Board of Commissioners - Regular Meeting

Good evening. We call the meeting of the county board of commissioners to order. Good to see everyone. Thank you for coming. This is our first uh meeting of the month and we also have a third Thursday meeting at five o'clock. So, you're welcome to either watch us via live stream or to come in person with us and hear what's going on in in great county. Um, want to say we are we will be a part somehow. Let's see. Michelle's okay. All right. We'll hear about the two 250 in just a little while. All right. Um, we have Pastor Jones with us today. He's he's pinching. We call it for Pastor Paige. Will you please come and lead us in our in our invocation, please, sir? And we'll follow that with pledge of allegiance. come introduce yourself and tell them what church you pastor to please sir.

[clears throat] Well, good evening, chairman, and to all the council councilmen and women. Commissioners, commissioners, commissioners. Okay. I'm very sorry. Commissioners commonly come. No, no Paul taken. Commissioners serving here in Liberty County. Amen. We My name is Senior Pastor Benjamin Jones. I'm a pastor of Christ deliverance outreach ministry here in Allenhurst, Georgia. I'm a member of the MA United Ministry Alliance. stepping in for uh Bishop Kendall Page is the president and he sent his respect uh in his absence. Let us pray.

Father God, in the name of Jesus, we come before you with grateful hearts to thank you for this community and for [clears throat] the calling to serve. We thank you for the diverse people who make up this city and the opportunity, Lord, to gather together as leaders. As our council deliberates on the matters before them today, we ask for divine wisdom, discernment, and understanding. Grant them clear minds, humble hearts to distinguish right from wrong, and to make decisions that promote justice, order, peace, and prosperity for all residents. Help our leaders, Lord, to work together with harmony even during honest disagreements and to always remember the welfare and true needs of the people of Liberty County. May they God guide us with true love, serving the least and the lost, the vulnerable in our city with courage and compassion. We ask your presence now to guide all decisions always giving us strong unity and to keep this meeting respectful showing your love in Jesus name. Amen. [clears throat] I 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, sir. Thank you.

All right, commissioners, we will follow our agenda as printed. approval of the January 20th, 26 minutes and December 16th call meeting minutes. Hello. If you've had time to look over those, we'll share a motion to approve. So move, Mr. Chairman. Second.

Second we approve the minutes January 6 and December 16th. Yes, sir. Correction. Any further discussion? All in favor, show of hands, please. All right. Minutes are approved. Thank you. Proclamation, Dr. Karen Bell, Arbor Day and Relay for Life. Everybody know Dr. Bell is busy. Good evening, commissioners. Hello.

Um, the first thing we'll talk about is Arbor Day. Arbor Day started in on April the 10th, 1872. And it started with just one person realizing that they didn't have any trees in their area. This is an observation that trees are important and to uh remind us what they do for our community and for you. So, we would like for everybody to um remember Arbor Day, which is April the 20th. Here, Arbor Day is different times throughout the world, but here for Georgia is always the third Friday in um February. Sorry, in February, and that's because of our season. So, every season is different. So, right here in Georgia, ours is always the third Friday in February, we'll be giving away trees, 300 trees. If you would like a tree, please go to our Facebook page, Keep Larry Beautiful or our um website. Plus, we will have a recycling fair because we have to keep our um environment nice, clean, and beautiful on February the 21st. So, and we'll be giving away trees. Also, you can go to Midway at the Liberty County Community Complex from 9 to 1 on February the 21st, or you can go to Walville on February the 20th 1st from 9 to 1. And that's where the shred truck will be. We will also be giving fl um plants um plants and trees on the 20th which is actual arbor day right across from Jet in the Liberty County Recycling Center and at the um Melon Bluff. We're partnering with them this year also. And that's um from at

Jet will be from 9 to 12 and Melon Bluff will be from 1 to 3. Mr. Mosley, do you have is it is there a proclamation or just the Oops, I see oops over there. Okay, go ahead and talk about relay.

Uh the next one is another birthday party and this is just a celebration that we do here in Liberty County to kick off our um May 1 event for Relay for Life. Plus, it gives us time to celebrate our cancer survivors, to um support our caregivers, and to remember those that has um lost the fight against cancer. It's going to be this Thursday, February the 5th, at Country End in Suites from 5 to 7. just come out and enjoy, have fun, eat, and then um you can also hear some stories from our survivors and maybe just learn why Relay for Life is a great fundraiser for the American Cancer Society because we want our survivors to have not just one more but many, many more birthdays. And that's what another birthday party is all about. And I know the county is preparing to participate.

Yes. I want to recall, don't I recall that was that last year before uh Liberty County did very well in it fundraising? Yes, sir. So, um SNF is one of the top 10 groups of u fundraising of a hundred um in the world or in the country. Liberty County is 43 and that's a great [laughter] I mean just to know how little we not little we are but how little we are. We are 43

and um one year we did um we got a great award and we're trying to do that again this year. We're off to a great start. If we have um I guess we'll let the cat out the bed. If we have at least 50 people, don't have all y'all run over there. I will wear purple hair for the rest of the month. And [laughter] if and if we surpass our 100,000 um fundraising gold, I will kiss a pig on May 1st. So hopefully that uh make you just want to give [laughter] [clears throat]

give but it's just another way that we try to bring attention and awareness to cancer research. Yeah. Okay. Good. Good. Ready sir.

Proclamation arbor day. Whereas in 1872 J Sterling Martin proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the plant of trees. And whereas this holiday called Arbor Day was first observed with the planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska. And whereas trees can be a solution to combating climate change by reducing the erosion of our precious top soil by wind and water, cutting heating and cooling cost, moderating the temperature, cleaning the air, producing life-giving oxygen, and providing habitat for wildlife. Whereas trees in our city increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas, and beautify [clears throat] our community. And now, therefore, I, Donald L. Love it. Chairman and the commissioners of Liberty County Board do hereby proclaim February 20th, 2026 as Arbor Day in the county of Liberty. And I urge all citizens to celebrate Arbor Day and support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands. And further, I urge all citizens to plant trees to gladden the heart and promote the well-being of this and future generations. In witness thereof, I have hereto unto set my hand and caused the great seal of the county of liberty to be fixed this third day of February in the year of our Lord 2026.

And we'll have 300 trees that you can come get. Relay for life [snorts]

proclamation relay for life for Liberty County. Another birthday party. Um whereas the American Cancer Society Relay for Life movement brings together four million people of at Relay for Life events worldwide to show their determination and commitment to help free the world from the pain and suffering of cancer. Whereas the Relay for Life of County [clears throat] is community- based and driven by volunteers who work together to bring the people and build the fund to fund the mission of the American Cancer Society. Whereas thanks to funds raised through the relay for life movement, the American Cancer Society is able to invest in cancer research, provide free information and support for people facing the disease today, and educate people about how to reduce their risk for cancer or detected early when it's the easiest to treat, contributing to a 23 23% decline in cancer death rate since 1991. Now therefore, be it resolved that I, Chairman Donald El Love Levit, and the Liberty County Board of Commissioners do hereby proclaim February 5th, 2025 as Relay for Life, another birthday party in Liberty County. encourage citizens to let their passions inspire them to take the relay for life message to more people to raise more dollars to form our shared determination against cancer by participating in another birthday party event at count at country in Suites Hinesville to celebrate cancer survivors to honor caregivers and remember loved ones on February the 5th 2026 at 5:00 pm

sir I would like to also point out that I am surrounded by volunteers that's on both committees that's how much they um are community workers I don't know if you want to say your name so they are either on relay they are on relay for life either have adopt liberty group used to work for re uh for keeper beautiful or they're part of the keeper beautiful board my name Scott [laughter] I'm on keep liberty beautiful board and relay for life my name is Britney Fox I'm on keep living beautiful board and relay for life

I'm Lisa Cohen. I am on Relay for Life board and former employee of Keep Liberty Beautiful. [laughter] And I'm Ena Wilson Armstrong and I'm for Relay for Life and Adopt Liberty and Adoptive Liberty. [clears throat]

Thank y'all so much. Come if you will for our photo op. Are you

jump? [laughter] I wouldn't tell nobody.

Okay. Next. Next. Next. Give it a quick change. Relay for life. That's right. And we got a [laughter] good Oh, you can't see him. Go ahead. There you go. Okay, that's everybody. Uh, relay for life on three. One, two, three. Relay for life. [clears throat]

Superman change. Thank you all for your volunteer service to the county. It's one thing to be proud of um how well a lot of our uh establishments are doing. Restaurants and so on so forth. I won't call names, but you all know who some of them are, but it's good to hear also that the county has interest in helping others. So, we also do well in fundraising for the benefits of those persons who would require the services from American Cancer Society. So, thank you all again for for your contributions. I don't Is someone standing in? Oh, Ch definitely not standing in for her, but she is on her way back from Rashboro City Council. So, if you could just please push her down. We'll work her in then.

Okay. Okay. All right. That way we can get Mr. Payne up and perhaps out. Huh? Come and say hello to us. Thank you so much. Uh, so much is being said as [clears throat] you all very well know about. This is his tax season. So we ask Mr. Payne to keep us a breast of what's going on in his office. Your chair lady can come too. So he's doing that. We've been trying we tried hard last year again this year to make sure that all information is out there uh for the citizens to have. So this is just part of that effort. So thank you all for coming. Um madam chair lady say hello to us first before he presents. Yeah.

Hi Lee Steel, longtime resident of Liberty County. Um, we're here to make sure the county is a a popular and um productive positive light and and do what we can to be fair and equitable and follow the law. Thank you. Very well said. Okay.

Uh, good afternoon, commissioners. Um, I like to appreciate Miss Steele, my board chair for being here. I'm also have here my um, deputy chief cuet McCulla and my commercial manager Kendra Belbis. Thank y'all for supporting me. Uh, as we look ahead, the property assessment industry continues to evolve um through ongoing changes in legislation, technology, and taxpayer expectations. A key departmental goal is to continue staff training and education to ensure compliance with Georgia appraisal standards and state law. Another priority is expanding the use of technology to improve efficiency, transparency, and customer service. As you know, several bills are under consideration in the 2026 legislative session, which could directly impact county assessor and local tax administration. We will continue to monitor them and provide updates to the board as legislation develops and potential impacts become clearer. Our goals for the coming year include maintaining accurate and equitable property valuations, strengthening exemption and appeal administration, improving taxpayer education and outreach, preparing for legislative updates affecting local revenue and procedures, continuing modernization efforts to better serve Liberty County residents. The board of assessor remains committed to ensuring the Liberty County's tax digest is developed in accordance with Georgia law, supported by professional appraisal practices, and responsive to changes at both the state and local level. We appreciate the continued support of the board of commissioners as we carry out these responsibilities on behalf of the Liberty County taxpayers. Um, I do have some information I'd like to share. Um, currently we have I'm sorry, 27 over 27,000 taxable real

property in Liberty County, 813 being exempt. Um, the total with those homes with KDW exemption are 8,832. New KDW homesteads for 2025 were 277. And a bonus stat, right? Currently, 2311. um the KDW is not benefiting them. Either they uh their value is above the KDW or the uh new [clears throat] statewide is benefiting them more. Assessor duties. The board of assessor is responsible for ensuring that property in the county is fairly and lawfully assessed for tax purposes, identifying taxable property, determining fair market value, ensuring assessments are uniform and fair, approving or denying exemption homestead exemptions. We are discover list and value taxable property within Liberty County. We don't collect taxes that is the tax commissioner and we don't determine millage rate. That that is the taxing authorities. And this is the avenue taxation will you have the county governor body, the school board uh tax assessor and the tax commissioner. The millage rate is set each year by the local taxing authorities such as the county commission, school board, and municipalities. It is based on the amount of money needed to fund services and budgets and [clears throat] is applied to the taxable value of property to calculate the tax bill. The board of assessors does not set the miller rate, only the property value. Again, we discover, list, and value property. We do that by if you're appraisal, we base it on location, market, age, condition, improvement, and the neighborhood. And we do that on the structure of law. Um the we're bound by the Georgia Constitution, official code of Georgia

annotated, revenue commissioner, rules and regs, and Georgia court of appeals and supreme court. This is our assessor timeline. January one being the date of taxation. [clears throat] January one we open our books. April 1st we close. That is an important time period. Between January 1, you can come and return your property to our office. And I'll explain that in a minute. We our goal is to have the assessment notices out by May 15th. That is our goal. Um with the all the uh stuff going on at the gold dome, that may change. That's what happened last year. We had to make adjustments to our system because of House Bill 581. Um, but when those assessment notices go out, you have 45 days to let us know if you agree or or disagree with that value. Return time. We talked about filing a return. Between January 1 and April 1st is the time to return. If you have filed a property tax return, if you purchase, sold, made improvements, or removed anything from your property, that is the time to file a return before your assessment notice goes out. Once the assessment notice goes out, there's more of a legal issue to try and get that changed. You would need to file an appeal. Um, it also ensures that your property is accurately assessed. Make sure that your mailing address is correct. uh everybody's receiving their tax bill but they're not receiving their assessment notice and they're getting sent to the same address. You also during this time you can file for homestead and specialized assessment. Specialized assessment being uh conservation use forest land protection act preferential agriculture assessment. I only have 10 minutes so again you can come by our office to uh uh better understand these. What is a return? A tax return is a descriptive listing of the property owned by the taxpayer which includes the taxpayer's declaration of value of the

property. But the statute 48515 subsection A. All improved and unimproved real property in this state which is subject to taxation shall be returned by the person owning the real property or by his or her agent or attorney to the tax receiver or tax commissioner of the county where the real property is located. This is the form that you would fill out. On this form, there's a the section where you confirm that the description of your land and building is correct. And you will provide an estimate of value, what you think that your property is worth this year. And this is the oath. By signing, you're confirming that the property listed is accurate, complete, and reported honestly to the best of your knowledge. By filing this return, you understand the county may review the value and information you reported, and the appraiser may need to visit the property to verify the detail. details are correct. Filing a property return does not constitute an appeal. A return is simply a taxpayers's way of reporting property information or value to the assessor's office. An appeal is a separate legal process that must be filed after the notice of assessment is issued within the required deadline. That deadline being um 45 days. Again, uh these are important dates. January 1, April 1st, you return your property. Mailing of assessment notices. We're trying, we're shooting for May 15th, you'll have 45 days after that. Um, and then once that 45 days is completed, the we have no route to change the value. This is our assessment notice. It may change based on the the law changes that may come out. Last year, they removed the estimate of taxes. Um, and there is talk that that may return. Again, you'll have 45 days after the assessment notice comes out.

Can I appeal my taxes? No, you cannot appeal your taxes. Uh, however, you can appeal your fair market value, uniformity, taxability, and denial of homestead exemption. Why am I paying more taxes than my neighbor? And we have the same exact house. Uh, we have a bills. These are exact homes. Um, same size, um, similar in value. Uh, this one here is paying about 4,800 in taxes, but as you see in the exemption column, they have no exemptions. This one here has a standard exemption. They have the local float, which is the KDW, and they have the new statewide float, and they're you see their value or their taxable. What they end up net tax being is about $400 difference. This one here has an elderly exemption, a local float, and a state float. And they're they're the difference in having exemptions and done not is about close to I guess about 1500 I believe. And then you have one with a W5 which is 100% disabled vet um with the local flow and a statewide. And you see that their their taxable value is at $257. This is uh our location. You can visit us. Um we're open from 8 to 5. We're there to file if you want to file a return or homestead. And this is for I guess the Facebook public. You can hold your phone up and scan this. It'll take you to our website and our GIS website. And again, we have an open door policy. [laughter] Again, we have an open door policy. Uh it we if you have any questions, I know that you inate the commissioners a lot with questions. The public does, but as I was telling you, have them come to us. This is what we do all day. Uh we go to class. We we have to take 40 hours of of courses for every two years to stay

current. So we are up on all the tax laws. And that's all I have. Um if you have any questions, Mr. P and your chairman, I do appreciate the fact that you showed from a totally non-exempt same home, same uh neighborhood, same neighborhood. And then you go all the way down to uh 100 is it 100% vet? 100% vet. Over $4,000 difference. And we are rich. Well, we're rich in our veterans, which you know, I'm not opposed to that whatsoever. Me either.

My father was a vet. So, I appreciate the fact that you showed that to us and [clears throat] that's a prime example that I think we have to educate the public on. I appreciate your presentation. No problem. The one I get is the thing about the next door neighbor. they [clears throat] don't realize what exemptions the neighbor may have. They just think should be the same tax bill. So, thank you for clarifying that, too.

Returns are are kind of low right now. I'm hoping everybody this year takes advantage, especially with with the laws changing. Um, if you can let us know what's going on with your house right now before the assessment notice comes out, it's the best time. Once the assessment notice goes out and that 45 day, if you miss that 45day period, we have no legal ramification to be able to change that value. in. So, we're trying to get the word out um as best we can and I appreciate the opportunity to do it here. When does that 45day? Uh once again, we are we were shooting for May 15th to have our assessment notices out. Once that notice goes out, then the 45day clock starts. Okay.

But again, that depends on what's going on with legislative right now. Last year with House Bill 581, it put us into June. Um because with the changes we have to update our our system our our computer system to make for those changes. Okay. All right. But as far as how you assess you do it by state standard which is the same in 159 of Georgia counties.

Yes. the state standard and again you see it's it we're bound by the certain legal um ramifications that if we don't meet certain guidelines or certain time periods then it's it's there is a penalty and I just say this because sometimes this is a misconception too. People don't realize county A may not have recreation services county B will. So there's going to be a difference in your tax bill. that people just think because they can just look at a listing that it's all apples to apples, but it's not all apples to apples.

No, when you look at your tax bill, I mean, the main thing you definitely want to look at is the exemptions. You got your exemptions and then you have your entities. Those are all the taxing entities to your to my left. Um the your net assessment, the your adjusted fair market value, that's the value that we came up with. Uh Georgia's a 40% state, so the net assessment is that 40%. Um, and then your exemptions. Your exemption column is all the exemptions that you have. This one has the elderly exemption. Um, they have the KDW and they have the statewide float. And then you have your taxable value minus those exemptions. And then there you have your millage rates. And those millage rates, as as said, are voted on by the different entities. And then that's the gross tax times those millage rates. And that's how you get your tax bill.

But again, read your tax bill. uh if you're comparing your neighbor um I mean you have to see what type of exemptions they have but again we deal with value if if the value is incorrect then we can discuss it and we we're more than open to discuss it show you how you got to the value January to April 1st is the time to come in and tell us why you think the value should be what it is we we open we're open to that more information we have the better you have many appeals this last Uh, according to year per the past three years, I think it's probably average.

Probably. It wasn't It wasn't super overly um with appeals. I don't think so. Okay. Well, the young lady showed that the doors open, right? Yes. So, hope

I'd like to say that we emphasize, and I know he does, but two things we did emphasize. Number one, if in doubt, come into the office. If you haven't been into the office recently in the last few years, come in because laws change, your status change, they will sit down with you and go through everything and get you the best options for your um for your the amount of your um evaluation. And number two is um when you get that assessment notice in the mail, please open it and look at it. Um, you would not believe the amount we hear when we're in our meetings of people that have come in and they say, "Oh, we just we just throw that away. We don't look at it." And then they're upset when they get their tax bill. Open the assessment. If it doesn't look right, you have there there are options. Please open the tax bills and come in to see us. Come come to the office. That's what they're there for. And they're very friendly in there. So, come on in, sit down, and they'll go through everything with you to make sure you're getting everything you deserve. Couldn't have been said any better than that, young lady.

Thank you guys for coming. Thank you. Same time next year. Uh Mr. Mosa, you're presenting for contract for services between the commissioners in the city of Walville. I'm I'm sorry. I left the flyers here. It has all the exemptions on there and it has a return form on there also. I left those on the table if anybody wants to get. Thank you, Miss B.

Mr. Chair, members of the board, we're bringing back to you the um contract with the city of Walville. Um y'all asked me to get with the uh tax commissioner and I did and pretty much everything is uh this conversations that he had with the city of Walterville. So everything's in in order. Okay. Just as yes, as we discussed. Yes, sir. There's no change. No changes. No changes. Chair entertain a motion then that's between the city of Walterville and the tax commission. Yes sir. Yes ma'am. And then we collect part of the contract as we collect uh for part of the collection they money is given to the county. I make a motion we approve the contract.

Motion second we approve it. As we discussed I I call it I hate to say three-legged stool but it's the county, the tax commission and the city. Yes sir. All right. Any further discussion? All in favor, show of hands, please. Thank you. Motion passes. Mr. Dodd. Hello, sir. EMA M A between uh the county EMA and the board of education.

Yes, sir. Uh good afternoon, Mr. Chairman, commissioners. Um this memorandum of agreement is between, like you said, the board of commissioners and the board of education. We've been in this agreement since uh I went back and looked since I've been here since 2016. Every two years we updated and the purpose of that uh memorandum of agreement is if we have to evacuate we use the the school buses with them. So they help us out in um emergency situation. Um it's good for two years we could come out of it but they they u they want to get ahead of the game. So we do it every it's due every April. They wanted us to come to the board of commissioners get it. There was no change from it from last year and then we send it back over to Mr. Jackson. He takes

that gives them time to sir. That gives them time to get it before their board. Yes sir. By [clears throat] April. Okay. I understand. But we don't have no problems with it and um and answer any questions about it if you have any questions. Excuse me, Mr. [clears throat] Dodd. All right. Chair entertain a motion then that we continue this agreement between move. Mr. Chairman second. Any further discussion? All in favor, show of hands, please. Motion passes. Thank you, Mr. Dud. Thank you. Anything about the weather while you you know I'm going to ask you that weather. Um it's going to warm up. Uh I'm sure everything is cold uh this this this weekend,

but we're probably going to get some rain tomorrow sometime after 4:00. I'll talk about it in a second, sir. Um but it's going to be up in the 60s this this week. I think we have maybe Wednesday night right around that freezing mark, but we should be uh nothing nothing like this past weekend. No snow on the horizon, just some rain. So, the ground don't count. Okay. [laughter] That that was in Pennsylvania, sir. I I don't know about Georgia. I watched the movie. [laughter] The the whistles that I did leave.

So, that there's you put it in your disaster kit. Um put it on your arm. If the house collapsed, you get tired of screaming, you put your uh whistle your whistle [clears throat] and the the barcode on it goes into our app. It'll give you the link to download that app. Part of your emergency kit. Yes, sir. Any other question? I appreciate you guys um looking out for us during this this cold span of weather, man. It's been unprecedented. I've heard some new records were broken. Yeah, they're uh I I looked before I came over to see if they had the records um put out for, you know, the temperatures for this week. They they didn't have them, but I know it was uh it was very cold. I know a lot of people was looking for plumbers. So, really a lot of pipes busted. Yes, sir.

I guess we need to give a shout out too to Bethl Church. You want to talk about that? The who? Bethl.

Oh, yeah. So, Bethl went into uh with agreement with the city of Hinesville for a shelter. And I did talk to uh Miss Tanya. I think they had six Saturday night, six Sunday night, and then they had nine last night. And they're going to be open tonight. So every time that that weather is they get our weather report, every time it goes down below freezing, they're going to open up that that um that that part of the church as a where they can go in and sleep. And we gave them some CS. They've got CS over there. uh we gave him some MREs and Tanya said that they're feeding them. So, it's a it's a start and I I think we can build on to it throughout the throughout [clears throat] the county with other uh faith-based churches.

Let's keep that conversation going how we do that. Okay. Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. Yes, sir. All right, Mr. Long.

Good evening. Uh the first item I have tonight is an agreement to sell the Department of Transportation uh some information uh some little bit of land right at the intersection of 84 and Fraser Drive. Um it's right this little intersection. This is the uh health department building. This is the old hospital for everybody. Um the love the um Loves the Jet Food

Loves is on my mind. McDonald's is across the street. [snorts] The new South Eastern Bank is going right there. So, there's the state's coming through. They're doing a median project along 84. And what they're having to do is buy pieces of property on all four corners. Uh, and of course, we own this piece of property right here. Uh, they're looking looking at purchasing uh 669 square ft of uh property and then 2,291 ft of easement [snorts] on this. and they'll be building a little bit of a acceleration lane so when these folks turn they can get up to speed before they get out there. Now I do know that the city of Hinesville and we do have this in our T-plash list. This is one of our intersections for our T-splash list uh to add right turn lanes and left turn lanes at this intersection um from both sides. And I did talk to the city's engineer this morning and uh he's getting stuff pulled together to start on this project. Now, DOT is ahead of where he's going to be, so we may end up with a different another ask from the city at a later date, but right now they're asking for 600 plus square feet of property. Um, not going to hurt a thing. Uh, we may they paid us for about 3,000 square ft of sidewalk, which not a big deal. Uh, it'll all get reconnected when we get done.

[snorts] So, um, what I'm recommending is that you agree to the option to purchase and, uh, give the chairman permission to sign the paperwork to send back to Department of Transportation so we can get this project going. [snorts] Questions, Commissioner, Mr. Long, about the request? Chairman, this uh, that's where they have the um, the Christmas tree. rain on the chipper thing that and that's where they used to have that right in here. That's where it's been. [snorts]

Yeah, sure. And I looked at it, you know, there's doesn't hurt us uh storm water wise. Um if we looked at, you know, how does this affect us with setbacks or anything of that like that nature in the future? Uh the amount of property they're taking along the front wouldn't be significant enough that it would hurt us. Uh especially with any kind of plans that we've got right now for that particular property. So, I I don't see any real drawbacks to letting this project move forward. [clears throat] [snorts] That driveway right there. It won't. It won't affect that driveway.

No, sir. Their project won't. The city of Hines will probably will. [clears throat] But this current project, Department of Transportation, won't affect that driveway. [snorts] So, it's a very small piece of property. It is a small piece for much improvement that we need. And I want it on the record that this is a state highway and the state is actually putting in that meeting. That's correct. Not the Liberty County Board of Commissioners. That is correct. I read that on you. Yes, sir. That we approved the median on 84, which that's not our highway. That's not ours. But anyway, correct. This is a state project. Highway 82.

82 back. [laughter] Highway 84, State Route 38. You're going There we go. We just make it over. It is still State Route 38. Way way before my time. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Be glad we're not in White Cross. They had 82 and 84 and then they swapped, right? Mhm. [clears throat] So, the city the city has moved their approvals up on the timeline. I was wondering when that was going to happen there. Oh, you're not. Well, I don't really have the official word. I just know that their engineer called me this uh either yesterday morning or this morning and we talked about it and we're sharing information on how it all fits. Okay. Cuz like Commissioner said, that's that is a dangerous intersection. It is probably going to have more fender minutes right there.

I grew up on in that subdivision back there in the back. People coming out those turning. Raise your subdivision. Okay. Yeah. Your subdivision a motion. Okay. just before the uh motion. I'm just looking at the the uh the amount uh and I'm not against it. I was just wondering how did they come up with that figure? Was it did they do Yes, sir. So, um in your package, I'm hoping this whole package would was sent to you. I'm tracking. So, if you look on the second page, it gives you a price per acre and how they came up with the values. Basically, they valued at $750,000 an acre and then they gave you four Yes, sir. Okay.

So, they gave you um that amount for the 600 square feet. Then they gave you half that amount for the easement. We just told it was going 1 Yeah. This is This is Yeah. And what they did is they the second page is they give you some They got money. Yeah. And what they did is they on the second page they gave you some uh market data that they used to do it comparables. But what I'm right I see that I mean anybody what I'm saying so in other words the answer is no. No appraisal was done.

Yes. This was they had an appraisal guy do it. So they did do an appraisal. This is from the the appraisal. They used these dollars to bring it to you. [clears throat] [snorts] Okay. Actually, Commissioner Frasier, that's how I learned about the guy that's helping us with our appraisals on Mary Todd Road is he's the same guy that did these appraisals. Understood. I appreciate it. Well, I'm glad to know he's in the know. Long awaited. Okay. [clears throat] Ready? Yes, sir. a motion. I'm sorry. So move.

Second. Second. We'll approve the uh request from D partners. Make it safer. Um any further discussion? All in favor? Show of hands, please. Thank you, Mr. Long. Yes, sir. Are you Yes. You keep rolling.

Yes, sir. So, the next thing on my list is uh um live vote drive. Um Mr. Mosley asked me to bring it back for you guys tonight. Uh we did [clears throat] have a meeting with the city of Hinesville, not last week, but the week before last. Um haven't gotten any information back from them on uh any kind of dollar figure. I [snorts] did talk to Ryan Arnold a little bit. Um we we were we are working with our contractor to try to come up with a lesser price on the water system. Um and so I'm not sure what uh the city's going to do as far as the amount of money that they have involved. Um, we do know that we have money to uh do the project and go ahead and and award the contract while we are working toward a lower price. Now, the city did recommend a different route that may be cheaper and I have contacted our contractor that's JW Oliver and we are meeting this Friday this Friday morning um to go over it and see if I can't have our prices reduced um on the cost per foot of the water line. [snorts] And I think what that'll do is that'll help us bring the project back down and keep it within our our known numbers. Right now, our known numbers are uh $2,428,920 as the base contract with the additional work that we know that we have to do is $79,10, which is $2,57,930 or our known cost. Now, we do have the money between the mix of Elmeig money, the sales tax. We have the money to do it. It does uh pretty much use up most all the funds that Commissioner Frasier has when we get if we do this project this way. Um [snorts] anything that we do get from the city in the future will you know benefit his withdrawals out of his accounts and you

know free up future projects for him. So that being said I I'll you know I am working with our commissioners working with our contractor. Um, if you guys are comfortable moving forward with it tonight, that's great. Um, I could possibly get him to take it out another 15 days if we need to, but you know, we're getting kind of to the end because we're we're [snorts] holding $2.5 million his bonding capacity on work whether he knowing he can get it or not get it, you know, because we need to release him or we need to we need to do something.

M Mr. chair uh uh [laughter] of course uh you know you you were able to to be in the meeting uh with all us uh two weeks ago. Uh Commissioner Gillard and I we spoke earlier I spoke with the mayor earlier as well. Uh again I think we all have came to the conclusion that this project definitely has to be done. you know, uh it's it's a it's a safety issue. Uh and the road is just in in bad shape. You know, of course, again, the dilemma is about the water lines. You know, the I I think whenever we met, we looked at the cost of

the water lines, who technically that's not our water or our lines that uh you know, just looking for some [clears throat] support from the city. And uh and I think in all fairness, I I think, you know, I would hate to, you know, put the carriage before the horse and and approve this for this amount and then go back to the city and be like, "Hey, can you help us because I know what they're going to say and and in in my Ebonics, I ain't got it." That's what they all say.

Yes, sir. No, I understand. I mean, if you want to put it off, you know, for to the midmon meeting, I could possibly get that give them a little bit more time. But, like I said, I spoke to the mayor earlier, you know, and and also, you know, you know, I'm hopefully I I'm going to get a little bit of support from some of my fellow commissioners as well. So, I'm looking forward to that and I appreciate that, Commissioner Giller and Mr. Chairman. Hey, man. You know, this this your old district. I'm not trying to put you in the hot seat, but [laughter] and technically this is still your district. You know, you just moved over a couple years. You working you working it. You

Yeah. But uh with all jokes aside, you know that that's a definitely a project that, you know, we've we've discussed for many years that needs to be done, has to be done. Uh just I understand. Just the fiscal side, please. Bring it back midmon please. Okay. Now, now TR, help me. I heard you say that the [clears throat] city offered a cheaper Well, they offered a route. They offered a route they think is easier. Okay. So, that to compel the contractor to give us a better price for the water line. Okay. So, that's why I'm meeting with him to Okay. see if I can compel him to give us a better price. But then

because otherwise what they want to do is they want to pull the water system, the water line out of our project and then they do the water line. Oh, really? Okay. Yeah. and and then that just that's going to become somewhat of a nightmare. Oh, that's right. Yeah, it's Dean Al. Yeah, that's right. The the mayor um I called him after we spoke, Commissioner Frasier and um he uh text me want me to give him a call, but we we'll I think we'll be able to make it work, you know, with some help from them and everything else that we have to do. I've um I've mentioned it to um to Commissioner Walden. He's he's willing to to help. I'm willing to help. Um, and we know the chairman is willing to help. There we go. will

you have? But but but you know but when when when you think [clears throat] when you think about that that project um it is in the county that that part of it but that is a gateway into Hinesville and um you know so we'll you know and even when we get it and we will get it you know one way or another but um we talked about it in that meeting a couple of weeks ago that um the city may have street lights but that part of the county from Trinity up toward 196 we may have to look at trying to do something like that as well, especially if we put those sidewalks on a go. And and and that that was another thing that that we discussed about lights there, too. So,

yeah, there are no lights in this price. No, no lights. No, there ain't no lights over it. Just um But it won't be daytime all the time, though. So, we're going to have to get some. That's right. Yeah. All right. Midmon it is. We'll get it. We're going we're gonna postpone it to midmon. Yeah. Perfect. But just just just let uh the contractor know we're still negotiating in in good faith. I will and and and I I I'll talk to him and make sure he's everything's okay, right? Yeah. Just, you know, he he he should be confident about the Okay. I'll let him know that and I appreciate that. No problem. Thank you. All right. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Long. Uh Mr. M. Oh, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Long,

man. [clears throat] He know he wasn't going to let you walk without him saying something. This is not just for everyone that's listening cuz I'm getting beat up about the Bacon Town Road. Yes. Can you explain that?

Yes, sir. So, um we are not happy with the the work that's being done on Bacon Town Road. Um we were not happy with the first layer. Um it was rough and it was not straight. Um, we modified our plan where we didn't have any additional cost to do two layers for the the next two layers so that we could run electronics and smooth it out. And the next layer turned out poorly. uh we found some other issues and so we we stopped them and uh they've been out there today looking at it and they're coming up with a proposal to uh get it corrected. Um we're not going to be paying any more for asphalt for this job than what we got in the contract.

Nothing. Um but we are not accepting the project the way that it is. And also the project down at Susan King Taylor. Yes, sir. There are Three spots that need to be repaired that were supposed to have been repaired a month ago that have not been repaired. Yes, [snorts] sir. So, same contractor. Just keep this company in mind. But it's not this contractor, right? No, I'm [laughter] sorry. Not in this country. Separate contract. No, I've [snorts] been I would have been making a totally different recommendation to you. Right. Right. Cuz I I now I remember, you know, years back, Mr. there. We had a issue with a with a contractor and we kind of told them to stay out of the county for the most part.

So, is is this something that we need to look Is it is this our first time dealing with with that contract? No, this third is just the first bath. Okay. Well, I I [laughter] this is the third track then. Yeah. Okay, that's good enough. And then uh I see on here it says district one for live vote. So I mean if he wants to Did I did I do that? Hey listen if you want to make a motion for district one to pay for it. Hey man we can move forward tonight. [laughter] I was about to say did I make that mistake again? They want to give me everything. Thank you Miss Law.

Go ahead Trent Brickson. Good evening. Good evening chairman. Love it. Members of the board, even sir,

our first LCPC's first item tonight is a variance request. It's been submitted by Mr. Jacob Jacob Pernan to increase the required 35 ft maximum building height limitation to 48 ft. This variance number is 20264 LC. Uh this property is located on Bermuda Bluff Lane and an unincorporated Liberty County. And you can see there the tax number. Uh, and it's also in district one. And here is the ad in the coastal courier and a sign posted on the in the front yard of the property. And this is a vicinity map. You see Bermuda Bluff Lane here. Uh, this is a long uh property that starts out on the uplands and goes across the marsh. So, it's a long uh property there located along a couple of other uh vacant properties. I think they're hoping that this this this house that they're wanting to build will lead to other houses being built in the area. And this is the zoning map. You can see that the uplands are zone R12, which is a residential single family residential. The back portion, the marsh portion is bar is is zone dunes and marshes DM. And this is their narrative. It's pretty simple and straightforward. The proposed house is in a flood zone. It needs to be elevated uh with a standard stu twotory house with a basic metal roof that makes him above the 35 ft height limitation. He'd like to keep the coastal appearance. So since he's on a marsh and he'd like he's well within the other boundaries, all the sideyard setbacks and all the front setbacks, but he needs some relief on the height. Based on the plans, uh the building should be about 45 to 47 feet from the ground level to the highest peak of the roof. He'd like to request a variance to allow 45 ft if it's possible. He'd like to u that would allow for the elevated storage underneath uh the two floors of living space and then the roof. Hopefully, this being one of the first few homes built on the road would promote more higherend

housing and development in the area. That's his request and Mr. Pera is here if you got any questions of him. Uh this is a page right out of the um of the UDO book. You can see as you saw earlier he's zoned R12. He meets all the other setbacks except for the height setback. He's wanting to go up to 48 feet because he has to elevate the bottom floor of his of his house 10 feet because he's in a flood coastal flood area. So that's why he can't meet the uh required 35 ft. Next slide. That's a picture of the house that he wants to build. You can see the 10 feet elevation off the ground. So he's got the two the two living floors there sort of in the middle and then the roof sits on top of that. So, uh, from here down to the bottom, uh, of the ground is is just under 48 ft. So, he's asking for a variance to be allowed to build this house on that piece of property. And this is just a side elevation of the house. Again, showing the 10 foot elevation off the ground and then the house sitting on top of that. And that's just a view looking from the street into the property. and the various criteria. There are extraordinary and accessible exceptional uh conditions pertaining to the subject property in question because of its size, shape and topography. We answered no to that question. Number two, such conditions are peculiar to the subject property. We answered no. All the other lots in this subdivision are similar. Number three, the application of the ordinance to the subject property would create an unnecessary hardship. This is where we felt like that he did have some merit for the variance. We answered yes, substantial elevation of the building due to the flood zone uh is required which limits the size of the house. So if you give the relief uh uh that he's asking for, this would allow him to build a normal house on top of the elevated area that he's required to do because it's in the flood plane. Number four, reliefing relief if granted would not cause substantial detriment to

the public good or impair the purposes or intent of the UDO. Uh no, it would not be detrimental. And number five, we have not uh relief if granted would not represent the minimum variance that will afford relief and will represent the least deviation possible from the ordinance. And we answered yes to that. Planning commission heard this at their last meeting in January and they recommend approval with standard conditions and chairman. This has been advertised as a public hearing. The applicant is here. We had no other neighbors come in and and protest or uh so be glad to answer any questions y'all have. They advertised as a public hearing. It has been advertised and then we'll have to lease all of that for That's right.

30 seconds at this time [clears throat] motion to go out of regular session in the public hearing. Second. All in favor. All right. Uh let's start with the applicant. If the applicant will come in jail, I got one before he goes away. Before you go, uh, the [clears throat] with the house being elevated, have you had a conversation with our fire chief to make sure? I absolutely do. Yes, sir. I've got I've got a letter from uh uh um fire marshal Rooney saying that the fire department has no problems with the 48 foot height. Okay. Yes, that's what I need.

And and Mr. Chair, just one question. I I just see on here saying that uh where did I see that? you know, uh, it said there would be no windows or or have a little space above approximately 30 ft. Right. That's that's the statement of the of the applicant. He's he's here if you want to ask him specific specifically about his design. Yeah. I was just cuz I was just looking at the design. That was it. Come on, Mr. Applicant. Come on up, sir. So this is this is a the first house in this area. Yes, sir.

There's there's a few other houses built on both ends of it. This one's actually starting to build in the middle where the only thing in the direct vicinity is the wellhouse for the sometimes we get well I've heard it more from the city than the county people complain well he's blocking my view of you know so and we rather not entertain that. Understood. Tell tell us about your part. Well, um Jeff, on one side commission, when we talked about houses being built up in the flood area, it helps us out because his is higher elevator, right? So, that's a plus. But man, those folk would come in and and and chew us out about you blocking their view of God's nature that was given to them. So, you might want to address that.

Pretty much the where this house is being presented is going to is directly across from the pump house for the community well. So there can be a house built directly across from it. We are planning on building a couple more to the sides of it, but of course we're going to keep them a little bit lower to avoid the whole variance. You build? Yes, sir. Okay. Okay. I thought you were the occupant. I'm sorry. Both. Both. This this is probably going to be the transition into going into there. All right. Okay. Okay. All right. That's your story. You're sticking to it? Yes, sir. All right. All right. It's like a nice house. Thank you. Thank you, ma'am. Uh Jeff say there was no one who um expressed opposition to the project. All right.

All right. All right. Good. Commissioner Stevens, you're good. All right. I'm good. Let's see. Jeff, this is the only Yes. So, chair take a motion. We will come out of public hearing then back in regular session. So, move. All in favor? Stay right there, sir. Yes, sir. All right. So, Jeff, uh, my only question is, and it's not a bad thing. So, you're going to build this one at this height, but you say the others you don't expect to.

I want to make them around the 30. I want to probably make them close to that, but 35 to still abide by the the height without having to go through the entire variance. So, it's probably going to be the same height on the other houses, but this one might be about 10 feet just with the roof structure. Maybe a little bit steeper roof on the one that I just presented now, but they're all going to look uniform with the storage underneath. Same finishing, stuff like that. What is the contour of the land out there? Is it flat or is it? Yes, sir. It's It's pretty flat. It's I mean, a little bit of grading, [clears throat] but nothing, no hills, no mounds, nothing like that.

Okay, man. I know this is not a question for you, but we we always hear about drainage, too. you know, make sure that everything's going to that I mean, you're going to live in this house, you said. Yes, sir. But sometimes the people on the other side of you complain that you shoveling water from your place to their place kind of thing. So, we're not going to have to entertain anything. Yes, sir. All right. All right. Commissioner um Stevens, Mr. Chairman, I make the we follow the recommendation of LCPC on its approval for it. Is there a second that motion? Second. Any further discussion? All in favor? Just want to know is it is that a county maintain road?

Remove the bluff lane. No. No. No. Yeah. Okay. All right. It is. It is count. Sorry. I was getting two different answers. I was both. Hey, we've seen that. All right. Oh, okay. That was This is one of the ones we could. Oh, okay. Okay. Okay. So, it's New Leaf County. Newly County. Okay. All right. There we go. Voting. I know it was. All in favor? I'm sorry. I thought we did. We vote again. Okay. Thank you, sir. We look forward to your project. Good luck. Thank you.

Is this is this your going to be the what do you call it when you do like a lead house bank? Bank house. Yeah. This gonna be your That's what I believe. I see where you headed, sir. See where you head. But listen, there been a there's been a call for upscale housing. Is there is there a word of upper scale housing? So So this also might fit that request from our general population, too. More than 8 feet make it upper. Truly up. Miss Marty,

good evening uh chairman and commissioners. I am here to present the preliminary plat for the Old Grass Island Road subdivision. The developer is Michael Volen Enterprises. It was designed by Maverick Engineering. It is 36 lots for single family homes that is zoned R20. And as the name suggests, it is located on Oldest um Old Grass Island Road in unincorporated Liberty County. We have Ogal Thorp Pier. Old Grass connects between Isisle of White Road and then goes over to the railroad tracks, parallels the railroad tracks and then cuts over to East Oakthorp Highway. You can see that a little bit better here. There's the curve in in Isisle of White and there's Old Grass. Part of this property does butt up against the railroad tracks and across the railroad tracks is of course the city limits of Midway. This property will these subdivision will have individual septic systems, but um they will get be getting water from the city of Midway. Now, this this is kind of rotated counterclockwise. So, we have Isle um Old Grass Island Road here and Isa White is down here. It's going to be a dead end with a culde-sac. And the outer limits here is the outer limits of the property, but once we get into individual sheets, it's kind of hard to see what those lots at the end are looking like. So, I've kind of outlined those in red as well. So, you'll have three lots that have direct access off the culde-sac. And then there's one lot back here. Um, it does have there's a significant upland area here. The rest of this is marsh or wetland. So, there's an existing road that comes through here. There will be a 30foot easement that this is lot 18 and 19 that lot 18 will access and 19 will use this 30-foot easement to get to the upland areas to

be able to build single family homes here. Um lot 17 and 16 have a little bit of upland that's right adjacent to the culde-sac. So they have and um they have access to

um good land that's right up along the public street there. So, we are starting, this is three sheets to this preliminary plat. We're starting here at Old Grass and working our way out. This is the first. Here's Old Grass. This is the new street. There is a little stub out here. They're leaving just in case the neighbor wants to do some further subdivision on in their property. They have there'll be two ways in and out um for them. This is that middle section. Um, this is going to be a detention pond lot that's going to be owned by the HOA. And this is those kind of funky lots at the end, the three here that have access, direct frontage on that culde-sac. And then here's that 30-foot access to get to this upland area, which you can see here more closely. This is the developable area right here. This is the railroad tracks. So the this is R20 zoning and as the 20 implies the minimum lot size is 20,000 square feet. There's a minimum lot width of 100 ft and but because they will have septic systems the environmental health rules say that the minimum lot size has of usable area has to be a half an acre and they have a minimum lot width of 100 ft. But unlike the 100 foot minimum lot width we have here zoning that applies at the front setback line their 100 foot width reply applies at where the drain field location is. So whichever is um the larger governance basically for these two development standards. Uh the setbacks for the R20 zoning, you have a 35 foot front and side street setback and then 25 feet to the rear and 15 feet to the side interior for those lots. Proposed to be dedicated to the county after they construct the improvements

would be about 044 miles of new streets and the storm water improvements and associated easement. The um the easement is that the pond will be maintained by the functionally maintained by the sid by the county but um day-to-day maintenance keeping it mowed keeping the litter out of it and whatnot will be the responsibility of the HOA. Um the HOA that contract is about 21,000 square feet and then again dedication to the city of Midway will be the water system that they install to serve this project. This was before the planning commission in November. We had to wait a little bit of time to get EPD approval for the extension of the water system. We have that now. And so we're here to present um the planning commission did recommend approval of the preliminary plat with standard conditions for the Old Grass Island Road subdivision.

My question, how does the septic on those three unique lots, how does the septic work there? Yes. So they have to have at least the half an acre of upland area. Yeah. And um they have it. They have it. Yes, sir. They do. Yes. Yeah. You talked about um wetlands marsh. Okay. Yes. This it's a pretty significant wetland area here. I'm sorry, upland area here that they can fit those.

Mr. Volen, someone here from that speaking. I'm going talk I'll tell you Mr. Poland did call me this afternoon and he just got out he had some surgery and just got out of hospital and couldn't get here tonight. So I told him I'd try to answer any questions to help you out there. Um but no sir when he did this he's got it laid out so that the upland area both of these are well more than an acre. This is about a five acre upland right here that's divided into two. So you you got almost two acres. The other thing that um you have to look at in the halfacre that the health department requires, you can't count easements and you can't count uh a 50ft buffer from bodies of water like marsh, wetlands, a pond or anything like that. So, every lot has more than the half acre because it's every lot has a little bit of easement. Every every lot has, you know, some lots have wetlands and a 50 foot buffer. So by the time you take all that, it really kind of makes that lot have a lot of land.

And Midway is providing the water. Say that one more time. Midway is providing the water to Midway is providing the water. Yes, sir. And they have the water to do it. That's my next question. It's not my business, but I Yeah. Water the water is not the problem right now for them. Sewer is the problem. Okay. Okay. All right. Commissioner, they they asked the city of Midway for water and sewer, and Midway turned them down on the sewer. Ah, I see. sort of had to do the septic. Okay. Yes, sir. Okay. Um Trent, what um I know you're not the builder, but what what what scale of housing are they planning to build market rate?

The the dollars that I've heard he's asking for the prices for the the the land that it would be a relatively nice house. I I don't think he's looking for anything less than 2,000 square feet. Oh, really? So, I I don't know the answer to that question. I'm just just [snorts] I just, you know, I I really don't know. Okay. But, you know, I think what he's looking for is a nicer development. Trent. Trent, [clears throat] is this that piece of property what this guy wanted to make it a landing strip? It was coming in where he could fly to his house. It was this is this is old looking at it. I'm like I remember the grass island thing. Yeah.

Yeah. It's old air. Yes. Last time. I don't know how he ever landed. I walked out there and there's like poles been around that airplane tire. He did a couple of belly roll on the ground. [clears throat] I wouldn't be landing a plane out there. Functional. All righty. U Commissioner Blunt. I watched a show about that one time. We register. I make a motion that we follow LCPC recommendation with their standards and everything. Second it. Second we approve LCPC's recommendation. Thank you, Miss Marty. Uh, you know, we've talked about this. I'm like you. This keeps it's been coming up for several years. So, we're finally getting some traction on it.

Yeah. All in favor of the motion as presented. Show of hands, please. Okay. All right. Let's Commissioner get up if you don't mind. Let's bring Miss Memphis Shell. Let's be Let's be hospital. Bring our company up before we Okay. We let you guys shine with your recommendation for We ready. I know you are. Hello, Miss Rickerson. I don't think I've been ready. Chairman and commissioners, I'm sorry for my tardiness. I was in Riceboro. So,

your your certificate other gave us your whereabouts. So, understand. So, I am representing um I'm wearing another hat tonight. I'm representing the 250 committee which um I co-chair with Mr. ODM chairman sits on that. Um so 2026 is the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and I know that all of you are aware of Liberty County's ties to the signers um of the Declaration. And then of course in 2027 um we will have the 250th anniversary of the founding of Liberty County. And so the 250 Liberty Committee said, "Well, we'll just keep on celebrating. We won't stop at the end of 2026. We'll just carry on." And so the 250 committee um asked that we visit each of the municipalities or the body politics and kind of give [clears throat] them an update and let folks know kind of what we've been planning. And so um I can sort of share a letter with you. We have if you haven't seen it the bell is about to go big is about to go to the library. for a while and we will have a bell that is that is 5t wide and 7 and 12 ft tall that's red and blue and um it's got the name of all the municipalities and across the top it says Liberty County 1777 and um we have encouraged all of the municipalities And we encourage the county as well during special days or

festivals or events um to reach out to the Huntsville Downtown Development Authority who is the keeper of the calendar and ask that that bell show up and um be present um because it's a great photo opportunity and um let people take pictures with it. um we've come up with a hashtag so when folks post on social media um we can kind of catalog some of those photos and in the summertime when the me u the billboard companies don't do quite as much business we're going to be able to select some of the photos of the community standing with the bell and kind of like the big megatron at the ball game run local photos of our people celebrating elebrating um community pride um Liberty County pride as our chairman says, showing off and smiling with the big bell. Um so I would encourage you to um just be aware and when you know something's happening in your district, tell them schedule the bell, get the bell planned for that. Um the the second um showing of a bell I bring as a gift to you from from the committee and that is what we call the translation bell and this is the word liberty translated into about 30 different languages based on our most recent census. Um, we want we're giving [clears throat] one to each of the municipalities, to the county, um, to the installation, to the universities, and to the library. Um, we want all of our residents and our visitors to be able to read the word liberty in their native tongue. Um, we believe in liberty and folks have been fighting for liberty for a long time here. Um and so we hope

that you you will display this proudly um in a prominent place and um so this is a gift on behalf of your 250 Liberty committee. But we'll take a picture but you given in just a second. Okay.

The third thing that the committee is doing is they are asking all of the municipalities to consider posting banners. um when you think of a place and you see something that's just a visual that um catches your eye. Um so street banners are real easy um to see. So just your basic 18 by by 36 banner which you've seen flying in Bradwell Park when you've come to meetings. Um so we've taken um the committee has looked at lots and lots and lots of banners and the banner that the committee has chosen is this banner. It's got a navy background with some stars and stripes and it says sweet land of liberty. So the cities won't get banners that that name those municipalities individually. As a community, we all of our banners are going to say sweet land of liberty. And the committee has committed that we will do a buy one get one free for the first five and then after that the municipalities pay for those banners um them, you know, themselves beyond that. Um and for small communities, the banners um and we shopped I mean our original banner choice was $90 per banner. These are only $31 a banner. Um so um so they're pretty economical. Um and then the hardware and some communities already use B already have hardware. Some communities will buy the hardware. Um but we also negotiated and got the company to sh to sharpen their pencils on the quotes for the hardware as well. So, um, so we tried to to really help out our municipalities as much as we can and bulk order pricing and all of those

things. So, um, so that's what you'll see from May through September, both in 2026 and 2027, um, throughout the county. And if the county is interested in purchasing any banners to hang in any specific place, please let me know. We're happy to work with you as well. Um, we're also doing um a calendar on the website and so if you know of things that are happening in the county, please let us know. We'll be sure to get those posted. We're trying to catalog and know all the things that are happening and make sure that we can help promote that. Um, and also try to avoid as much overlap as possible so that folks have the opportunity to do as many things as possible um and learn as many things as possible. And there will be um a big parade, a patriotic parade on June 13th. and we would love as much participation as possible. Um the installation will be helping us um do some things that'll be similar to the Twilight tattoo of showing different uniforms that have been used um through time and um some of the school bands and ROC units and things like that. Um we'll have historic um van tours of historic sites. The installation is working on concerts and fireworks. Fort Morris is planning for a very very big day um on July 4th. Um we're doing um the Army's birthday party at the farmers market um in June. And um Riceboro took all of my postcards, but this Sunday is Super Museum Sunday, and there'll be 10 uh cultural and historic sites that'll be open free of charge throughout the county. We usually have 400 plus visitors in spite of it being Super Bowl Sunday where folks and families come out

and learn Liberty County history and um and then [clears throat] maybe go watch a little football. So um come out the information is on the Downtown Development Authority website and the Facebook page and um so um let us know if you need more information. I'll get you postcards. I just gave them all away and roast Okay. Yes. Got them.

Mr. Giller's got him. Okay. Um, so that is I think that's kind of the information to give you. Um, in a nutshell, the committee is meeting monthly um at in Hinesville City Hall on the second Thursday from 11:30 to 12:30 and and everyone would certainly be welcome to attend. chairman has has tried to put it on his calendar as much as possible and um but but all are welcome whether someone is an elected official or just an interested citizen all are welcome. Did do we ever hear I know the about any state sponsored activities. I know that they were trying to get geared up under the gold dome, but I never did really hear about a true roll out of activities.

No. Okay. I didn't really hear. It's on us then. Thank you, ma'am. Yes, sir. Thank you, ma'am. Any questions from uh the parade? Same route. It will follow the Christmas parade route because they believe that it'll be larger than a Veterans Day parade. Um, so they are planning to line up at the Army Education Center. Okay. Time 10:00 a.m. Okay. Is the start. So probably line up starting at 8:00 a.m. Okay. All right. And the concert and fireworks

they're working those will be on the installation. Um, and they're working on the dates. Last I heard, I haven't gotten the full it it'll be summertime as the units are returning, but I don't I don't have the official dates yet. Awesome. Any other questions that I can answer? I can I can happily say the military, they're ready. They stay ready. They really want to [laughter] um That's good. Really want to partner. Okay. Thank you, Michelle. Yes, [clears throat] sir. Take a picture with the

Oh, yeah. Take a picture. That's right. Thank you for Thank you for reminding me. Michelle, we we kind of will you come around here, please, ma'am. I will come around.

Guess on our website. That's a good question. Slide on in

I I don't know. [laughter] Yeah. All right. One, two, three. One more time. One, two, three. Thank you. You got it. Appreciate you.

Not sure where we're going to end. Y'all figure that out. Thank you again, Mr. Gerson. Yes, sir. Thank you for your time. All right. Hospital authority board. We had one person who had served for some time and that person uh has offered their resignation, tender their resignation. So that uh of course uh required the county to advertise again. [clears throat] And I'm going to let Mr. This side of the [laughter] Yeah. They ain't got for one name. Yes. Take it from there.

Yeah. We um they ain't got for one name. Yeah. So that that makes it pretty easy. Yeah. We um M uh Commissioner Blunt and I um discussed it over the over the last few days. Um I did mention it to Commissioner Walden who's who's not here, but um give us an update on him when you're done with that, please. Sir. Yeah. Okay. Okay.

Yeah. And um so we we only had one um one applicant and uh Miss Kathy um Vilifan I think we all know Kathy and um so it would be the recommendation of um of the board including Commissioner Wallen that we um appoint Miss um Kathleen first time I Kathleen Kathleen El Vilifane um to the hospital authority board. M I guess Mr. chair. The only question is don't we have to supposed to send in a [clears throat] three different ways? I think is this one of those but if you have

one of those boards that they we make a recommendation but they the one that that approved it anyway. Yeah, they do. Yeah. All right. So that's a recommendation. Is your recommendation quasi motion or Mr. Blunt going to make the motion? Want to make the motion? Official motion. [clears throat] Okay. I'll make a motion that we um nominate Miss Kathleen L. Vilifane for the hospital authority. Second. Second.

Motion second. We have Miss Kathleen Vilifain to serve on hospital authority board for Liberty County. Any further discussion? We know Miss Vilipain and she served well already in the community. So hope she'll do well over there. All in favor? All right. Mr. Vilipane is a pull. Congratulations Mr. Vipain if you're watching. administrative report. [clears throat]

Mr. Chair, members of the board, uh just a couple highlights. Uh Senator Oaf and Senator Waro have made [clears throat] announcements that um they would like for us to apply for some of the funding that um they introduced to the Congress. And we have two projects that we want to do. Uh one for Senator Alaf and one for Senator Waro. Um, for Senator Waro, we want to uh do the boardwalk for the Susa King Taylor and for Senator Oaf, we want to um look at the tower at East End uh which we met with Ro Motor Motorola on last week and and talked about that project.

Let me say this. When you hear [clears throat] him say that he's unopened, they tell you what criteria, what projects might uh help me out, might be eligible. Yes. So, it's not just open-ended. can be able to do anything. You have to fit certain criteria.

Yes, sir. And also, chairman, board of commissioners, we have letters. We have two letters from two different uh we have one from the uh Drum Point uh the association uh property on association there requesting that Drum Point be uh closed. Uh Commissioner Stevens and um uh the county engineer uh Trent Long and I and then Mr. Wales met with the um president of the homeowner association and several the concerned citizens talking about uh that road, how it being closed and the process they would need to do to request the board of commissioners. We're currently uh we had a follow-up conversation with Mr. Davis about what's the procedure. And so we're waiting on that information to start the official process. And and also Mr. Rickson received a request from another citizen requesting uh a road over on and it's in your packet by the way um from Mr. Joe Coberson uh at Sunshine Camp Road. Uh he's requesting abandonment of county on rightway in that area. So uh we want to get that information from the uh county attorney and and start the process. And also the last thing uh Mr. chair uh and the board of commissioners is we have a letter from a citizen of of uh that is concerned about the factory going next door uh in Brian County and she's requested your assistance to um to fight this project.

We can we can probably get some maybe some comments for two commissioners that attended the Yeah. Oh, y'all went Yeah, we went. Y'all made the cut. Yeah, I was at the doorway. It would go ahead.

Yeah, me and me and Miss Stevens, we went uh to the West Wind uh town hall meeting last night. Um they put on a great presentation, but it was a lot of smokec screen when it come and answers. Um they said there was seating capacity at 250 people there plus standing room only. So I don't know how many was actually there. Um I see someone in our audience that was actually there last night. Mr. Didn't I see you there? You might not see me, but I know I seen you.

Um uh their their proposal, what they want to do, and I know they Brian County, but with us uh as Liberty County, especially district one and district 4 being right across the Jericho River here, um we got strong concerns. Mr. Me, Mr. Stevens, uh, we're not in favor of this deal going on in Brian County. And I've learned a few other things since just before this meeting started this afternoon. Um, that there was possibly some false information put out on uh, a very legal side um, that the newspaper got their hands on. Uh so there's a lot of smoke blowing right there so to speak and all but uh I think most of the residents from what I see are not in favor

in all. Would you agree with that? There was a local element, but I would say that they showed little restraint to try to shut down anybody that might have been positive. They uh I mean I some of the questions that I heard answered uh some of them were some that I submitted um that I heard my own questions getting answered to. Um this here nickel uh carbonel I think it's what they call it. Um if it gets in the water system it doesn't float like uh oil. If it gets in the water system it sinks

sinks out. Uh so oil even though it creates a a mess, a natural disaster so to speak. I mean uh or disaster. Uh you can kind of reclaim it, clean things [clears throat] up. Um you might lose a few animals but you can wash them when you find them. Clean them up. That's all been done. But this nickel carbonel when it sinks, you know, uh I asked the question, how do you reclaim it? They didn't give me an answer. There's no answer.

They didn't give me no answer at all on how they would reclaim it. When it settles, it settles, you know. Um there's also some concerns [clears throat] of the the trucking of the toxins to get them away from this facility. uh the CEO, I think that's what her title was. I forget her name, but uh about 23,000 gallons a day of these toxins, it's got to be uh they call it waste. It uh is toxins. It uh they have to be transport,

go somewhere. And they didn't give no answer on where they going to go and all. Um there's a rail system nearby. They didn't talk about that. Um you can't help but to wonder what's going to be hidden on the rail system. So, there's a lot of unanswered questions that still people are wondering about and um I didn't see a good positive side down there last night of people in support of this Westwind uh facility. Well, thank you. Pretty well. That's about what I Okay, thank you all for going. If y'all will keep us a breast. Yes, sir. [clears throat] Take some action, we will. But I don't think it's at this time it's too early,

right? But because it's all fact to get the information. So, please keep us a breast of what you're hearing. I'll be in communication too with the U commission chairman over there. That for good of the order, sir? Yes, sir. That's it. Uh, Mr. Men. Yes, sir. Um, I will say one thing that the the yard the uh on Bacon Town Road. Yes, sir. I don't know who's doing it, but it's Yes, sir. You all are getting rid of some cars. We got some great staff that work. who's doing it. Give them a pat on the back.

Yes, sir. I will. And one of the things y'all talked about is we're working on the enterprise contract. We're trying to reduce the vehicles on there. So, we're working and that is part of it in the decals. Uh the decals. Yes, sir. It's coming. It's coming. I remember working at Interstate down the street from Kim. They said Kim made the wrong move after Liberty County was going to be gone. Oh, why not? Mr. Chairman. Yes, sir. Mr. Mosy, [clears throat] the issue that you sent to us yesterday, is that was that the a good copy of what you sent yesterday on what we were supposed to sign? Oh, the um um the resolution for

for the tax commissioner. Yeah. Uh Attorney Davis found his copy, but he didn't find the signed copy. So, he thought maybe you would have a So, maybe I know Maria's out, but I have to wait till Maria come back. And the other thing that I talked to um Commissioner Stevens about was that we wanted to bring back updated copy of that list for you all to look at. Right. That was one of the things we we talked about [clears throat] on the on the uh Yeah. Yeah. Okay. So, we can maybe next work session we can look at that. Yes, sir. Okay. Okay.

All right. Mr. Chair, one one more thing. Uh if if you all uh haven't had opportunity to be on the legislative update on Friday, uh please uh try to tune in and if not uh you could go well I sent out the link cuz but I think it's on the ACCG website where you go back go back and look at it. Yeah, because that gold dome is they fired up and ready to do something up there. I don't know how far it's going to go but uh but it's conversation. You're right. It's definitely conversations and our 45minute meeting with the policy council has been going over that time every Monday. So, but if y'all can just uh that's it. Thank you, sir. No problem.

All right. Chain a motion to adjourn. So, move second. Thank you.