these LAKE videos, which are followed by a LAKE video playlist.
See also Continue reading
In the County Manager Report there is this item: David Crawford – Partnership Health Center (Work Session).
Since Lowndes County does not post video of its Work Sessions, you’ll either need to be there Monday morning at 8:30 AM, or watch it later in the LAKE videos.
This contentious rezoning will be decided after a Public Hearing: REZ-2026-15 Mardun Ventures, LLC, 6434 Lake Alapaha Blvd, ~10.7ac, R-21 to E-A, County Water & Septic.
The big dollar item I believe comes from state money, i.e., your state taxes, or is it T-SPLOST, also your taxes?
| Cost | What |
|---|---|
| $1,808,850.75 | 2026 Local Maintenance and Improvements Grant (LMIG) Local Road Assistance (LRA) Resurfacing Bids |
| $64,302.26 | Jail Skylight Replacement |
| $62,440.00 | Jail Door Locking Control System Replacement |
| $1,935,593.01 | Total |
![[Collage @ LCC Packet 2026-08-10]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2026-08-10--lcc-packet/many.jpg)
Collage @ LCC Packet 2026-08-10
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 rezoning, see also the the preceding Greater Lowndes Planning Commission (GLPC) meeting.
LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
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PROPOSED AGENDA
WORK SESSION, MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026, 8:30 A.M.
REGULAR SESSION, TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2026, 5:30 p.m.
327 N. Ashley Street – 2nd Floor
Two new Commissioners joined the Greater Lowndes Planning Commission (GLPC) this year: John “Mac” McCall joined in January for the first time. This February meeting was the first for Brian Touchton.
The Planning Commission unanimously recommended denial because of inadequate site plan for 3. REZ-2026-04 VII7B, 5507 Central Street (Clyattville), 0095-022, R-10 to C-G.
GLPC recommended approval for the other two, with an added condition for 4. REZ-2026-05: 1925 Davis@84, U S Highway 84 West, 0059-090, ~21.7 acres.
![[Collage @ LCC 23 February 2026]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/glpc/2026-02-23--glpc-videos/many.jpg)
Collage @ LCC 23 February 2026
GLPC recommends. The Lowndes County Commission will decide these three rezonings on March 10, 2026.
Here 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
Received in response to a LAKE open records request, the board packet materials for Monday’s Greater Lowndes Planning Commission meeting are on the LAKE website with images below.
![[Collage @ GLPC Packet 2026-02-23]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/glpc/2026-02-23--glpc-packet/many.jpg)
Collage @ GLPC Packet 2026-02-23
The delay, once again, was because I didn’t send the Georgia Open Records Act (GORA) request until yesterday.
Although if the Lowndes County would put the board packet on lowndescounty.com, nobody would have to play open records tag.
Apparently two Planning Commissioners during the meeting said they got these materials late or not at all. So putting them on the county’s own website would let anyone pick them up, even Planning Commissioners.
See also Continue reading
Update 2026-02-24: Packet: the 3 Lowndes County rezonings @ GLPC 2026-02-23.
February is a short month, and this Monday evening is the Regular Session of the Greater Lowndes Planning Commission (GLPC).
They have on their agenda three rezonings in Lowndes County, one commercial in Clyattville, and the other two subdivsions on US 84 and Val Del Road.
GLPC recommends. The Lowndes County Commission will decide on March 10, 2026.
![[Collage @ GLPC Agenda 2026-02-23]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/glpc/2026-02-23--glpc-agenda/many.jpg)
Collage @ GLPC Agenda 2026-02-23
Here is the GLPC agenda.
We don’t have the board packet, because I got the date wrong and only sent the open records request this morning.
Lowndes County could put the board packet on its own website, and nobody would have to play this game of tag.
Instead, I have included maps of the subject properties from the Lowndes County Tax Assessors.
Meanwhile, the county did send the draft minutes from the previous GLPC meeting. Those are on the LAKE website.
Greater Lowndes Planning Commission
~ Lowndes County ~ City of Valdosta ~ City of Dasher ~
~ City of Hahira ~ City of Lake Park ~ City of Remerton ~Monday, February 16, 2026 5:30 P.M. Work Session
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Monday, February 23, 2026 5:30 P.M. Regular Session
Lowndes County South Health District Administrative Office
325 West Savannah Avenue, Valdosta, Georgia
At this morning’s Work Session, the Lowndes County Commissioners spent the most time on the Telecommunications Tower on Rocky Ford Road (5:38) and on 6.a. Lowndes County Responsible Dog Ownership Ordinance.
They vote this evening at 5:30 PM (same day due to Monday being a holiday). Anyone can speak in the two rezoning Public Hearings,
Commissioner Mike Smith was absent this morning. Commissioner Joyce Evans is still absent due to illness.
They ended with an Executive Session about a potential real estate purchase and attorney-client privilege about potential litigation.
County Manager Paige Dukes mentioned in her Reports that the James Road water main project came out $800,000 under budget. Those funds can be used for other projects in the vicinity. She recommended a change order to work on a water main on Old Clyattville Road. Commissioner Mark Wisenbaker said to proceed.
Below are links to each LAKE video of each agenda item, with a few notes by Gretchen Quarterman.
See also Continue reading
Update 2025-10-14: Videos: Rezonings, Dogs, Roads, and Subdivisions @ LCC Work Session 2025-10-14.
The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval for both rezonings, but the communications tower rezoning on Rocky Ford Road near Watkins Road has acquired a petition and a lengthy letter of opposition as it goes to the Lowndes County Commission.
The commercial rezoning on Stewart Circle does not seem to have any opposition.
![[Collage, Packet @ LCC 2025-10-13]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2025-10-13--lcc-packet/many.jpg)
Collage, Packet @ LCC 2025-10-13
The county finally has an agreement to sign with GDOT and CSX about the Old Quitman Highway bridge, which will be paid for and organized by GDOT.
The county thinks it’s ready to sign the Lowndes County Responsible Dog Ownership Ordinance, “Approval of the attached ordinance will eliminate the need for the current citizen review board and move the hearing of these cases to Probate Court.”
There’s a Purchase of Wetland Credits for the Twin Lakes Road Paving Project.
And one of the usual: Acceptance of Infrastructure for The Landings Phase IV, which is 52 lots off of Val Del Road on Landings Circle and Brinlee Way.
Here is the agenda. The board packet, received in response to a LAKE open records request, is on the LAKE website.
See also the LAKE videos of the preceding meeting of the Greater Lowndes Planning Commission (GLPC).
LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Continue reading
PROPOSED AGENDA
WORK SESSION, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2025, 8:30 a.m.
REGULAR SESSION, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2025, 5:30 p.m.
327 N. Ashley Street – 2nd Floor
The board packet for the Tuesday Work and Regular Sessions of the Lowndes County Commission, received in response to a LAKE open records request, is on the LAKE website.
Images of each page of the packet are below.
See also the LAKE videos of the Tuesday evening Regular Session, the LAKE videos of the same morning’s Work Session and the agenda.
-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
Update 2025-09-07: They appointed Commissioner Demarcus Marshall instead. Videos: Lake Alapaha Well, Jail Expansion, Bicentennial, Millages, Opioid Litigation, Hightower Road, SPLOST IX, TREES Act, PFAS Groundwater Claims @ LCC Regular 2025-08-26.
Commissioner Joyce Evans was absent at both the morning’s Work Session and the evening’s Regular Session, but they appointed her to two boards anyway.
At the Tuesday evening Regular Session, the Lowndes County Commission approved everything unanimously, including appointing Jeff Sykes to the Airport Authority, and “Miss Evans” to the Aging and Community Services Boards.
County Manager Paige Dukes said the opening on the Community Services Board was because Chairman Bill Slaughter had been appointed to a statewise board, and thus could not continue to serve on a local board.
![[Collage @ LCC Regular 27 May 2025]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2025-05-27--lcc-regular-videos/many.jpg)
Collage @ LCC Regular 27 May 2025
Director of Engineering Services Chad McLeod clarified which parts of which roads would be resurfaced if the county gets the GDOT LRA funds.
Finance Director Stephanie Black said it’s a mid-size excavator that Public Works wants, following up from discussion in the Work Session.
County Manager Paige Dukes said Val Del Road work began at North Valdosta Road that day (yesterday) and there’s a county facebook page about it. She indicated a meeting with FEMA and a need to deal with less federal funds and more local preparedness. She also talked about SPLOST IX, the Metropolitan Planning Organization, the civic center, and emergency operations, rattling off a string of dates. Seems like she could provide a written report if she expects people to remember those dates. She did say the bicentennial dates would be updated on the county’s website, although I cannot find them there.
Commissioner Demarcus Marshall Scottie Orenstein wanted to know if there was any update on the animal shelter.
Chad McLeod said the RFP was 90% approved.
There were no Citizens Wishing to Be Heard.
Below are LAKE videos of each agenda item, with a few notes by John S. Quarterman, followed by a LAKE video playlist. There are some one-second gaps between videos, because I was using my phone, which does not cycle off and on quickly enough. Plus one towards the beginning of the Minutes item, because I accidentally bumped it off and had to turn it back on.
See also the Continue reading
![[Videos: R-21 to E-A rezoning, Jail door lock & skylight @ LCC Work, Subdivision Infrastructure & LMIG, Partnership Health Center 2026-08-10]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2026-08-10--lcc-work-videos/many.jpg)
![[Collage @ LCC 14 October 2025]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2025-10-14--lcc-work-videos/many.jpg)
![[Packet: Airport, Aging, Service, Board Appointments @ LCC 2025-05-27, $1,677,028.92 LRA funds via GDOT LMIG, Public Works mini-excavator bid]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2025-05-27--lcc-packet/many.jpg)