Board of Commissioners - Regular Meeting

Good afternoon. We'll call the meeting of the Liberty County Board of Commissioners to order. Mr. Mosley, has the meeting been properly advertised? Yes, sir. I see evidence thereof. Yes, sir. Thank you so much. Ms. Mosley? No, this morning we had a session and had a powerful prayer here. So let's follow with another powerful prayer. Please stand for the invocation and pledge of allegiance led by our county administrator.

Thank you. If Commissioner Walden is looking and listening, hello, sir. Glad you were able to make it out to the ribbon cutting. And we're continually praying for you. I don't know. I'm just doing it just in case. I'd like to make one minor modification. We have with us today some special guests. Ms. Makia Frazier, would you please come and tell us who you have with you today, please, ma'am? And if that spokesperson would come with you.

Well, you want me to give you a little more time for others to come? Okay. All right. Okay. Your name, please, ma'am, for the record.

All righty, Dr. Bell, you want to make a presentation? How are you?

Well, we appreciate you keeping it beautiful, all that you do. You win award after award after award, so we appreciate what you do. It's very important that we take care of our community, take care of our environment. There's a group of here the other day that was concerned about the environment. So not only that part, but the trash part, too. Go ahead. You sure can.

What did you see? DAVID BURRAGE. I'll make it real quick.

Great. You know, I'm reminded, um, this past Saturday at the beginning of the 5K at the pavilion by James Brown Park. We got to sweep up cigarette butts and all that kind of litter on the floor before you can get started with any event. So people use it. And there's supposed to be no smoking in our parks, but guess what? And then there was even something like tobacco or something. Yes, sir.

If you will come up. You're in the compadre. Yes. Display them prominently.

Thank you again, Dr. Bell and his team. I can phone back on. Approval of the, I'm sorry, the financial reports. Ms. Samantha. Samantha.

I had a question. Go ahead. On the floss. OK, I see it. We've only been collecting that four months?

and that's only to be used for homeowners relief?

I want the audience and those that are online to hear that.

And that's what it was supposed to, you know, it has to be used for. Yes. Okay. Okay.

What does the state say? Our tax bills generally go out in December, but we will be still collecting 2026 floss.

That's right. They went back and added that. Yes, that's right. Yeah, because I was looking for a whole year.

All righty. Just for very quick, young people, SPLOS is the extra penny that you pay when you buy something anywhere in Liberty County. T-SPLOS is one more extra penny. SPLOS for capital IE on Tuesday. You heard me bring reference. You want to brag about Tuesday? Since that's kind of your baby, what we did on Tuesday.

Oh, yes, sir. On Tuesday, we had the pleasure of opening up our new health department on Highway 84 at the red light by Zaxby's. And that was paid for by your extra penny that was on the SPLOST referendum several years ago. So you see by what we built there, why that penny goes a long way. So, but that's one of the buildings that we were able to build with TSPA, I mean with SPLOST, excuse me.

And to speak to the spirit of collaboration, the Coastal Health District also set aside some of their funds. for some time and they contributed greatly to the project. And a third collaborative part is a few of our local doctors gave us a good deal of simplified on the land for the project. So put all that together and you have what you see on Highway 84, the healthcare showcase of Liberty County. That's kind of how it works. Then we hear talk about T-splash as for transportation, so that's roads only.

Road and sidewalks, okay. T-transportation, okay. Also extra penny. And when you buy your McDonald's, do you even think about that penny? No. But guess what? As they say, it adds up. And we're able to do these kind of projects using those funds. T-SPLOS, as Commissioner Stevens said, roads and sidewalks, SPLOS itself for capital projects like the new EMS building that's going up on South Main. All the work you see Hinesville doing going down South Main, that's got to be T-SPLOS dollars they're spending for that. transportation. And y'all, those kind of improvements are not cheap. On South Main

All right. Just so you know kind of what the language you're speaking here. All right. Any questions for Mr. Samantha on the finance report? All right. Then we'll go on into the budget.

Okay. Mr. Chair, I have a question. I guess going back to the general fund, the expenditures for this upcoming year, for 2027, if you look down at, I'll just skip all the way through it, to 7620, that line item, you programs, what was it last year?

And the year before that? The year before that? The year before that? And the year before that? Okay, so that's what I was getting at. So Mr. Chair, I sent out an email earlier about this. And I think it's quite fitting for today for us to have the Riceboro Youth Internship Program in here. Riceboro started that program, I think, what, 2010, if I'm not mistaken. And I think our first year having it here was maybe prior to 2014, if I'm not mistaken, 2014, 2015. During that time, we had, I think we started with almost 40 kids that year. And this year, we're down to 30. And I think this year with

Use services to $150,000. Is there a second to the motion?

That's correct. So it'll go in place for next year, for our next year program. So we'll be able to increase our programs for next year. And also, we'll make sure that we have enough money to fund our safe summer program as well. and be able to expand our youth development programs.

That's correct, because that's when our general budget will go in place. Am I correct? That's correct. So we have to do it now to make sure that we have the funding for next year. But more importantly, we do have some programs that we're trying to expand, where it's not just for the summer, but more importantly, year-round programs to keep our kids active, not just from an athletic standpoint, but from a STEM program and everything else. We had a meeting the other day with the Board of Education to do a collaboration with that. And I think Ms. Frazier, she was on that call as well. So we're lo

I think with the right funding, we will. I don't know if everyone knows, but the city of Hinesville has just hired actually a state employee slash county employee to go move their youth development program forward. And with all due respect, Our program is moving a lot more, I guess, structured-wise right now than where the city is at now. So I think it is time for us to look at having somebody full-time as well.

Mr. Chairman, with that being said, I was just wondering if you're wanting to hire someone I mean, you're asking for $150,000, but do you know exactly where it will all be broken out?

I gave everyone a copy of the presentation. I did a presentation.

I see the one that you sent. What did you call it? The Safe Summer Program? The one that's from 10, the ages is from 10 years old to 21 years old?

Again, whenever I gave that presentation, I said that the age limits, you know, we have an opportunity to adjust. And I requested support and also input on the age and everything else. And no one had anything to say.

I mean, if you want to repeat it for the record, you can.

I mean, I gave you the plans, sir. I mean, this is the thing. I mean, you know, if we're going to be committed, we need to be committed. And again, we have a $72 million budget. I'm not a math major. But I think, what is that? Less than a tenth of our total budget? I think I did the math. I think out of every $100 that we spend, I think it's like $0.06 on every $100 for youth development. $0.06. I ain't.

You don't think that's bad? I'm sorry. I didn't hear you.

This, in talking with staff today, in light of what Mrs. Samantha said about the process, we worked very hard on getting this budget to where it is now. And we're looking forward to, I mean, and I do think only a 4.05% increase is minimal for a growing community. and all that we have to do. I also, in talking to my staff, Commissioner Frazier, they are willing to work with you to look at ways to enhance what we're doing now without increasing the budget by $100,000.

OK, Mr. Chair, I'm just wondering why you all are having that conversation without me being present.

Well, it wasn't because you sent the information. We were just talking about the information you sent.

I mean, I'm always available. That's the only thing I'm saying. So we're saying that we're going to increase The programs without the money. That's not what I said. What can you repeat?

Approve the budget that's presented, and then you will work with staff so they can look at ways perhaps to, what's the word? Enhance what we offer our young people. They wouldn't do that. They think they can do that.

So I guess maybe I'm missing. So enhanced programs with financial help or no help. No increase?

They're going to be, yes and yes. Some things they feel they can do now without increasing the budget. There may be some things we have to go after some funds to fund.

Okay. Ms. Richardson, you just told us we have, what, 7.1 months in reserve? Yes, sir. In layman terms, how much money is that?

And we have $40 million in reserves. Explain that to Samantha, please. Oh, trust me.

Okay, because I was about to say, I mean, I could do it. I've been up here for 13 years. I understand how that works. I understand the 10 months that we have.

Well, let's be transparent then. Let's be transparent.

And I'm being transparent. I think I truly am. What I'm saying is I understand we go through 10 months. I'm a taxpayer as well. But even with that being said, We are still on a level prior to what we were last year. You just said that. Was that 6.5 last year? We're at 7.1 this year. So even with that 0.6 difference, that's way over $150,000, correct? Yes. All right. That's the only thing I'm saying. I just feel that we have the money. We just have to have the will.

Samantha, how much money does it take to fund the county for a month?

Sir, I've been up here in some of the most difficult times in American history. I was here when we had COVID. I was here. That was one of the most critical times that this government, locally, state, or federal, has ever been through. And we made it. We have some of our, our, uh, our employees here. You all know what we went through during that time. And during that time, let me, let me tell you the impact that we're still having to this day. Mental health, the mental health is still with us to this day. We call deny it, but it impacted our, our, our kids, even my kids. But again, I'm just, th

We're in discussion. Young people, just so you know too, this board funds the Liberty County LCRD. All that you see them do is fund it through this body. Well, let's talk about that.

What's the budget for the rec? The parks, recreation, and leisure. And that's another thing. Recreation is not just for the kids and the programs that we have. Recreation is for everyone from nine months to 99 years. I would agree. So, Ms. Richardson, since the chairman brought that up, what's the budget for recreation this year? Yes, sir. Yes, ma'am. Last year, what was it?

The year before that. Yes. The year before that. The year before that.

And there's been some discussion about the necessity to increase the LCRD budget.

And that's the point. We discuss to discuss. To discuss. To discuss. I sent out an email earlier. And we're going to get to that, and I have a long speech for that, too, about the Liberty County Economic Development Authority. But now we have it on agenda that we're talking about economics. That's later, and I'm going to leave my spiel for that later. But I've been talking about expansion of recreation since 2013, about bringing on a revenue-generating project since 2013 to offset these taxes that we're about to vote on. A revenue-generating project. I mean, I have receipts from Bullitt County

Is this on the agenda that we're talking about? Well, Commissioner Frazier sent that in today, so he made a motion. Yeah. Okay. Yeah, he made a motion. as far as to put it on the floor. But I'm sorry, I missed it. Yeah, it's not on the agenda. And we had to pledge allegiance. In fact, it came in today. That request of his came in today. Yeah, I'm sorry. And everything was already prepared by that time.

Everybody ready? Everybody good? All in favor of the motion as presented? Will it be known by a show of hands, please? All against?

Raise it high that you are against expansion of youth development programs. There we go. I love it. Love it.

You were gone. I presented this a couple times.

Mrs. Richardson, again, can you please explain to us? I guess the vote is already. been done, but it has not, it will not raise taxes. That's less than 1% of our entire, actually, what is that, 1.01% of our total budget? The $150,000?

And then Commissioner Stevens told me yesterday that, well, my bad, before the election, he said he was in support of it, but I guess he changed his mind.

Okay. Not the 150. Come on. Clear the air. Mr. Chairman, we voted to approve the budget, right? Yes, we did. Because we worked on this budget since what? March or April. March. Yes, ma'am. We've been working on the budget.

You're exactly right. But your press was heard.

And denied, obviously. Well, that's government, young people. That's government. No, no, that's not government. That's being out of touch. That's what you call that.

Let's come back together. Before we, I would like to recognize Linda Thompson and your group of employees. I know we got a lot of employees in here, department heads, but Linda's just about brought all of them. I don't know if she's going to treat y'all to dinner or what, but she's brought them all. Stand up, Linda. We ain't seen you in a while either.

Y'all help her up. You and your department.

That's right. All you other ladies. I don't ever have to go over there. Y'all don't whip up on any of us. All right, Linda. Good to see you. All right, now we're ready.

Ms. Chairman, I make that motion to adopt the general fund budget.

Second. Motion to second with the general fund budget as presented. And that has gone through a lot of work diligently to get to where we are now. I cannot express that enough. All right. Any other discussion? All in favor, show of hands, please. All right. We do know we can make adjustments. Mr. Chairman, I'm sorry. I wanted to say something tonight.

I'm trying to remember. We brought the first proposal to us. It was... What, about $100,000 out of?

And what was my direction to you? What was my direction to you?

Go back and cut it out. And Mr. Chair, again, I mean, I'm the same way. Trust me. I pay taxes, a boatload of them, from residential to commercial. And with all due respect, the flaws don't even affect the commercial standpoint. or their investment properties. I opened up my assessments the other day. The only one I'm saving on is my personal house. Everything else at zero. So that's the clarification right there. I'm saving on my primary residence, that's it. Secondly, since I've been up here, our general budget was 30 something million dollars. Now we're at 72. And back to talking about recre

All right. For the chief of the day, we found three fire trucks. Commissioner Frazier, please, sir.

I mean, we're talking about $72 million. I don't think this should be a quick discussion either. I talk longer than this. We've been discussing it. But I know. Even if I go by a house, I have more questions than that. And I mean, y'all, same thing. Oh, we care about the kids, but we don't want to put no money. Everybody has an opinion, my friend. I mean, no, that's factual. We're talking facts. It's either we're going to put the money up or not. There's not no opinion about that. Wow. That's the first time in 13 years I've seen you bring that up.

Well, I said to the commissioner, please, sir.

I got you. Use that first. Understood. I'm sorry. I'm just passionate about our kids. We're having kids getting shot and everything else. No, we don't need no extra programs.

Oh, I'm sorry. Oh, no, it's been a motion and a second. We're just ready to vote. No, no, no. Matter of fact, they voted. No, you didn't ask for the nays.

That was the first one. Then I made a motion to approve. No, no, no, no, we didn't.

And it was the yeas. Y'all already voted yay. So it's just time for me to vote nay. That's where we're at for clarification. For him as a neighbor I'm they we and it's not against our employees. I but somebody gotta stand on business. And that's me.

Chair, I'm taking a motion to adopt the resolution. So moved. Second. Second. Any further discussion? All in favor, show of hands, please. All opposed. We're in opposition. All right.

Chair, I take a motion. Second. Second. Any further discussion? All in favor, show of hands, please. Special Revenue Resolution is adopted.

Chairman, take the motion. So moved. Second, someone? Second. Further discussion? All in favor, show of hands, please. All opposed? All right.

So Mr. Chair, so both of these projects are in District 4? Yes.

Okay. Mr. Chair, real quick. Mr. Long, quick question. If... Hypothetically speaking, I'm building a subdivision in unincorporated Liberty County. It's mandatory that I put curb and gutter down, right? It is. So just because this has been pre-existed.

I'll try to make an appointment with you.

That's the little map you got on the backside.

Coming from Glenville, turn it into there?

Yeah, there's been several accidents there. Can you put that on your list? I can.

We can look at that. Would that qualify as a safety?

Young people, just FYI, Ms. Samantha, finance, looking for a career in finance is what she does. Ms. Maria, the administrative assistant, the air traffic controller, she runs everything. And the gentleman who just got done talking is an engineer. So you got to see three different, have I missed somebody who came up? Yeah. Vocations of what you could possibly be in your future, in your careers. All right, and these ladies who stood up earlier, you don't have to be elected, you can work on the other side of it. But they have to keep our court system running. It's a lot of moving pieces in the co

Okay. Everybody good? Yes, sir. So I'll entertain a motion. So moved, Mr. Chair. Second. Second. Any further discussion? All right, people, show of hands, please.

I don't want people to think I'm against everything.

Commissioner Walden, did you reach your goal of expressing your public?

Chair, I just have one question, sort of what Commissioner Giller was talking about. I mean, I understand this MOU, and I know why we put it in place and implement it, but my question is, So, like, prime example, Gum Branch. City of Gum Branch. They have a volunteer fire department, don't they? No, full time. Oh, they shut that down?

Okay, and that's like less than a mile away from each other, right? Yes, sir. And that helps the ISO rating? It does. Why, because, all right, is it because?

Yeah, I know. That's why I'm doing that project over there. But what I'm saying is, it's a fire department on Airport Road with a city. 100%. A city. A city.

They don't want to be a part of the city.

Okay, and I guess I have one more question. Let's go back over to the Miller Park, Riceboro situation. You're saying there is a two-minute difference, and I know whenever they get the secondary. But what I'm saying is, say for instance, hypothetically speaking, I'm a city of Riceboro volunteer fire.

I'm at home. I'm way more than probably two minutes away from the fire station. So if I pick up the phone, I'm like, oh, well, yeah, I'm coming. I have to get in my vehicle, my personal vehicle. Put your shoes on. I definitely got to put my shoes on. Put my shoes on. Go to the fire department. Change into my – it is pretty cool how y'all just jumping in that. But, I mean, that still takes a few minutes. Then get into the fire truck. So what I'm saying is – and then go to the destination.

Am I missing something? I know you're tracking.

So what I'm saying is that might take 20 minutes to get to the destination whenever Miller Park could just jump in.

I think he's talking more so about when you explained that.

Okay, cool. I understand the paperwork side. Yes, sir. When I'm talking about the response side. Because you and I both know, you know, most of y'all calls aren't because of a fire. I'm talking about response time if somebody is having some type of cardiac arrest or something. So do y'all communicate between those two?

And what's the age limit, the average age of the volunteers out there? I'm not trying to be funny, but...

Because what I'm saying is, I mean, I'm 45, and I know I look like it.

And I'm not as fast as I was when I was 20. So the only thing I'm saying is I'm looking at from when we talk about public safety, I understand insurance. One thing about insurance, insurance is something that you pay for it. You never want to use. I get that part. I'm talking about response time. Do you all communicate? If what I'm saying is if I live off of Barrington Ferry and I'm saying, hey, I'm going to take this call because because also with them taking a call, don't don't they still get paid per call?

So I'm responding. Say, for instance, I'm responding.

And that's why we need the rapid response vehicles that I've been talking about.

And, sir, that's why I said we need some 250s.

Preferably some Chevys. Yes, sir. Don't go with the Dodgers or the Fours. Go with some Chevys. And we have the vehicles. Okay. Yes, sir. Because that's what I was saying.

And then we just bought three more trucks, big trucks that are governed by, like you said.

So we've got a station there that's going to 67 or whatever.

Chairman, I didn't mean for Brian to do an insurface in here today. Not a problem.

Almost three seconds. All right. I don't think there's any further discussion. Am I right? No, sir. All in favor? Yeah, we don't know. We got it.

Okay. He said we got one check this year.

Young people, for pointing out once again, you might want to be a fire chief. I lost all my young people? I think you got a couple. All right. All right. And now coming is my Director of Public Works, Mr. Clinton Wells. He and Commissioner Gillard have similar interests.

And no complaints on their equipment? No. They've been pretty easy to work with? They're getting there.

Right, yeah. Capital? Mm-hmm, capital. Okay.

I make a motion we approve to get that tractor.

Any further discussion? All in favor, show of hands, please. Run-in loader. Once again, young people who are still here, that's the penny money. All right. Anything else you need? Mr. Wells?

I know. Every time they come to District 3. We're going to get that straightened out right now.

Senator. Yes, a lot of kids that live in my district.

I get it. Everybody's kids up here are grown but me. I get it.

Commissioner Gillick, I think if they try to run, y'all can catch them.

Were there, on his CIP request, did you have two tractors listed as high priority?

How long will it be before you know? I mean, I'm trying to look for you another tractor, I guess, if you've got somebody ready to go on it. Because I know those tractors, they get used a lot. And, you know, maybe something we need to do, look at every budget cycle for a CIP in that department. Or every two or three years at least because they get ran ragged quick.

Yeah, that's the one we're going to replace.

But his CIP report would indicate this. Okay, go ahead.

Clint, let's get up some more tractors. Let's get about four of them. Let's do it. We need some more tractors. Let's get up some more tractors.

All right, so we'll do you. When is the last time you were in the Schumann?

So on the recent CFP list we just sent out, the extractors will be on his list. You can add it. You can add it, okay.

Okay. Got your marching order, sir. All right. Did we have a motion? We did.

One. And you're going to come back in three months? Yes. You want to run it a little while and make sure it works?

And I can appreciate you wouldn't do that. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Then you'll know it's a good model or not.

All right. Thank you, sir. Thank you, Clint.

Okay, and they will facilitate the project, if I may say project.

Mr. Chairman, I don't know, you know, maybe several years ago we had something like this that came in. I don't know, I believe the county participated in it before we had the 84 corridor starting to build up as it is today, I guess you would say. And we were a part of that, and I sat in on several of their meetings or meetings input sessions, and I see where it worked out very well. And that, to me, 10,000 for our portion. And then what we get in return, especially off sales tax or whatever, is good return.

For three years. So that's a total of $10,000? $10,000 per year.

Yes, sir. Okay, cool. There we go. Mr. Chair, can I get the mic? Thank you. All right. Mr. Chair, you remember since 2020, You and I, Mr. Brown, Mr. Davis, we've discussed the Liberty County Economic Development Authority. During that time, that present time, you sent me out to give a presentation to all the municipalities, and I did so, except for Gum Branch, and Gum Branch was going through a new mayor. I brought back a signed letter from all the mayors, state in that they would want to participate in the Liberty County Economic Development Authority where we would have a representative from

This request came from the development authority.

And again, I think. You all have your hands full with other obligations right now.

And I do know that, if I'm wrong you correct me, that you have been advised, I know by, definitely I know by our county attorney, that there's no need to create a separate authority.

Well, actually, I just talked to our county attorney, and he said it was a good idea. I literally just talked to him in the back. And actually, I talked to a lot of your board members that sit on the development authority as well, and they are in support of us doing a collaboration.

Well, when the Development Authority meets again, get on the agenda and come and present to the entire Development Authority. I hadn't heard that. I haven't heard any of that.

I'm on there. I don't want to name them, but...

Anything else, Mr. Chairman? And I'm going to say this because people are here. And we asked, had they heard from you, they said what? Who hasn't heard from me? No. Who? Who? So, listen, so if that's something you have already worked and is working... take it to the Liberty County Development Authority, and you all come back with whatever that collaborative effort is?

Again, Mr. Chair, again, the point that I'm saying is, even back then you asked about financial or who could run it or something. And let me just say something real quick. Even when we're looking at somebody who could run it, I was just on LinkedIn, right? I was just scrolling. And then I found somebody who I think could run it. I mean, I'm talking about a deep resume in grant writing, a deep resume in planning, a deep resume in development services. used to be a director of planning and development services, and also have over six years of strategic business development and governmental relat

I guess a question I'm asking, what's the benefit of this for somebody? So we're going to pay somebody this type of money to tell us that we need commercial growth.

All the deliverables, sir, I didn't hear once again.

I read it. I read it. A SWOT analysis. I mean, how many times do I talk about us doing a SWOT analysis? All the time, right, sir? So what I'm saying is I don't. I guess I'm in the wrong business. I need to just get into consulting.

All right. Any other questions for Mr. Mosley? Not the chair to entertain a motion?

Second. We're in agreement. Looking for the fruit there. Any further discussion? All in favor, show of hands, please. All right, 10,000. Opposed? I'm sorry. Absolutely. I apologize, sir. All right. Administrative report, sir.

Arthur is on the way. What's that? Arthur.

When was the work session? Was that June 24th or July 1st? The 20, what's next, Wednesday? 24th, next Wednesday? Yes, ma'am. I didn't have it on there.

Yes. I don't want to add anything on there. Okay.

Because what happens is you leave, and Clinton leaves, and... The information leaves with it a lot of times.

All right, Chair and Taylor, motion to adjourn. Don't move, Mr. Chairman. Second.