Board of Commissioners - Regular Meeting

Good evening. Good evening. Good evening.

It's good to have a full house. Good to see everyone. Thank you for coming. Uh good to be here. Let me go ahead and say happy new year to everyone. [clears throat] I hadn't seen everyone, so happy new year. I see some of you giving it back to appreciate that. Happy new year to everyone. and look forward to a prosperous 2026. So, thank you so much for coming. It's a great day. Anytime that we can recognize anyone, but especially our young people for accomplishments, we certainly take pleasure and great pride in doing that. We say y'all make us Liberty County proud. So, today's another Liberty County starting the year off right with a great Liberty County proud day. But, but to start off right, uh Mr. Mosley has the medium and been properly advertised. Thank you, sir. And I think I saw Bishop Page. There he is. Will you please come and lead us? Let's all stand for our prayer first and our pledge, please. And happy new year as well. Let us pray. Most holy and righteous father, we come to you this evening to thank you for for bringing us through 2025 into 2026. for this meeting for this county commissioners as we for our complete healing of the county commissioner Eddie Walden as he's home recovering. We ask you to comfort the family as u they laid to rest uh Kathy Walden as as well. We pray for all the commissioners families for every assistant for every clerk for every lawyer for every security team the the secretaries the presenters for tonight. Give the county commissioners the wisdom they need to make the right decisions for Liberty County. As this county is continued to grow, we ask them ask you to give them the understanding they need for this growing county. For we truly county proud. It's in Jesus name we do pray and give you praise. Amen.

Amen. Let us pray. Let's pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you. Well, we in the classroom at school. Uh very quickly, I want to do this. Um young people, just hang on for a minute. We coming your way. We coming your way. Um, [clears throat] as as the prayer indicated, we certainly are praying for the Walden family uh in their loss. And uh we asked prayers of the bishop to cover them as they go through this. Um I don't know if he wants me to say it or not, but there's somebody in the audience who had a loss too. I won't call them out because I don't want to, you know, get him and messed up, but but he know who he is and we praying for that family also. If you do, just let me say the Miller family. Just let me say the Miller family. Um, for a uh just a note for me, there's been some talk been some media talk about taxes. [clears throat] I remind our citizens that the the tax assessments go out in the month of May. They go out in the month of May. So, you have 90 days to go through the tax assessor's office to review how your property is listed and what exemptions you may or may not have. that that bill goes out in excuse me the notice goes out in May and your bill don't come until you just received it maybe a week or so ago. So don't wait until the bill goes out. Go out go to tax assess office right downstairs and talk to that office about your uh your taxes and your exemptions. [clears throat] Uh there's still some confusion about floss f l which we thank you for approving but now some people thought floss would start immediately but no we have to collect the taxes all this year and then next year we'll apply those pennies that you spend to help with your property taxes. So you got to collect it all of this year and then when you get the property bill tax bills out the next time then we'll apply floss to help with that. That's kind of how that works. It doesn't start the day when you just voted for it in November. So now you got to collect the pennies to help to defay your tax costs. I hope that's that's clear. Uh but if not, you know, that's also something that you can come to this

office or downstairs assess office. We'll all help you with that. Um I want to invite now my county attorney up very quickly. There's been some questions. We're getting emails about participation. I we've kind of tried to explain this before. I'm going to try it again. Meaning to have us a printed brochure so everyone understand how it works with the county. Very quickly, just let me say that each government is different. So what you may see one government do may not be what the other government does. I.e. we pray school board just have a a moment of silence. That's just a difference between us. All right. So every government is not the same. But I want my county attorney to explain. I know there's some in the audience who were asking earlier ask even via email about public participation. Mr. Davis if it will please.

Evening everybody and you're right commissioner. Uh many of jurisdictions allow a public comment period with the city or county for their public meetings. The board of commissioners long-standing policy is is not to do that. Uh your agenda is a business item agenda where typically you primarily consider only action items. Uh public comment is required is required by state law uh and resoning hearings and things of that nature. But as a general matter, public comment isn't allowed on the items before the board of commissioners at your meetings. But that doesn't foreclose comment by the public. You number of avenues where the public can comment on any items. They can contact commissioners directly. They can contact Mr. Mosley, the county manager. So, there are a number of opportunities for the public to voice their concerns or um you know, discuss items that are on the agenda before the board of commissioners. But no, neither your board of neither your code of ordinances or state law require you to have uh public comment. And in my memory, I don't think the board has ever had public comment on its uh agenda items. Um I'll be happy to answer any questions any commissioner may have. We'll just hang around in case someone wants to speak with you.

Sure. I'll be happy to discuss this with any any citizen who they can step outside and have full discussion. Thank you so much for that, sir. I appreciate it. All right, Mr. Ricky Gillard, come forward and tell us what we're getting ready to help celebrate. We're going to celebrate our 10 boys and 10 girls cheerleader state champs. Uh we played uh in Tiffan for the state champ on Sunday. On Saturday, we defeated Tiff County and and then we we got a forfeit from Peach County. They didn't show. They know what was going to happen. They got scared. [laughter] And then the next Sunday, we went back the next weekend and we beat a good caring team.

Hey, that's Ken. Yeah, Peach. But I mean, I'm sorry, but we we we won two games over there and and but then for the championship, the 10 boys, they defeated Carton and we want to honor them tonight. And this a program we y'all started. So this our second state football championship because football didn't stop having state championship to 2018. We won eight boys, now we got a 10 boys. Uh Coach Millis come forward. Coach Green and Coach Johnson come forward. These are the coaches. [applause]

[applause] All our coaches are volunteers and without volunteers coaches we couldn't run the sports program in the county and we wanted to honor them tonight to let you know. So let's give them a a round of applause for that. [applause] Thank you guys. We had a successful year. You know, in the football, we did very good and we did some good things this year at the county. We got one state championship, one run up, and we had five, six district champs and some district runners. So, we're proud of that for the county. But we going to honor them with these certificates that's been made up for the county here tonight. Okay, come on down, chair. Let's go down. [clears throat]

I'll stand over there with you, please. All right, Stephen. Grab me. Yeah, let them get out.

Just one one at a time. I can't get one at a time. People start at your right foot. I guess you're right.

First up, we have Galani Brooks. [applause]

[applause] Anthony Kanty Jr. [applause]

Congratulations Royal Cred. [applause] Jonathan Kusper, [applause]

Jaden Dodge. [applause]

Dallas Datson, [applause]

Zalen Duncan, [applause] Maris Galden, [applause]

Javon Green, [applause]

Tristan Green, [applause] L. Hornsby, [applause]

Byron Johnson, [applause]

Joshua Joseph, [applause] Christopher Lee, [applause] Kayen Miller, [applause] Kaden Stevens, [applause]

Elijah White. [applause] And now we have our cheerleaders. [applause] Coach,

coach Ashley Brown. [applause] Coach Pamela Batson, [applause]

Coach Christopher Miller, [applause] Coach Bernard Green, [applause]

Coach Byron Johnson, senior [applause]

Cadence Botammeer, [applause]

Hadley Brown, [applause]

Nova Gardner, [applause]

Josie Howser, [applause] Summer Johnson, [applause] Allayia Malone, [applause]

Leilani Scott. [cheering] [applause] Imar Mosley. [applause] I crashed out everybody over here. Cheerleaders and all. Come on. You got to come in some more.

Come here. Come here. Come here. Come here. Come here. Good. There's a bunch want to take some. So, I'm going to count I'm going to count off from three. Commissioner Yo, you can count from three, right? Ricky taught you how. All right. Here we go. One, two, three. All right. Couple more. Here we go. One, two, three. And one more. Here we go. One, two, three.

Good.

Thank y'all. [applause] [cheering] [applause] Come on here. All right, we got a treat. We got a treat. Come on, cheerleader. They going to show them what they did to help the top win.

Come on. Give them a hand. Encourage them. [cheering] [applause] Show them what you're working with. All right. Stop and shake it.

We want to see you and shake it. [screaming] Stop and shake it. If you're a man, we want to see you [applause] and shake it. Stop and shake it. If you're a Liberty, we want to see you [applause] and shake it. [screaming] Stomp and shake it. [cheering] Thank you for stopping and shaking the county commission.

I want to appreciate these parents. We appreciate these parents. Thank you parents so much for making sure this kid where they have to go. Stick with them. One day we'll see him you know middle school, high school and beyond. The potential is here. Thank you. Thank you coaches for your sacrifice to make this happen. All right. This time you all are welcome to be excused.

All right. Okay, stop. That's all right. Hey,

too. D.

Appreciate those young people again for their achievements. Thanks all those persons who worked with them to make it happen. I want to say this because it comes to mind. Sometimes [clears throat] we get the question, you know, where do my tax monies go? That's one place where your tax moneyies go and you get to see the benefit of it in those children lives and you know uh we we do like the part that generally you got to keep your school work up participate. So these young people are heading the right direction. We just got to work with them to keep them on the path. But we thank our recreation staff for working with them. All those parents everybody contribute to that success. But when they succeed we we [clears throat] succeed and does make us feel Liberty County proud. So, just wanted to say that's a good example of where some of your tax dollars go to help those young people and they're doing very well. Going right into new business now, conditional use requests. Mr. Rickson, good evening, sir. Happy New Year to you.

Good evening. Happy New Year. [clears throat] Our first uh zoning item tonight is a conditional use request that's been submitted by uh for uh for a type B home occupation that was submitted by owners Dismas and Jasmine Williams. Uh they want to have a base of operations commissary for a food truck at their residence. Their residence is located in the Limmerch area at 138 Drayton Court and unincorporated county. And you can see there their partial number. And this is the ad that we ran in the coastal courier and the sign that we posted in their front yard. And you can see here this is Limmerch Road. Uh this is Limmerick subdivision. there right here on the corner of uh David uh David Road right there in the curve. So they got a large irregular shaped lot and this is a closeup showing the showing the um see there the house they're proposing to put the uh the commissary building in the back just a storage portable storage building and then the trailer will also be stored back in the rear of the property as well. Again that's on the curb at at Drayton Court. And the zoning map, uh, this this property, as is all of the Limmerch subdivision, is zone PUD. So that's that's the zoning for the piece of property. And the future land use map calls for this area to be um low density residential, which is is consistent with the zoning, the flood zoning that they have. And you can see here the plat shows their house. This is Drayton Circle here. And then you can see the house. They're proposing a driveway on this side of the house to get around to the commissary and the place where they're going to store the the food trailer. And this is just another photograph of the front of the house. You can see the driveway here that they'll use to access the rear of the house. And this is a picture of the shed that they're proposing to use as their commissary. It's a 10x6 utility building. It will be upfitted to meet

the health department requirements. And this is the actual food uh trailer that they will be using to uh do business out of. Our conditional use criteria, there's six of them. I'll go through them with you. Uh the use shall not adversely affect the economic values of the or the physical appearance of the neighborhood or area surrounding the lot in question. Uh our answer there is the shed will be in the fenced backyard, so it should be out of sight. Number two, the use shall be consistent with the comprehensive plan and with the purpose and intent of the land use in the district. Our answer there is yes. The the f future land use as you saw on the map is residential low density and residences are allowed to have home occupations which is what they're wanting to do here. Number three, the establishment, maintenance and operation of the use shall not be detrimental or endanger the public health, safety or general welfare. We conclude it will not. Number four, the use will not create an undue burden on transportation including uh transit, streets, utilities, schools and provision of public safety. uh it will not as the addition as the additional traffic from this home business will be negligible. Number five, the design shall minimize adverse uh physical and environmental effects on adjacent property including adverse visual impacts. Buffer zones where necessary will be used to shield any adverse factors and shall be considered. Our answer there is that physical effects will be minimal and there will be no environmental effects for this one. And then number six, we did not uh determine that there needs to be any additional parking or landscaping or measures for ingress or egress for this use. So planning commission heard this at their December planning commission meeting and they recommend approval with standard and special conditions and the standard the special condition is the one we do with all food trucks. All food sales must be done off premises. So the customers can't come to the to the house and buy the food. they have to do it at whatever event that they happen to be working at and they understand that. So I'd be glad to answer any questions and the applicants are here as well if you

have questions of them and chairman this has been advertised as a public hearing. Yes sir. Okay chair entertain a motion to go in public hearing then move s second. All in favor show of hands. All right uh petitions here you said we'd like to just hear from them. Uh I I tell people don't don't be nervous. Just come and just give us a one minute overview of what you're trying to do. That's all. Well, first and foremost, my name is Jasmine and this is dismiss. Happy New Year to all. Happy New Year all and I really appreciate this opportunity for me to move forward. I've wanted this for a very long time and we selling, you know, food, burgers, dogs, bananas, rice, all that good stuff. It's

going to be a fusion truck, Spanish, Spanish and American. Mhm. So, um I'm just trying to give her her dream. That's what she wants. That's what I'm trying to do. You know, he may have said, "What's the name of your business?" Cholas. Oh, I can't. Cholas. Cholas. Yeah. It's um named after my mom. Passed away a long time ago. I'm not going to get you emotional. Okay. Thank you. Um was there anyone who opposed the um no opposition? All right. Commissioner Blood, any comments from you? This is your district. Motion, I make a motion that we accept staff recommendation. Second. Motion and second we accept staff recommendations.

Thank you. I appreciate that. While we're in public hearing, all in favor? All right. You abstain, sir? I'm just not going to vote while while we're in public hearing. You're supposed to come out. All right. [snorts] Well, now you and I had that discussion and we're not going to have it again. [laughter] My county attorney has assured me that we're in order. That's That's not true. But well, you and he work that out, but until such time as that, I'll follow my county attorney's direction, sir. Okay. I got the book in the truck. All right. Well, you and he get together and y'all bring it back to us. All right. Thank you guys. Thank you. Have a good one. Oh, by the way, I like your shirt. This one? Both of them. Thank you. Thank you, [laughter]

man. You kept my joke, man. All right, Mr. Mosley, second reading. Liberty County order to amend chapter six. Yes, sir. At your midmon meeting in December, I presented this ordinance to you for first reading. Tonight, it's back before you for second reading. It's a pretty simple ordinance. It uh it's part of your uh chapter six of your animal ordinance. And it basically currently uh anybody who lives in a in a subdivision in the county uh they can have animals in enclosures. That means chickens or livestock in an enclosure as long as it's 300 ft from the nearest house. Mr. Let me do this first motion to come out of public hearing back in regular session. So move second. Second. All in favor show hands. Can you

So So currently uh you're allowed to have an animal enclosure uh on your property as long as you're 300 feet away from the from your neighbor. And this ordinance would relax that standard sum and reduce that minimum distance from a from 300 feet down to 150 feet. It would also exclude the uh the residence of the of the person who has the animal. So you don't have to buffer from your you don't you don't get protection from yourself. This is just intended to provide protection from the nuisance possible nuisances to your neighbors. So that's that's really the only change. just shown here in um in in color lettering there. It just reduces the current uh distance from 300 ft down to 150 ft. And it also excludes the residence of the person who who lives there who owns the who owns the animal. So I'd be glad to answer any questions. And Mr. Blunt uh initiated this. So if you've got anything to add to that,

maybe to clear up a little bit. Um this right here would be just for A1 and AR1. That's right. Not nothing's on residential, right? That's right. Okay. I just want to make sure if we understood, right? Any other comments, sir, since this is your good? You good? Okay. All right. Uh any other Let's say we we going to um do the Well, you offer the motion then, sir. Yes, sir. I make a motion that we change this 300T rule to 150 foot for A1 and AR one. There a second to the motion. Second.

Motion and second. Now we the discussion periods. Any other discussion other than what we heard from the commissioner and from Mr. Rickerson? There be none ready to vote. All in favor? Uh show of hands please. All right. The motion passes and thank you is amended. Thank you Mr. Rickson. Memorandum understanding Mr. Stanley in Mcinish County and Liberty County.

[clears throat] [snorts] Uh good evening, Mr. Chairman, board. I'm here today to present a memorandum of understanding between Liberty County and Macintosh County uh for the use of uh radio frequencies between the two counties. Basically allowing Macintosh County to put our frequencies and their public safety radios and and vice versa with Liberty County. This will enable uh Macintosh's radios to work in Liberty County and and elsewhere in Southeast Georgia and will also allow Liberty County's radios to work if they ever had to go to Macintosh County. Um theou is for a 10-year period between Liberty County and Macintosh County. It's been reviewed by the county attorney. Any questions?

Yeah, just one. Did we currently have with him? Not just this is new. They um so we have a regional we have a regional radio network and Macintosh is coming on as part of that to fill in the gap on the interstate. So they're they're a new county to the radio network up to the region. Who else who else is in that region? Sir, Chattam County, the city of Savannah, Effingham County, Brian County, Liberty County, Glenn County, Macintosh County, Long County, Canler County, and Emanuel County, and Scriven County. That's pretty good. Yeah. So, our radios basically will work anywhere from South Carolina down pretty much to the Florida border and almost to Dublin. So, they will be going through the same act that we're going through of approving it. Yeah. Yes, sir. The Macintosh County will be approving this on their end.

Okay. And the others have already Yeah, that's been in place. We've been part of this for a long time. Okay. But we just been trying to get Macintosh on board and they're finally they've got the funding to do it and Okay. So, they had to do some upgrades to Yeah, they had to do a lot of upgrades. Uh on the upgrades, what is it going to cost for them? For us, nothing for us. Nothing for us. Yeah, this is and part of thisou is any any cost is incurred by the county that's that's incurring those costs. So if any if there's any cost related to this, Macintosh County will pay for it. All right. Question. Why couldn't we have not used the NIM channels instead of using another designated channel? Macintosh County was on a totally separate radio system. They were on a V uh UHF VHF

UHF UHF. They were on a UHF radio system. So, their radios would not work on our towers. And likewise, if we sent somebody really deep into Macintosh County, which we have done numerous times, our radios would not we we wouldn't be able to talk back to our dispatch in Liberty County is is what we're trying to accomplish. So, if we send fire teams or um the sheriff's office or anybody like that into Macintosh County, this will allow our people also to be able to talk back to our dispatch and relay information back here in Liberty County. And couple more questions. This will not cause a overload to our system according to Motorola. No, sir.

Okay. So, uh Okay. So, who's going to determine what channel will be designated? Will that be you Erica? Uh no. So that's not that's not what this is. Um basically each each tower in the system has a frequency and this is thisou is to allow them to put our towers into their radios. Okay. Um they will only use our towers if they come into li or in range of those towers. They'll also be able to use Chattam County's towers, Effingham County's towers. Uh we will be able to use Macintosh's towers and Glen counties.

Okay. One last question. with the tower that McIntosh has up now which is I think 300 and something feet am I correct close to it will that help Liberty County on the eastern part of Libby County or you don't know on the east end we're not sure it it [clears throat] won't hurt I mean anything anything at that end the county will help at some point need another tower on the coast okay but I mean this is going to help Okay. All right. Did the communication I'm curious. Did the radios did they stop working at the county line or

No, no, no. It's just just that we got dead spots down there. It's like um look at like a cell phone tower. We're basically allowing Macintosh's radios or cell phones to roam into Liberty County and Liberty County to roam into Macintosh is what this is. Yeah. I just didn't know it was a hard sit. No. No. No. It'll be like a mosquito flying over. Okay. All right. [laughter] Can we identify them? So, [snorts] all right. Okay. All right. Uh chair entertain a motion. Unless there are other questions, Clint, other questions for Oh. Oh, he's got to go bit.

Oh, I I got one more Clint. Due to the fact we're going through all of this, this is good. Lo County of or Celsius has Liberty County frequency in their radio. Correct. For what you know of? No sir. Um they have requested but we haven't approved that yet. Okay. Where is that process at? Uh Miss Hendler is we're waiting on her to approve it. All right. Mr. Moser, we need to check on that. Yeah, we do need to check on that because we do use them for transport.

And the way we do that is the um they want the specific EMS frequencies and that's up to that department. If they wanted the sheriff, the sheriff would have to approve that. It's kind of how we do that. Oh, so they have to go through each each agency. I'm not going to give another somebody access to the sheriff's office stuff without the sheriff saying, "Okay, [laughter] that makes sense. [clears throat] Wouldn't think about it, but outside of my pay grade." [laughter] Makes sense. Okay. Okay. You good, Commissioner? All right. Chain a motion to approve the MOU. So move, Mr. Chair. Second. Second. Any further discussion? All in favor? Show your hand, please. Thank you. Motion pass. Thank you, Trent. Clint, so used to Trent being here. All right. Uh, Mr. Mosa, you coming for

Mr. Chair, members of the board. Uh several meetings ago, y'all approved for Trent to go ahead and apply for our uh 2026 Lmemeg allocation and uh he's in the process of doing that. And y'all said that y'all wanted to go toward the trails. Uh Commissioner Gear has committed 300,000 uh to go toward that project out of his T-P T uh splash funds allocation. Uh given us leaving a balance of 391, the project is estimated at 1.2 million. And what we wanted to do is finish the funding allocation so that we can get that project fully um designed to go out to bid. And so that leaves a remaining for the uh remaining six commissioners of 391,000. And if that's divided evenly, that would be $65,167. And

how long do we have? I mean, you're putting the plan together for Elme. And don't we have five years to spend it? Three. Three. Three. Yeah. Three. Three years. Yeah. Three. So, how much is each commissioner given district one of their elme money? About that much. So, how many have given? No, sir. I'm giving my portion. Yes, sir. I'm giving my portion. Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am. Yes. Yes, ma'am. District one. Mhm. to pave this road or make improvements, right?

So, I don't have any money to give him right now. Okay. Because I'm seriously I'm looking at Mary Todd Road and he knows that. Okay. But I'm giving him my Elme portion. Your portion of Elme? Yes, sir. Okay. Okay. But you don't have the 65 to give, right? That's what you're saying you're saying. No, I think Mary Todd is gonna I think the road that I have in my district that I'm working on now is going to absorb all of my unless TR go unless he finds some more. That's what I was just going to say. 727, but he's asking did you commissioner did 727 for uh each commissioner would get 727 of Elid. That's correct. That's right.

And it's taken 65 is what you're 65 additional. 65. Hold now. Now I'm getting confused. Are we talking about our splash of T- splash money or just Elme money? This would be T-splash or splash I mean or or T-plash or Elme? No, no, no. Regular splash. There would be regular splash or your T-splash dollars to finish the project out. Splash.

Right. So, but my my my I'm I'm I'm sort of in the same predicament as you are, you know. Uh I I would love to help, but man, I'm I'm I'm looking for some money. You know, uh I I spoke with with Mr. Long earlier today. Uh, you know, my my district is inside the city of Hansville and I understand that, but I represent one of the the older portions of of Hansville where, you know, they didn't have the ordinance where you had to have curb and gutter and and sidewalks. So, uh, with that being said, I I'm I'm looking for some money to make sure that my district is pedestrian safe. So uh I mean I don't I don't what whatever portion of Elme money that I have

is yours but I I I don't I don't have no any spots or T-spots money. Me and Mr. Long just had that conversation earlier today. Let's keep in mind board that this is one of the project that this entire board decided that we were going to take on these subdivisions and it's not only in district one where is subdivision that there's other dish other subdivision within the county right and I agree with that but I do believe that the road department can repair some I think They've already repaired some of the They've done some

They've done some repairs out there already that would get it by for a little while. That was in Aadia. No, they did some road. I looked on uh on trails. They did a big patch right when you turn in there where that big manhole big. No, you say it was going in there. I didn't go to look. No. And so what this would do is is I think this is going to [clears throat] re repave re repave and and some there was some ditch work and some other things that that that this would this would do. I agree. If if if I am I'll talk with Samantha to see what my tea splots look like. But but if I'm in good shape then I can increase

my um donation for lack of a better word. Let her check let her check. I mean um there for me I said 300,000 um and um and and I guess what you were saying that you wanted to see if the other commissioners could um contribute and and they just told you that that that they can't because they got their own projects and they need help on them. So, I ain't answered yet.

No, [laughter] number two and number three. That that's what that's that's what they said and that and that's understandable. Um, you know, we um but as Commissioner Steven said, we did take on these projects and and we do want to try to do something. And so that's when I I came up and I said 300,000. And how much do we need total, Joe? You we need 1.2 million. 1.2 million. Yes, sir. So, [laughter] I don't have 1.2 So we need 1 point 1.2 total project cost uh with the elig is 509 and your 300 is the 89 and we need another 391 and whose district is this?

Let's it doesn't look I know exactly where you're going Justin but look it was not my suggestion to take on these I I'm not subdivision I'm not saying but Mr. Mosley, let's recheck to see what else I have that's available. Okay. And I I um did Mos I can't speak for Commissioner Walton, but I'm I'm quite sure I have spoke with him um not about the the amount, but he he is going to uh he's willing to contribute. I just don't have a an amount. But but we need you say another 300,000 to make this 391 391,000.

Let me see what I got also. Commissioner Gill to Commissioner Blunt, like I said, I may not have it. How much did you ask for me? Uh, if it was divided even, it' be 65 167. Let's see. So, Commissioner They're out because they don't have the funds. So, that's Can you take the 65 and we look at more later maybe? Yes, sir. We can. Um, and I might can too if I ever get going on. For now, I can't. How soon do you want to put this out to bid? Tren and I talked about possibly April. [snorts] Okay.

When will our next when when we get a next report from uh probably in two weeks Trent Trent will provide a report. We have our next commission meeting on next Thursday. So he'll be providing an update next Thursday. Oh you mean next Thursday? Yes sir. Yeah. This is a backto-back month report about balances. bus bel and Samantha will be here. That's also I'm not. Let's look at our balances and we Yes, sir. Okay. I I I met with um Oh, I know. I'm in the red.

Councilman Ortiz and I got a project going with for Hinesville and Allen Hurst and I met with um Councilman Boston in Walthville today and I'm you know I want to help the the three cities that I'm the commissioner of you know so that's my first obligation and I think I can do that. So, I'm not gonna say that I'm um you know, 300,000 I thought was a pretty pretty big shot in the arm if I [clears throat] was I was doing that time I was doing that times

times seven, [laughter] you know, all of us. But but everybody can't do it and and that's understandable. But I but I I think I think we'll be able to get it. You know, when when Eddie comes back, we could talk with him. We get the next report and we'll see what we could do. And you know, as Connor said, if she get Mary's heart out the way and maybe something else, u I know Tim got plenty of money, so we [laughter] I think we'd be okay. I'll tell you what, uh if it's okay with Mr. Chairman, you want to bring this back next next meeting? Next meeting and see what we want to do though. You don't want to wait till the fe February meeting. We February probably be better because But I but I also know now and I know all of y'all know this that um

we all get the same report. We all know how much money we all got, [laughter] right? We just had before but whenever report comes out so everybody see [laughter] it's very transparent. You you don't have nothing in your side pocket for hard [laughter] times. Everybody everybody knows. I think they got the message. But but it's you know as uh as Marilyn said this is something that that we decided to do. I mean, we we've had people come here, especially from the trails, year after year after year, and we said, "No, no, no." And then we decided that that we were going to do it, and I think we should and and um but I I think it'll work out. I think we get

Yeah. And I agree with you. We fully understand. I appreciate Right. Right. Yeah. We understand. I mean, you know, I know Marin know that I have paved his roads since I've been on the commission. Almost every year he did three of them. He ain't got no roads. [laughter] I don't paved all of them. And bring it back in February then, Mr. Mr. Mosley. Yeah, bring back. I will, sir. I will. And just for clarification, the money is coming from TLS. Well, yeah, that's where mine come TLS or number five or splash 300,000. Yeah, just as where did the LG come in from? That's that's from we get from the state,

right? No, I was just looking at the funding mechanisms. So number five 300,000 and then the Lmeg is what it says on the paper 509. Oh but but I think Huh. The the Lmeig we we kind of split that between the uh all seven. Well really since he poking at me most of the Elme money has always been going to District one. But but we Yeah because it's the largest district. Yeah. But we agreed. Same amount of people man. Same amount. Let's get back on track. We agreed to so February then that's if you want to be safe. We'll put it on the February agenda. All right. Okay. All right. Before we go to your report, uh, Mr. Well, do you you're going to

chairman, we need to approve the minutes. Oh, we skipped that. So busy playing football, we forgot that. Sure. Yeah, we sure did. I got Well, let me go and do this. Okay. Uh, chair had a motion to approve the minutes. So move. Second. Second. All in favor? So approved. Let me go and do this for your report then. Uh but before we get off the taxes, I want to make sure FLOS started January 1st. Yes, ma'am. This year this year. So sales tax in Liberty County is now 9 8 the the the the T-splash won't go T- splash won't go into effect until April 1 then it go to nine.

Okay. Then it will go to 9. I was kind of checking to make sure, you know, if I go somewhere, I want to make sure they're doing collecting. Secret shopper. Yeah. Or I might need to tell them that we did be short if you don't collect. Actually, I kind of caught that back in October when when the tea splash went out. People were still charging eight. That's right. A couple places were still charging eight. Their computers. Anyway, it goes to nine in April. Yes, ma'am. April 1st. April 1st. bag on T- spots. Moses, what are you going to How you going to handle it when they cut out the penny? When they cut out the penny? I [laughter] don't know, sir. Oh, I know. That's a national problem, sir. [laughter]

Mr. M. Yes, ma'am. All right. So, your report, then I'll come back.

Uh, Mr. Chair, two things briefly is, uh, EMA will be conducting a public hearing next Wednesday on the 14th here at 1:30 and they're soliciting input on the 2026 hazard mitigation plan. They're asking all citizens to come out and uh voice their concerns and come and and hear about the plan. And also on tomorrow, we'll be visiting GOT, Department of Transportation District Engineer to discuss several projects uh to see if we can get some uh state funding to help us out. And uh also lastly wanted to share that uh Brabberry Park is the equipment there is is about 80 to 90%. Uh they're going to finish putting in the um rubbers and the uh mulching around it, but they want to do all that at the same time. The guys had to leave and go to Atlanta, take care of project. Uh when they come back, they're going to start putting up the equipment, installing equipment at um Jesse Stevens, and then the last one will be Susie King Taylor. And they, like I said, they'll come back and put in the mulch and putting all the other amenities that that go

right now about 50% at Jesse City.

Okay. Once again, it's looking real good. And ladies and gentlemen, that's where your tax dollars are going. In this case, it's Splice that's paying for those things. So, don't let it listen. There was a comment made that I'm going to go ahead and say it that people were tricked into approving splass and floss, [snorts] I guess. Yeah. Tlosa. There's no tricks in the game. This this is what T- Plaza does for you. If without these funds and you hear the numbers that being given that without those T plus fund we would not be able to do the work we're trying to do in in the trails um and of course FL is going to help us as we commissioner thrift indicated the pennies are being collected now and we will use those funds of course to help to defay your property taxes. So, don't let anyone fool you that that this is not good use of your that that we um take advantage of your confidence and that this is not good use of your funds because it really is the evidence the proof is in the pudding as they say.

Let me get off my high horse now. Thanks. [laughter] That's all your report, sir? Yes, sir. Uh Mr. I got a question for Mr. Mr. Mos. We were supposed to be getting a spreadsheet on projects. We talked about it from up here one time. I I'll have one report you asked me. I'll have that ready for you next week. Okay. I'm talking about we were supposed to be getting a spreadsheet of all projects that we got going on in the county. Okay. You remember that one? No, sir. But I'll I'll put together one for you. Okay. Yeah. Talking about road buildings, everything that we had going on. We had talked about it from up here. We We'll put remember that a little bit. We'll put it together. Yeah. I I would love to see that. Yes, sir. We'll put it together.

All right. Uh, I was reminded I didn't I didn't give it a chance to say happy new year. Commissioner Stevens, tell the tell the people happy new year from District 1. To everyone that's left and those who are listening, happy new year. We've had some good days. We've had some bad days. The same four more. Thank you, sir. Commissioner Frasier two.

This work. Okay, cool. Uh to to everyone that's still audience and also the ones that's on social media. Happy New Year. Uh uh before I my entire life mostly [clears throat] uh my father and his father served together actually my science teacher uh and I get to serve with him up here. So uh you know with heavy hearts you know just want to just keep the Walden family in their in their prayers. Uh then also my family uh we had an unexpected loss in our family. Uh my family in in Alabama and Birmingham. Uh and just check on your people. Mental health is very very serious. Uh I just recently lost one of my cousins. Um actually she took her own life uh the day after Christmas. So with that being said, just make sure just check on on your people. You know, mental health is very very serious. Uh in in this current climate, it has really affected everyone. You know, um and you know, some people might not take it to to that extreme, but people go through stuff every day. So, first try to be kind to people because you never know what people are going through, you know. Uh just a a nice little word one day could save somebody's life. Uh also, uh to my fellow commissioners, you know, uh wow, I haven't been up here 28 years, but I've been [clears throat] up here 13 now. Uh and it's been truly a blessing. Uh but we still have a lot of work to do. Uh Mr. Chair, I've requested for numerous years for us to look at

some type of revenue generating project to help offset our taxes. Uh our taxes have tremendously went up in the last 10 years. Uh 10 years ago, our miller rate where we sit today was at a 14. Now when we sit here today, it's at 20. And I've been asking forever for us to look at a revenue generating project. I've been asking forever to look at some type of Liberty County Economic Development Authority so we could push more commercial growth. And I'm just begging I'm at the point now I'm begging I'm begging for us to move forward on on some something. You know, it it was a time where where the board education was the one with the highest tax, but now it's us. It's us. And we can't blame nobody but us. And I understand we brought in public safety. I understand that. But we two things could be right. Yes, we needed to increase public safety, but we also need to look at some type of economic development authority to offset. That's the reason why Hinesville is able to reduce it every year because they have those mechanisms in place. They're bringing the commercial growth. We're bringing residential. And Brienne said it at our countywide workshop. Commercial growth. Commercial cost us 60 cent. Residential cost uses a$120 on every dollar. The math's not mathing. It's time for us to do something. And again, Mr. Chair, I'm begging that we do something. Thank you.

Thank you. I just made one comment. Um, you know this and commissioner of the Hinesville does not have to give the exemptions that we do. That's only on the county side that we give those and there's a major portion of our budget exemptions that we have to give. Uh so therefore um they're able to and we appreciate what they've done. It's citizensville. So I appreciate everything they do. But uh the it's not all apples apples when it comes to how we compute millage rates between the uh city of Heinesville and Liberty County. All the other municipalities because we're the only ones that give the the exemptions. Everybody just get to enjoy uh the fruit thereof. And we don't mind because these people who a lot of people who apply for the exemptions, I mean they've done they've done a lot, you know. Right.

I don't I don't hold that against them, but it still has to be uh that slack has to be taken care of and it gets spread out among the other citizens. That's just how it works. Right. And and Mr. Sheriff, just for clarification, I'm I'm not I'm not trying to compare both. I'm just saying what I feel like we need to do on our on our side. All right.

I'm I'm not I'm not focused on Hinesville. I'm a citizen of Hinesville. But with all the respect, Mr. chair, you asked me to go to every municipality and get get support from their mayors, and that's what I did. I brought all that information back. I've been working diligently to try to get this economic development authority off the ground. I put the structure together. I've I've met with the county attorney. I met with our assistant county administrator. I met with our administrator. I've I've checked off everything that was requested of me and I still to this day don't know where we're at with that and I'm just asking for some type of guidance in and moving forward to look at some type of way to offset the burden that we do have. And I I understand what you're saying. I I totally understand what you're saying about the about the obligations that we have from the Constitution. I I I'm on the board of managers. I I get it. But what I'm saying is we're we're not even looking at all the opportunities that we do have. And I'm and I've been saying this forever. If we don't get on board now, we're going to be so behind. We're not ever going to be able to catch up again. If you look at that new exit off of Brian County, just go look at it. Just go look at their recreation facilities. Everything is turf over there. Everything. We have to We have to raise the bar because if we don't, we're going to be behind and it's nothing we won't be able to do but continue to raise taxes. Thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner Thrift.

All right. Well, happy new year to everyone in the audience and online and in my district. And u I look forward to serving the community and my district uh another year. and I'll qualify again in March to keep my seat and um hopefully I'll be up here to join my commissioners whom I really enjoy working with. We've got we've done a lot um over the past years and we'll continue to do a lot and it costs a lot of money but I think we got good folks and good positions here that um are good stewards of the money of the taxpayers money. Um but we've also taken on quite a bit like uh Commissioner Frasier had mentioned. So um and I too want to give my condolences to the Walden family. Remember the viewings tomorrow at five funerals Thursday. Um but and I truly um wish the best for him and his family. And Commissioner Fraser, my condolences to you and your family. And uh by being a commissioner, I also get to sit on other uh boards. Um I've learned a lot about health over the years. The chairman has given me the opportunity to sit on the hospital authority board and chairman of the Liberty County Health Department, which I'm proud that we are hopefully be completed with our new health department in March. Uh that is a state agency, but we do house the uh we house them. We have to provide the space for them uh in which they work. So that's come along really well. And uh thank you all for proving floss and t- splash this year. And uh the other the one splash. So if not, it takes a lot. You just seen $1. [cough] [clears throat]

That um really is paid, but it's not paved to standard. So it cost a lot uh to pave the road and to do to do things that the county needs to do. And I want everyone in the county, not just in my district, but to have nice roads and EMS and all the fire protection that that we deserve as a county and the recreation department. Y'all seen uh these little ones come before us this afternoon. And you know [clears throat] that that means a lot to have them come in um and uh be presented with certificates and for their parents to come in with them. And it it means a lot that we truly u have the young folks among us and uh that they're raising them up right hopefully in our community. That's all I got to say.

Thank you so much, ma'am. Yes, sir. The commissioner Blunt is celebrating an anniversary as a commissioner. Uh so we congratulations for your one year. Thank you. Will you stay with us? Stay with you. I'll stay right here with you. I'll stay right here. Any comments you want to make, sir?

And uh yes, sir. I'd like to say happy new year to everyone here in the audience. Happy new year to everyone on social media. Uh as chairman love it said, this marks one year that I got behind me. Uh I got three more uh guaranteed. I hope I got many more after that and everything. Uh I've enjoyed it. It uh I'm learning a lot of things. Uh no doubt about that. it uh it's a little bit different till you get up here and you learn some of what goes on and know it's very interesting and all. I've met a lot of good people and all it having a great time. Um some people are giving me a good education. Um but I enjoy I enjoy and I I do ride if [cough] as long as I stay in good health and all it uh my plans are to run again in the in the future and all. But I just thank each and every one of you for what you represent, what you come here to represent. And I hope we as a board of commissioners do what's best, not just for our district, but Liberty County. Let's keep Liberty County proud and what's best for Liberty County. And on Thank you.

Thank you, sir. Commissioner Gillard, District 5.

Um, thank you, uh, Mr. Chairman, uh, board. I wish everyone a happy new year. I was just sitting here trying to figure it out. This is this starts my uh 17th year. Uh when I left the house, I told my wife that after tonight, I'll have um 71 more meetings. Uh this this [laughter] this is my uh my fifth term. Um and I don't plan to to run again after this. I I would have 20 years at that time and um I am going to step down. I'll be u a lot older then that than I am now. But um but I I I enjoy it. Um I think during this 17 years, my district lines have moved twice. Um I used to have some of the unincorporated area of the county, but now I got three cities and being the commissioner over municipalities is it's pretty easy because Hinesville handles Hinesville. Allen Hurst handles Allenhurst and the part of Walthyville I got handles Walthyville. So, and I do what I can to to work with the elected officials in those municipalities um to try to support them as best I can. I think as I said earlier, I have met with them because I do want to help them with some projects, whatever projects that they have and I've always done that and I always will. But I do want to wish everyone a happy new year. Um you know, we do have a lot of work ahead of us. We got some things that we need to do and we just need to just get on board. um we don't always agree and I I see that as a good thing because if if you did there'd be something wrong. I mean you so um but we um we work out our differences and we do what we can for the betterment of this county and we'll continue to move forward. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, sir. Um Mr. Mosa, the chair would recognize the presence of Councilman Ortiz from the city of Hinesville. You all put that in our minutes, please, that he's present. Also, we have the presence of I was coming that way. Bridget Kelly from city of Walsville and Mr. Patrick Underwood also from the city of Wal. Happy to have you all in our audience today. Uh thank you for coming and we look forward to working with you all too in our respective capacity so that we can all move Liberty County forward. We're only as [clears throat] strong as as we are as a team as a team. So team work makes the dream work. That's what they say. So we look forward to that. Thank you so much for being in the audience today. Uh also share um comments of condolences to the Walden family. Um Eddie and I were uh classmates and u course many of you know he he was ill and now he has to uh to to what's the word uh be a part of a homegoing ceremony. So we we uh send our prayers for him. Thank you, Bishop, for for your prayers for him. Uh, thank you, community, for the uh passing of floss and tea floss as Commissioner Bri indicated last year. That was a great win for for Liberty County as those those pennies do add up. I hope that when April comes on so we can start getting those additional pennies for teach projects that we need to do. Um, when I'm riding around now, um, I even though I've been here all my life, I can't help but notice all the increased traffic that we have in in the community in the city of Hindsville around Liberty County. It's not just on some days, it's almost every day there's a lot of traffic. So, there's a lot of people here. There's a lot of movement here. Uh, obvious obviously we are a growing community. And I want to make reference to the digest u property values in Liberty County. Uh, the value of properties that has to be done by state uh rules and regulations.

obviously has increased. So, but that digest helps out and if I may make make a reference to Hinesville, that's why Hinesville is able to roll back because the digest brings in more income now so they don't have to take it from the citizens. Uh but that just just doesn't help Hinesville. It helps Liberty County. Uh I want to make reference to uh revenue producers like Publix is open in Flemington. Uh then they're clearing land now for the Alders and the Olive Garden. So commercial growth has not stopped in Liberty County. Neither has residential. Okay. But it is it is here and we appreciate it. So when people ask, do we need another car wash, another um tire repair shop? We'll take them all. We take them all because they all help to bring revenue to our community. We can use those revenues offset what we would need from property taxes. So we we applaud the growth of our community. Uh but I just uh especially having these other cities in the audience. Infrastructure is a real issue for us. You know, people need the people. Uh the reason some of us don't like to go to Atlanta because of what? Traffic. you know, so we don't want Hinesville to have that reputation. No one wants to come here because of traffic. So, we have to be proactive when it comes to uh having the work done for the we call it the bypass what we named Independence Parkway that runs of course through some of Wall Thaiville. But that's just part one of we need part two and it took several years to get part one. It's going to take several years to get part two. But if we don't start now, we'll never ever get there. But we have an obligation to the citizens we serve to put infrastructure in place to help this community be a progressive community. We appreciate it. And when I ride down Main Street, Council Martinez, and I see the roundabout going, I'd say, "Okay, it's a little bit of headache, but just give it a while. It'll be there. It'll be there." Uh, a few bumps in the road, you have to drive around, but that's all part said, "Please pardon our progress. Please pardon our progress as this community u moves on." And certainly, we applaud once again the young people that came here to recreation program. Thank you, Commissioner Fraser, for serving on the on the recreation board. what those folk are doing and he's right they don't have all the funds they can use to do even greater things. So we [clears throat] have to look at that

when we have the next round of of spots funds. So uh but let's just never forget that we are a blessed community. First of all we are blessed community. So a lot a lot of community we trade places with us for what we have here in Hinesville Liberty County. It's good to hear people sometimes uh from the outside say man you guys you guys are doing well. You guys are doing well. I closed it. One guy told me, he said that for being a a a city to Hindsville off the interstate, you're really doing well because most of the grows will be done more so on like a pool near interstate, but we have it well inland from the interstate. So that's a a bragging point just by itself. So be proud of I think we got a good report card. Sometime we beat ourselves up, but we got we get a good report card for the progress we made and we look forward to making it even better in the future using all the resources working together. And I agree with Commissioner Fra all the all the resources we can put together uh to to make it work. But once again, it takes the team. So, thank you for for doing what you do. So, um want to appreciate Mr. Mosley and our county team for their work. Thank you all so much uh for what you do for us. Uh there are many things on the drawing board uh that are coming. So, Liberty County, just stay tuned. Stay tuned and stay engaged. Stay engaged. Last thing I promise is because of the the the what I'm hearing. Go see the tax assessor's office now about your property values. Don't wait until tax time. Tax bills don't come up to December. The the assessment comes out in May. So you have from May to July to go look or contest that. You can appeal that. After that the tax bills comes out. And that process is not a fly by net process. This commission takes in requests from all uh the boards and um the hemat constitutional officers who we serve. They send the requests over and we get the red pen out. We go through those. There are a lot of things that are not approved because we can't afford those. But there's a is a very laborious

process. It's not a fly by night kind of thing. And then we have to come down to uh approving the millillage because we find out what it needs to keep the kind operation. We've done well. Uh the last uh millage process allowed us to put just a little bit of money in our fund balance to keep us uh healthy which is what what's required as well as what auditors recommend. And I remind you to that last audit the auditor stood right there and he gave Liberty County great accolades for our financial position. So I'm proud of that and this board that you see made that happen. So we appreciate that. Of course we couldn't do it without the citizens also. So I'm proud of where we are. Uh we just look forward to uh going higher in 2026. Uh thank you so much for allowing us to serve. Uh Mr. Moses, is that all for the good of the order?

Commissioner, is that off? I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Uh I'd be remiss if if I didn't tell my son happy birthday today. He's uh he just turned 15. Uh going on I know. Yeah. Going on 35. So y'all pray for me. And and the funny thing about it, I remember when I first got elected and I was pushing for a family entertainment center, I thought my son would be able to play in it. And then the older that I I got, hopefully he'd be able to get a job. And if not, I guess he'll just miss out and maybe my grandkids would be able to enjoy it. But on that note, that's all I have to say, Mr. Chair. Thank you, sir. It's a good order. Chain motion to journ. All in favor? Thank you all so much.