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To order.

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And

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leading us in our pledge allegiance this evening will be Commissioner Robinson and

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Reverend John Brown from the First United Methodist Church in Warner Robins will

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share our invocation with us. If you are willing and able, if you'll please stand.

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All right. Join me in the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the

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flag of the United States of America, and to the

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Republic for which it stands, one nation, under

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God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for

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all.

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Pastor, if you want to come to the lectern right there.

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Sure.

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Can I

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say a few words and then do the invocation? Is that all right?

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Sure. We'll probably sit if that's the way it's going to go.

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Yes, please.

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All right. Have a seat.

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Please do.

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Leave it to a pastor to be

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late-

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... and hold you up.

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I think my congregation is used to

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us not getting out exactly on

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time.

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But that's okay. My name is Reverend John Brown.

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I serve as the senior pastor at First United Methodist Church of Warner Robins

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on North Davis. First has been a part of this community

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for 85 years this year, and it's an honor to

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be here tonight. I want to share a short

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word

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from an unlikely place.

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In the 6th century before Jesus, the people of

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Israel had been carried to Babylon, and they were

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strangers in a foreign city. And they were waiting to go home, and

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God sent them a letter through the prophet of Jeremiah.

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And you'd expect it to say, "Hold out, keep your distance.

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Don't get too comfortable."

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Instead, it said something surprising.

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It said, "Seek the welfare of the city,"

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or seek the welfare of the county,

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"where I have sent you,

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and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare, you will

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find your welfare."

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That Hebrew word welfare is shalom.

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Maybe you've heard that word before.

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A lot of times we translate it peace.

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But it means more than the absence of conflict.

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Shalom is about wholeness.

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It's when things are the way that they're supposed to be, when people have what

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they need, when relationships are right,

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when communities flourish.

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And that's what God told the exiles to seek for their city.

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Not just to survive, not just to tolerate it.

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Instead, it means to actively work for its wellbeing.

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And God made it personal.

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In its welfare, you will find welfare.

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Our fates are tied together. And that's not just a spiritual idea, it's a

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practical one. When our neighbors thrive, we thrive.

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When parts of the city or community are left

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behind,

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all of us will eventually feel it.

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We don't get to opt out

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of each other. And so, that's the word for us tonight.

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The people sitting around in this

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room, the people that you represent,

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we share one thing in common, this community, and its

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roads, and its schools, and its neighborhoods, and its safety,

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and its opportunity, and its struggles.

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And that's what we've shown up to tend to tonight.

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And that kind of work might be unglamorous, it might be meeting heavy.

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It might be hard

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to get the work right of governing,

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but it's actually close to the heart of what God cares about.

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And at First, we take that seriously.

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It's part of why we run a soup kitchen on Monday and Friday.

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It's why we have a food pantry on Tuesday and Thursday.

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It's why we have two transitional houses and NA

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meetings on our campus because it serves our

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neighbors

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facing food insecurity and their basic needs.

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And we do this not to fill a quota, we do it because this is our

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city. This is our community.

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And what happens here

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matters to God, and it matters to us.

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So, I want to thank you for the work that you do, commissioners, and I want

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to, of course, invite you, if you don't have a church home, to come

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visit with us on Sunday at 11.

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But thank you for being partners in the welfare of this community.

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So, let's pray.

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God, we thank you

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for this

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city,

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this Houston County, for the people who live and who work here,

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for the people who raise their children here and lay their parents to

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rest here.

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Lord, we know Houston County isn't perfect, no place is, but it is

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ours. And so tonight, we ask for you to bless the work

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done in this room. That you would give our leaders wisdom

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that goes beyond just data and deadlines.

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Lord, give them courage to make hard calls and the humility to listen

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well.

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And Lord, when disagreement comes,

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let it sharpen rather than divide.

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Let the welfare of this community, the city's most vulnerable

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neighbors,

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may they never get lost in the middle of procedure.

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So, we pray for everyone they represent tonight, the people who made it to this

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meeting and those who couldn't.

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Let their needs be present with us in this room,

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even when they themselves are not.

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And remind us all, in whatever role that we hold,

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that we are stewards of something that belongs to everybody,

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and may we hold and tend it carefully.

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In Jesus name, we pray

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Amen.

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Amen. Pastor, if you'll hold your position there real

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quick, I'm going to ask the

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commissioners to say a word of appreciation for you being here this evening, and

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then we're going to come around and get a picture with you.

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Okay. Sounds great.

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All right. Commissioner Byrd?

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Yes, sir. Reverend Brown, thank you so much for being here with us.

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Thank you for your message, and thank you for your work and the work of

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your members in this community.

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I have to offer a little point of personal privilege here.

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So my grandparents came to Houston County in 1941-

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Okay

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... and quickly aligned with First Methodist-

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Wow

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... and were members of the church their entire life.

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I don't know if they were founding members or very early members, but it was very

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close to the time.

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If they were in '41, they would've been founders.

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They were close. Yeah.

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Yeah.

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So that's kind of interesting.

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That's great.

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But thanks for being here. Thanks for all you do.

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Thank you.

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Yep.

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Commissioner Talon?

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Yes, sir. Thank you for being here.

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Thank you for your kind words of encouragement,

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the recognition, and importance of unity. So, thank you for that.

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So when we all work together,

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when we win, it's a victory for all.

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So-

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That's right

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... we work together. So thank you.

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Thank you. Commissioner Robinson?

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Yes. Thank you for being here, and it's a big recognition

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for 85 years. Thank you for all that your

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church does, and

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all of those who come and help with your soup kitchen and your

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food pantry and all that you do for the community.

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But it's a great blessing to have you here, and we thank you for being here this

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evening.

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Thank you.

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Yeah. Thank you very much for being here.

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The passage from Jeremiah you shared is a really good

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reminder of whether we are in exile or whether we're in our

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hometown, we need to be seeking the welfare where God has placed us.

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So, we're going to come around and grab a picture with you.

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Sure.

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Governor

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Barbre, appreciate you being here.

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God bless you. All right.

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Good to hear you.

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We have a couple of other

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acknowledgments which are not on the agenda, but we want to make at the

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start of the meeting this evening.

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First of all, is

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today at 4:00, we got to celebrate

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employees who have served Houston County for a number of years.

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And then for those who have served Houston County

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for the longest amount of time, 25, 30, 35, or even more

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years, we always invite them to the commission

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meeting in the evenings and

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recognize them for their long and dedicated service.

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This evening, we have Mr. George Felder, and George

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works in our Public Buildings

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department.

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He's held a lot of different roles over the years

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but currently, he supervises the crew that

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is

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keeping our buildings clean, and he does a

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tremendous job.

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I always ask their supervisors to write sort of a

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word about what they've meant to the county over the years,

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and

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George's supervisor, Michael, said, "He's always willing to step

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up and do whatever it takes to get the job done." And I

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cannot think of

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a better thing to say about an employee. Mr.

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George, we sure appreciate your years of service.

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We appreciate the amount of time that

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you've not just served your fellow employees by everything that you've done,

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but through that, you've served the citizens of Houston County.

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So if you'll come up and let us give you a round of applause, and we're going to

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come around and present you a small token of appreciation for your many

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years of service as well.

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This bag is light.

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That's a good sign because it means it's not a coffee mug.

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It's probably a decent bag. Come over here. Over here with George.

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Right there.

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That's for you.

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Thanks.

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Do you have some family here this evening?

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Yes. My wife, my son, and grandson.

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All right. Well, thank y'all for being here.

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Oh! That would've been a long ride home.

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A wife, son, and daughter, and grandson.

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Would y'all like to come up as well and get a picture?

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Come on.

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We'd love that.

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Yeah. Yeah.

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All

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right.

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Thank you.

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Thank you.

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We appreciate the service.

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Thank

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you.

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All right.

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One final acknowledgment before we get into the business of

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tonight's meeting, and that is, if you can't tell, we

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are celebrating a birthday this evening.

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I want to wish Mr. Tom Hall, the county attorney, a happy birthday.

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We have all been assigned one of these.

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And,

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Ms. Marsha, where are you at? I know you're a

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Baptist and not a Methodist, but if you'll keep it as brief as the Methodist, I

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will allow you to come up and say a few words about your husband if you would like.

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Are you foregoing that opportunity or am I pressing you into service?

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You're pressing me into service.

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All right. Wonderful. Come on up.

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This was our youngest daughter's

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idea to acknowledge-

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Embarrass him?

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... his birthday and embarrass him tonight. And of course, she's at the beach.

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So they've left it to me. But I just want to tell you happy birthday.

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I'm proud to be your wife.

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Our oldest daughter, Hannah, and grandson, Liam, are here also

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to let you know that we think you're mighty special.

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Love you.

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Commissioner Talton is asking if we should sing. We should.

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I-

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We should ... I was offered that opportunity and if someone, if you would like

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to lead the singing- No, you go ahead. Okay, there we go.

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I think we have our answer then. Solo. Mr.

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Hall, I will- Let's hear it in the room ...

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I'm sure the other commissioners will say a word of appreciation for you in their

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comments later this evening, but I will just say, we sure

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do appreciate you, appreciate the work you do for the citizens of Houston

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County. More than that, I appreciate your friendship and the

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character you have and the man you are.

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So we're very blessed by your service. All right.

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Moving on to the business of the evening this

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evening. The first item of business is approval of minutes from the

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July 7th, 2026 meeting.

261
00:14:52,918 --> 00:14:56,358
Those minutes have been distributed previously and you've all been given a chance

262
00:14:56,418 --> 00:15:00,198
to review them. Unless there are additions or corrections, I will

263
00:15:00,258 --> 00:15:03,338
take a motion for approval. So moved.

264
00:15:03,398 --> 00:15:06,158
We have a motion from Commissioner Talton to approve the minutes.

265
00:15:06,238 --> 00:15:06,998
Do I hear a second?

266
00:15:07,698 --> 00:15:08,138
I'll second.

267
00:15:08,558 --> 00:15:10,958
Second from Commissioner Byrd. Any discussion?

268
00:15:12,818 --> 00:15:14,878
All those in favor, if you'll raise your right hand.

269
00:15:15,778 --> 00:15:17,378
Motion carries 3-0.

270
00:15:19,458 --> 00:15:23,038
Item number one is a public hearing on an

271
00:15:23,118 --> 00:15:26,388
alcohol license. I'm going to ask Director of

272
00:15:26,438 --> 00:15:30,298
Administration, Robbie Dunbar, to give the second public

273
00:15:30,438 --> 00:15:34,118
reading for the alcohol license. We will then open a public

274
00:15:34,158 --> 00:15:37,498
hearing and ask for any public comments related to the alcohol license,

275
00:15:38,278 --> 00:15:42,258
and then we will proceed on action on this item. Mr. Dunbar?

276
00:15:42,698 --> 00:15:46,608
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is the second reading for an occupational

277
00:15:46,758 --> 00:15:50,698
tax application to include the retail sale of beer

278
00:15:50,998 --> 00:15:54,878
and wine for off-use premises

279
00:15:55,338 --> 00:15:58,858
at 295 Old Highway 96, Suite B,

280
00:15:59,798 --> 00:16:00,818
Bonaire, Georgia.

281
00:16:01,738 --> 00:16:05,418
The name of the business is 96 Market Incorporated

282
00:16:06,098 --> 00:16:08,398
and is owned by Mr. Keir Patel.

283
00:16:09,758 --> 00:16:11,898
Plans are for three full-time employees.

284
00:16:13,058 --> 00:16:16,758
The first reading for this application was held at the July 7th

285
00:16:17,058 --> 00:16:17,638
meeting.

286
00:16:18,578 --> 00:16:20,958
The applicant has approval from the following:

287
00:16:22,178 --> 00:16:23,478
Houston County Sheriff's Office,

288
00:16:24,298 --> 00:16:25,858
Houston County Building Inspection,

289
00:16:26,838 --> 00:16:28,298
Houston County Fire Department,

290
00:16:29,438 --> 00:16:31,097
Houston County Commissioner's Office.

291
00:16:32,198 --> 00:16:36,078
Mr. Chairman, this constitutes the second and final reading of this

292
00:16:36,138 --> 00:16:37,838
occupational tax application.

293
00:16:38,578 --> 00:16:41,778
Thank you, Mr. Dunbar. At this time, we will open up a public hearing

294
00:16:42,818 --> 00:16:45,528
on the alcohol license

295
00:16:46,478 --> 00:16:50,378
for this location. I will simply point out for

296
00:16:50,418 --> 00:16:51,738
information purposes,

297
00:16:52,878 --> 00:16:55,978
this is not a liquor store, this is a convenience store

298
00:16:56,838 --> 00:16:59,838
selling just beer and wine, not liquor.

299
00:17:00,118 --> 00:17:03,698
The recent ordinance changes we made to our liquor store ordinance

300
00:17:03,758 --> 00:17:04,439
expanding

301
00:17:05,278 --> 00:17:05,719
their

302
00:17:07,358 --> 00:17:10,439
closeness to other such

303
00:17:12,038 --> 00:17:16,018
places to at least five miles does not apply in

304
00:17:16,058 --> 00:17:19,278
this instance because it is not a package store or a liquor

305
00:17:19,338 --> 00:17:23,278
store. Anyone would like to offer public comment on this item?

306
00:17:25,338 --> 00:17:29,098
All right. Seeing none, we will close the public hearing and I will

307
00:17:29,138 --> 00:17:30,638
turn to Commissioner Robinson.

308
00:17:31,718 --> 00:17:35,458
All right. As we have

309
00:17:35,618 --> 00:17:39,418
been given the second reading for this new alcohol license

310
00:17:40,098 --> 00:17:42,798
for the owner of 96 Market Inc.

311
00:17:43,978 --> 00:17:47,898
off of Old Highway 96, I will make a motion

312
00:17:48,198 --> 00:17:51,898
that we approve the alcohol license for the retail sale

313
00:17:52,098 --> 00:17:55,368
of beer and wine for use off premises at

314
00:17:55,558 --> 00:17:59,478
295 Old Highway 96, Suite B, Bonaire, Georgia

315
00:17:59,798 --> 00:18:01,308
31005.

316
00:18:02,078 --> 00:18:05,158
We have a motion to approve from Commissioner Robinson. Do I hear a second?

317
00:18:05,318 --> 00:18:05,718
I'll second.

318
00:18:06,138 --> 00:18:09,518
Second from Commissioner Byrd. Any discussion on the motion?

319
00:18:10,938 --> 00:18:12,838
All those in favor, if you'll raise your right hand.

320
00:18:13,698 --> 00:18:15,098
Motion carries 3-0.

321
00:18:17,058 --> 00:18:20,698
Item number two is an annexation in the city of Perry.

322
00:18:20,818 --> 00:18:24,547
Commissioner Robinson, if you'll introduce this item, and then we'll call for

323
00:18:24,578 --> 00:18:25,438
public comment.

324
00:18:26,058 --> 00:18:29,938
Okay. This is a request from the city of Perry

325
00:18:29,998 --> 00:18:33,438
to annex eight parcels on Highway 127.

326
00:18:34,438 --> 00:18:35,338
All right. So,

327
00:18:36,198 --> 00:18:39,738
it is our custom to ask for public

328
00:18:39,838 --> 00:18:43,458
comments on annexations as we consider those

329
00:18:43,998 --> 00:18:44,358
as

330
00:18:45,398 --> 00:18:46,038
the commission.

331
00:18:46,958 --> 00:18:49,998
If anyone is here and would like to offer public comments

332
00:18:50,778 --> 00:18:54,118
regarding this annexation off of Highway

333
00:18:54,338 --> 00:18:57,778
127, there are eight parcels under

334
00:18:57,818 --> 00:18:58,758
consideration.

335
00:19:00,558 --> 00:19:02,878
Is anyone here would like to offer public comment on those?

336
00:19:05,358 --> 00:19:08,118
All right. Seeing none, we will continue on.

337
00:19:08,178 --> 00:19:11,398
Commissioner Robinson, if you'll turn to disposition of this item.

338
00:19:12,518 --> 00:19:12,878
Okay.

339
00:19:14,258 --> 00:19:18,038
I'm going to make the motion that we concur with the city of Perry's

340
00:19:18,098 --> 00:19:21,837
request to annex 20.01 acres on

341
00:19:21,878 --> 00:19:25,598
Highway 127, known as tax parcels

342
00:19:25,898 --> 00:19:27,838
000560,

343
00:19:28,298 --> 00:19:31,988
030000,

344
00:19:31,988 --> 00:19:35,228
000560, 060000,

345
00:19:35,228 --> 00:19:38,398
000560,

346
00:19:38,558 --> 00:19:39,768
056000,

347
00:19:42,018 --> 00:19:45,128
000560, 055000,

348
00:19:45,718 --> 00:19:49,018
000560,

349
00:19:49,028 --> 00:19:52,898
04054000,

350
00:19:53,658 --> 00:19:55,538
000560,

351
00:19:56,898 --> 00:19:59,278
53000, and

352
00:19:59,658 --> 00:20:01,678
000560,

353
00:20:02,058 --> 00:20:03,868
031000,

354
00:20:04,878 --> 00:20:07,458
and 000560,

355
00:20:07,698 --> 00:20:10,558
32A000, with

356
00:20:11,438 --> 00:20:15,328
a zoning change from county RAG and

357
00:20:15,478 --> 00:20:18,198
county C2 to Perry C2.

358
00:20:18,978 --> 00:20:22,738
We have a motion to concur from Commissioner Robinson. Do I hear a second?

359
00:20:23,318 --> 00:20:23,678
Second.

360
00:20:24,018 --> 00:20:25,258
Second from Commissioner Towten.

361
00:20:26,438 --> 00:20:30,147
Want to congratulate Commissioner Robinson on successfully reading all those

362
00:20:30,178 --> 00:20:30,897
parcel numbers.

363
00:20:32,318 --> 00:20:36,078
I should have just gone with the 000560 and

364
00:20:36,118 --> 00:20:36,398
then-

365
00:20:36,698 --> 00:20:37,798
At all. Yeah

366
00:20:37,938 --> 00:20:38,367
... yeah, the rest-

367
00:20:38,478 --> 00:20:39,058
Et cetera

368
00:20:39,078 --> 00:20:39,238
Okay.

369
00:20:39,478 --> 00:20:39,718
Yes.

370
00:20:39,938 --> 00:20:40,058
Yeah.

371
00:20:40,978 --> 00:20:44,778
All right. We have a motion from Commissioner Robinson and a

372
00:20:44,798 --> 00:20:48,638
second from Commissioner Towten to concur with the annexation in the city of

373
00:20:48,738 --> 00:20:52,098
Perry of eight parcels. Any more discussion on the motion?

374
00:20:53,478 --> 00:20:55,358
All those in favor, if you'll raise your right hand.

375
00:20:56,298 --> 00:20:57,798
Motion carries 3-0.

376
00:21:00,418 --> 00:21:04,118
Item number three is an annexation in the city of Warner Robins,

377
00:21:04,598 --> 00:21:07,018
located on South Amanda Place.

378
00:21:10,018 --> 00:21:13,038
I don't really think there's any more description that is needed, so we will open

379
00:21:13,118 --> 00:21:15,278
up the floor for public comments

380
00:21:16,158 --> 00:21:17,558
for this annexation

381
00:21:18,598 --> 00:21:21,518
into the city of Warner Robins located at South Amanda Place.

382
00:21:21,558 --> 00:21:25,298
If you'll please come to the lectern if you would like to make comments.

383
00:21:27,878 --> 00:21:30,758
Good evening.

384
00:21:34,378 --> 00:21:36,078
Do I have to state my name or anything?

385
00:21:36,198 --> 00:21:37,478
Sure, state your name would be great.

386
00:21:38,318 --> 00:21:39,078
Okay. Kimberly Pritchett.

387
00:21:40,238 --> 00:21:43,388
First of all, I want to say y'all did a great job getting the light there, because

388
00:21:43,398 --> 00:21:43,838
that solves

389
00:21:44,758 --> 00:21:45,558
most of our problems.

390
00:21:46,998 --> 00:21:50,698
But we do have a concern, just a small one, on the small

391
00:21:50,798 --> 00:21:53,078
parcel. There's two parcels, I think they're wanting to annex,

392
00:21:53,818 --> 00:21:57,138
100 and 104. 104 is like half an

393
00:21:57,178 --> 00:22:00,858
acre. And just to give y'all an idea, it's in the very, very

394
00:22:01,198 --> 00:22:05,178
back of the property. It butts up against 106, which is a house that

395
00:22:05,238 --> 00:22:07,058
also has special needs adults in it.

396
00:22:08,198 --> 00:22:10,618
Anyway, that area floods all the time.

397
00:22:12,218 --> 00:22:12,538
And

398
00:22:15,178 --> 00:22:17,018
as Mr. Hall will agree,

399
00:22:18,158 --> 00:22:20,498
nothing is worth anything unless it's in writing.

400
00:22:20,528 --> 00:22:24,427
The people who are trying to develop it has told us that he doesn't plan

401
00:22:24,538 --> 00:22:27,978
on utilizing that triangle, but he wants to have it rezoned.

402
00:22:28,018 --> 00:22:31,278
I'm like, "Well, if you're not going to utilize it, why rezone it?" He said, "Well,

403
00:22:31,298 --> 00:22:32,478
we're going to try to make it a buffer."

404
00:22:33,598 --> 00:22:36,078
I said, "We'd like it to stay R-1 as a buffer."

405
00:22:38,418 --> 00:22:42,168
With what we've been told he wants to do, he wants to put a restaurant there,

406
00:22:43,098 --> 00:22:45,138
shopping center, stuff like that there.

407
00:22:45,258 --> 00:22:48,998
So, it's going to be a lot more noise than what we already have with the

408
00:22:49,038 --> 00:22:49,498
hotel.

409
00:22:50,598 --> 00:22:53,818
So, we were kind of wanting a bigger buffer because of that.

410
00:22:53,938 --> 00:22:57,758
It's not the same vibe as a hotel that's a lot more quiet.

411
00:22:59,478 --> 00:23:01,708
Right now, I think they have like a 15-foot buffer.

412
00:23:04,458 --> 00:23:08,258
I don't know what would be the equivalent of it, but that property of the

413
00:23:08,318 --> 00:23:10,718
triangle butts up right next to 106.

414
00:23:11,358 --> 00:23:14,238
They could put dumpsters back there, trash things,

415
00:23:15,238 --> 00:23:16,318
which could also draw,

416
00:23:17,198 --> 00:23:20,178
unfortunately, the homeless back there.

417
00:23:20,258 --> 00:23:22,878
So, that's the other reason they were needing a larger buffer.

418
00:23:22,918 --> 00:23:26,278
The second thing we wanted to ask for is a buffer along South Amanda,

419
00:23:26,358 --> 00:23:29,998
because we don't want to have to see the back of all that as we go up our road.

420
00:23:30,038 --> 00:23:33,918
It is still a county road. I think they did stipulate that you

421
00:23:33,958 --> 00:23:36,338
couldn't access Amanda from there.

422
00:23:36,368 --> 00:23:39,818
They want the inner parcel access to go straight to the light, which is what we all

423
00:23:39,878 --> 00:23:42,158
wanted, and that's why we put that light there.

424
00:23:43,458 --> 00:23:45,818
But a buffer would be great there as well.

425
00:23:48,298 --> 00:23:51,898
That was primarily it. We just would really like for that one little bitty piece of

426
00:23:51,918 --> 00:23:55,108
parcel to remain R-1 instead of changing it to C2.

427
00:23:55,158 --> 00:23:57,478
The reason why is keep him accountable.

428
00:23:57,578 --> 00:23:59,538
If he decides that he's going to change his mind

429
00:24:00,538 --> 00:24:04,348
and utilize it, he would have to come back, ask for the rezoning,

430
00:24:04,538 --> 00:24:07,658
then we'd be made aware, and we could see what's going on.

431
00:24:08,478 --> 00:24:09,838
Just holding him accountable.

432
00:24:11,098 --> 00:24:12,438
All right. Thank you, Ms. Pritchett.

433
00:24:12,658 --> 00:24:12,768
Mm-hmm.

434
00:24:13,138 --> 00:24:16,588
Anyone else like to offer public comment on this annexation?

435
00:24:22,830 --> 00:24:25,270
This is my favorite thing to do. I'm Rhonda Moore.

436
00:24:26,430 --> 00:24:30,290
One of the concerns when this subdivision was originally

437
00:24:30,350 --> 00:24:33,310
developed 50 years ago, we've lived there 50 years.

438
00:24:33,810 --> 00:24:35,850
I'm sure Warren Carter and

439
00:24:36,790 --> 00:24:40,690
Charles and all of them never anticipated old

440
00:24:40,790 --> 00:24:44,290
PV Road would be Houston Lake Road and be a four-lane highway.

441
00:24:44,870 --> 00:24:48,670
Unfortunately, we all have our homes back there, and we're just trying to be

442
00:24:48,710 --> 00:24:49,680
protected.

443
00:24:50,490 --> 00:24:54,250
Like Kimberly said, the county

444
00:24:54,330 --> 00:24:57,240
already has an ordinance that they cannot use a

445
00:24:58,050 --> 00:25:01,310
subdivision street for access, which is great,

446
00:25:02,290 --> 00:25:06,090
but putting a restaurant and maybe

447
00:25:06,270 --> 00:25:09,850
strip stores or whatever is going to create a back

448
00:25:10,570 --> 00:25:13,630
where people go out and take their trash and all that.

449
00:25:13,670 --> 00:25:17,519
And to eliminate us who have traveled down

450
00:25:17,570 --> 00:25:20,770
that road 50 years from having to look at that, if the

451
00:25:20,870 --> 00:25:24,790
county could recommend increasing the size of the

452
00:25:24,850 --> 00:25:28,770
buffer for a permanent evergreen or

453
00:25:28,810 --> 00:25:31,870
whatever they would recommend. Because I don't know what the

454
00:25:31,930 --> 00:25:34,550
city's recommendation is for that.

455
00:25:34,610 --> 00:25:37,990
I don't know what their height is or whatever.

456
00:25:39,170 --> 00:25:42,590
What they have put up behind the hotel is a small white

457
00:25:42,710 --> 00:25:46,210
fence that I could jump over it probably, maybe,

458
00:25:47,630 --> 00:25:49,710
to go around the retention pond.

459
00:25:52,090 --> 00:25:55,090
I've already fenced off my property, so that doesn't affect me.

460
00:25:55,190 --> 00:25:59,030
What will affect me is people in the hotel looking out of the rooms

461
00:25:59,090 --> 00:26:03,010
into my backyard, which I don't love that, but I knew I couldn't stop progress.

462
00:26:03,210 --> 00:26:04,820
Anyway, we're asking

463
00:26:05,830 --> 00:26:09,710
to be protected for the people that are in that subdivision and have been

464
00:26:09,730 --> 00:26:13,570
for years. I don't think they gain anything by taking

465
00:26:13,730 --> 00:26:14,950
104 South Amanda.

466
00:26:16,310 --> 00:26:19,110
And in fact, somebody's already used it. They're cutting through it.

467
00:26:19,610 --> 00:26:22,170
We know it's not the Carter sisters.

468
00:26:22,210 --> 00:26:25,310
They're all too old to be doing that. But I don't know if it's Mr.

469
00:26:25,590 --> 00:26:29,250
Patel who's buying it, but they've already cleared a lot of it, and I don't know

470
00:26:29,270 --> 00:26:33,150
where they got permission. But that's what we're asking for, to be protected for

471
00:26:33,170 --> 00:26:33,970
our subdivision.

472
00:26:35,710 --> 00:26:36,670
Can I ask you a question?

473
00:26:36,930 --> 00:26:37,210
Sure.

474
00:26:38,570 --> 00:26:42,530
Looking at the parcel map, it looks to me like a lot of the

475
00:26:43,730 --> 00:26:45,950
lots, certainly on Chantilly,

476
00:26:46,870 --> 00:26:49,070
went ahead and purchased

477
00:26:49,990 --> 00:26:50,390
a-

478
00:26:50,480 --> 00:26:51,650
A buffer. We did

479
00:26:51,830 --> 00:26:51,859
... a buffer.

480
00:26:51,859 --> 00:26:51,859
We did.

481
00:26:51,880 --> 00:26:55,150
And in some cases, they're half an acre or-

482
00:26:55,350 --> 00:26:55,710
Right

483
00:26:55,790 --> 00:26:57,470
... more of buffer from

484
00:26:58,350 --> 00:26:58,510
the

485
00:26:59,610 --> 00:27:01,710
property that protects their home.

486
00:27:01,770 --> 00:27:05,190
And that's all old trees, but when they all lose their leaves, I can

487
00:27:06,330 --> 00:27:08,770
see the hotel. You're never going to hide that.

488
00:27:08,810 --> 00:27:12,430
It's ginormous and looks into my backyard.

489
00:27:13,050 --> 00:27:16,290
But I put up my own privacy fence. Nobody's going to come in.

490
00:27:16,770 --> 00:27:17,690
I'm just saying,

491
00:27:19,210 --> 00:27:21,090
if he takes that commercial,

492
00:27:22,270 --> 00:27:26,010
the 104, it's only a half acre, and most of that

493
00:27:26,110 --> 00:27:30,030
frontage is on South Amanda. I don't understand what he could really even do

494
00:27:30,090 --> 00:27:30,250
with it.

495
00:27:30,690 --> 00:27:31,590
Yeah, and-

496
00:27:31,670 --> 00:27:33,710
It doesn't line up with the big tract.

497
00:27:34,310 --> 00:27:37,710
He doesn't need it to make it a square or

498
00:27:37,750 --> 00:27:38,410
rectangle.

499
00:27:38,690 --> 00:27:42,530
I understand. My concern about leaving it R1 zone is

500
00:27:42,570 --> 00:27:45,190
it's not a suitable residential lot.

501
00:27:45,230 --> 00:27:45,600
I know. Nobody

502
00:27:46,490 --> 00:27:47,870
wants it. The county doesn't want it, the city doesn't want it.

503
00:27:47,950 --> 00:27:48,510
And so-

504
00:27:48,710 --> 00:27:48,720
I get all that

505
00:27:48,810 --> 00:27:52,650
... and so if we don't allow him to rezone it,

506
00:27:52,790 --> 00:27:56,130
he can't combine it with the plat that he has.

507
00:27:56,190 --> 00:27:57,210
But what is he... So-

508
00:27:57,950 --> 00:28:01,850
I don't know because I have not seen a development plan-

509
00:28:01,890 --> 00:28:01,900
Me either

510
00:28:01,900 --> 00:28:02,850
... because that's not part-

511
00:28:03,250 --> 00:28:03,260
And I don't want to

512
00:28:03,260 --> 00:28:05,370
... that's not part of the annexation process.

513
00:28:05,450 --> 00:28:05,710
Right.

514
00:28:05,830 --> 00:28:09,670
But I imagine if it's a wet spot already, he may plan on using

515
00:28:09,710 --> 00:28:12,310
it for storm drainage, which it'll have a fence around it-

516
00:28:12,610 --> 00:28:12,760
Mm-hmm

517
00:28:12,760 --> 00:28:14,290
... and all sorts of things like that.

518
00:28:14,760 --> 00:28:14,760
But just-

519
00:28:14,790 --> 00:28:16,090
So I'll

520
00:28:16,930 --> 00:28:19,040
let you come up as well. I'm just-

521
00:28:19,310 --> 00:28:19,700
But what I guess-

522
00:28:19,770 --> 00:28:23,590
I'm just saying if you take a 0.6 acre

523
00:28:23,710 --> 00:28:27,630
parcel and you don't allow him to annex it in and we

524
00:28:27,710 --> 00:28:29,900
know it's never going to have a house on it-

525
00:28:29,990 --> 00:28:30,290
Right

526
00:28:30,299 --> 00:28:33,740
... we're essentially condemning that property and

527
00:28:33,990 --> 00:28:34,359
saying,

528
00:28:35,330 --> 00:28:39,180
we could be accused of seriously damaging the value of that property at that point.

529
00:28:39,190 --> 00:28:43,110
But the value is $7,500. In the scheme of things, paying

530
00:28:43,190 --> 00:28:46,910
over a million, that seems a little not relevant to

531
00:28:46,950 --> 00:28:47,650
me, but...

532
00:28:49,210 --> 00:28:50,910
Thank you, ma'am. Would you like to come up?

533
00:28:55,750 --> 00:28:57,570
Yeah. Do this on my seat.

534
00:28:58,070 --> 00:29:01,990
My name is Lynn Johnson, and I do live in Chantilly, and I live

535
00:29:02,010 --> 00:29:03,590
right down the street from Rhonda.

536
00:29:03,620 --> 00:29:06,620
And directly behind my house is a

537
00:29:06,650 --> 00:29:10,410
gargantuan retention pond that is

538
00:29:10,650 --> 00:29:14,470
multiple feet deep, and I'm talking deeper than my swimming

539
00:29:14,490 --> 00:29:18,190
pool deep. And if he uses that land

540
00:29:18,210 --> 00:29:21,610
to have a retention pond there, so now we have two

541
00:29:21,750 --> 00:29:23,530
retention ponds in our neighborhood.

542
00:29:24,130 --> 00:29:27,990
And I've lived there a really long time, and I don't really

543
00:29:28,230 --> 00:29:30,070
want him encroaching on our neighborhood.

544
00:29:30,130 --> 00:29:32,050
It's an old neighborhood, and

545
00:29:33,250 --> 00:29:36,870
we just need for him not to be so far in, to move it

546
00:29:36,990 --> 00:29:40,790
over. There's really no reason. That lot's really small, and they're

547
00:29:40,870 --> 00:29:44,370
already using it to go up and down into that other area.

548
00:29:44,390 --> 00:29:47,690
That's what it's got to be because it's not been like that till just recently.

549
00:29:48,330 --> 00:29:51,570
So we're just asking to help us maintain our

550
00:29:51,630 --> 00:29:55,530
neighborhood in the manner that we think that's good for Houston County.

551
00:29:55,840 --> 00:29:57,970
Because we would like for other people who, when

552
00:29:58,830 --> 00:30:02,690
old people, me, die, and you want new people

553
00:30:02,750 --> 00:30:05,630
to move into that neighborhood and keep it vital.

554
00:30:05,740 --> 00:30:08,790
And by allowing him to do all that, you're

555
00:30:08,800 --> 00:30:11,610
taking that neighborhood and causing it to die.

556
00:30:12,430 --> 00:30:13,890
That's just what I think.

557
00:30:14,590 --> 00:30:15,289
Thank you very much.

558
00:30:15,910 --> 00:30:16,950
Is there legal questions?

559
00:30:17,110 --> 00:30:19,010
Sure, if you want to come right back up here.

560
00:30:21,310 --> 00:30:24,980
If they encroach on South

561
00:30:25,010 --> 00:30:26,480
Amanda, who enforces that?

562
00:30:27,070 --> 00:30:29,810
The county does because it remains a county road.

563
00:30:30,250 --> 00:30:32,790
So if we saw that, we would call the county?

564
00:30:32,910 --> 00:30:36,850
If you saw access to a commercial property coming off of South Amanda, you

565
00:30:36,870 --> 00:30:37,560
would call the county.

566
00:30:37,580 --> 00:30:37,580
Okay.

567
00:30:37,610 --> 00:30:37,930
Yes, ma'am.

568
00:30:38,130 --> 00:30:38,350
Okay.

569
00:30:40,170 --> 00:30:40,990
Is that right, Mr. Hall?

570
00:30:41,230 --> 00:30:41,610
That is correct.

571
00:30:41,650 --> 00:30:44,790
Since I was asked the legal question. Anyone else like to offer public comment?

572
00:30:49,650 --> 00:30:53,270
I think the three ladies covered most everything.

573
00:30:54,450 --> 00:30:55,310
The only additional-

574
00:30:55,330 --> 00:30:56,620
Would you tell us your name please?

575
00:30:56,620 --> 00:30:57,970
I'm sorry. Chris Pritchett,

576
00:30:58,970 --> 00:30:59,450
and I live in

577
00:31:00,330 --> 00:31:00,850
Carter Woods.

578
00:31:02,490 --> 00:31:06,190
The 104 is my biggest issue with the

579
00:31:06,250 --> 00:31:09,750
annexation rezoning because it butts right up to a

580
00:31:09,770 --> 00:31:10,370
residence.

581
00:31:11,650 --> 00:31:13,810
If I'm the owner of 106

582
00:31:14,750 --> 00:31:18,670
and everything around me has been zoned commercial, the first thing I'm

583
00:31:18,690 --> 00:31:19,590
going to do is offer this

584
00:31:21,030 --> 00:31:22,710
buyer my piece of property,

585
00:31:23,570 --> 00:31:25,290
because I can get a lot more money with it

586
00:31:26,410 --> 00:31:27,770
if I get it zoned commercial.

587
00:31:28,650 --> 00:31:32,110
And with that, it's going to be more encroachment, potentially, into the

588
00:31:32,150 --> 00:31:32,649
neighborhood.

589
00:31:34,730 --> 00:31:38,660
So your concern is that 106 would then be zoned

590
00:31:38,710 --> 00:31:39,650
commercial as well?

591
00:31:40,710 --> 00:31:43,130
If I was the owner, and

592
00:31:44,030 --> 00:31:47,740
for what they're paying for commercial property right now versus residential, I

593
00:31:47,770 --> 00:31:49,790
know the owner, he bought that house several years ago,

594
00:31:51,410 --> 00:31:53,010
and they've got a special needs child.

595
00:31:54,190 --> 00:31:56,569
They moved here from Atlanta

596
00:31:57,450 --> 00:32:00,850
and it's been a few years since I've talked to him.

597
00:32:00,930 --> 00:32:01,710
I know that

598
00:32:02,830 --> 00:32:05,710
he could get four times what he paid for that property.

599
00:32:06,030 --> 00:32:06,730
All right.

600
00:32:06,850 --> 00:32:07,710
So to me,

601
00:32:08,850 --> 00:32:10,590
it would be a no-brainer for me to try and then

602
00:32:11,630 --> 00:32:12,690
get that zoned commercial.

603
00:32:13,890 --> 00:32:16,750
All right. Thank you, Mr. Pritchett. All right. Any other public comments?

604
00:32:17,450 --> 00:32:21,330
Thank you all. We will close public comments. Yes, Commissioner Byrd.

605
00:32:21,650 --> 00:32:25,330
I've got a question in reading the documents from the Warner Robins

606
00:32:25,430 --> 00:32:28,930
Planning Commission meeting, it looks like on July 14th.

607
00:32:29,410 --> 00:32:33,330
It specifically states, "Existing natural buffers should be enhanced wherever

608
00:32:33,370 --> 00:32:37,070
necessary so as to provide year-round opaque screening." Was there any

609
00:32:37,149 --> 00:32:41,050
discussion around that, that might elaborate on what that

610
00:32:41,110 --> 00:32:41,550
might be?

611
00:32:42,970 --> 00:32:44,230
That would be my question.

612
00:32:46,630 --> 00:32:47,770
And you're going to have to pull up the-

613
00:32:47,900 --> 00:32:48,480
I was there.

614
00:32:48,550 --> 00:32:49,400
What was it, Ms. Pritchett?

615
00:32:50,590 --> 00:32:54,370
They said they wanted the buffer to align with what's there, which is why I had

616
00:32:54,470 --> 00:32:56,840
said that it's not an equal buffer.

617
00:32:56,850 --> 00:33:00,640
Because I could tell by, compared to Fresh Mart Buy across the avenue, it

618
00:33:00,640 --> 00:33:03,390
would not need the same kind of buffer. It would need a bigger buffer.

619
00:33:03,410 --> 00:33:06,210
That's why I said that, because they had said line it up with what's

620
00:33:06,270 --> 00:33:07,570
there.

621
00:33:07,610 --> 00:33:11,560
I believe he meant to line it up with the existing privacy fence that they put

622
00:33:11,560 --> 00:33:13,870
up that's about six to eight foot tall.

623
00:33:13,910 --> 00:33:14,130
Yeah.

624
00:33:15,790 --> 00:33:19,460
Well, I think Mr. Byrd, as you've called out this language, it says, "The

625
00:33:19,510 --> 00:33:21,230
existing natural buffer-

626
00:33:21,350 --> 00:33:22,040
Mm-hmm. That's clear

627
00:33:22,040 --> 00:33:25,870
... should be enhanced wherever necessary so as to

628
00:33:25,890 --> 00:33:28,770
provide year-round opaque

629
00:33:28,890 --> 00:33:32,290
screening from the residential district adjacent to the

630
00:33:32,330 --> 00:33:36,270
site." I think that is pretty strong language

631
00:33:36,350 --> 00:33:37,210
there,

632
00:33:38,190 --> 00:33:41,430
that a buffer should be

633
00:33:41,490 --> 00:33:45,390
enhanced and should provide screening from the neighboring

634
00:33:45,990 --> 00:33:46,630
residential.

635
00:33:47,550 --> 00:33:51,350
Also, there are stipulations that they put in here,

636
00:33:53,430 --> 00:33:56,730
address seeing

637
00:33:57,610 --> 00:33:58,630
lighting plans

638
00:33:59,910 --> 00:34:03,800
so that lighting does not create an adverse condition on adjoining residential

639
00:34:03,890 --> 00:34:05,270
properties.

640
00:34:06,499 --> 00:34:09,350
Any other comments from commissioners?

641
00:34:10,111 --> 00:34:12,571
I guess the only question I have, maybe for Mr.

642
00:34:12,810 --> 00:34:13,190
Hall,

643
00:34:14,210 --> 00:34:17,750
106, and I don't know if you have the answer to this, but 106 would be more in the

644
00:34:17,910 --> 00:34:19,630
interior of the actual neighborhood.

645
00:34:19,750 --> 00:34:23,730
I can't imagine that being sold as commercial property, especially

646
00:34:23,830 --> 00:34:27,310
with the access being on the

647
00:34:27,730 --> 00:34:28,830
neighborhood road, right?

648
00:34:30,111 --> 00:34:30,591
That's correct.

649
00:34:30,600 --> 00:34:31,730
You're going to have to have access

650
00:34:33,111 --> 00:34:34,670
from Houston Lake, and that can't happen.

651
00:34:34,990 --> 00:34:35,310
Right.

652
00:34:36,750 --> 00:34:40,091
Unless it's attached to the other property, but that's

653
00:34:41,390 --> 00:34:42,031
remote.

654
00:34:43,730 --> 00:34:47,591
Between 106 and 108, the next house over, there's already a buffer

655
00:34:47,611 --> 00:34:47,930
there,

656
00:34:49,051 --> 00:34:50,810
so they could easily...

657
00:34:52,350 --> 00:34:55,950
My personal opinion is they could easily encroach upon that property, have it zoned

658
00:34:56,031 --> 00:34:56,830
commercial,

659
00:34:58,030 --> 00:35:01,900
and that would still leave probably the best natural

660
00:35:01,930 --> 00:35:05,330
buffer we have that's going through the neighborhood is in 106 and 108.

661
00:35:05,670 --> 00:35:06,130
I see.

662
00:35:07,610 --> 00:35:10,950
And who owns that? Al McArthur Estate.

663
00:35:11,890 --> 00:35:13,650
The state still owns that?

664
00:35:14,150 --> 00:35:15,210
106?

665
00:35:15,530 --> 00:35:19,510
No, the- 108. That's the buffer. So her estate

666
00:35:19,550 --> 00:35:22,930
still owns that. Are there covenants for the neighborhood?

667
00:35:23,170 --> 00:35:25,010
Might be more than expired. Okay.

668
00:35:27,450 --> 00:35:28,870
All right. Commissioner Robinson.

669
00:35:30,970 --> 00:35:31,530
Okay.

670
00:35:36,110 --> 00:35:38,430
Well, it is just a tiny piece of property.

671
00:35:39,750 --> 00:35:40,110
Okay,

672
00:35:41,310 --> 00:35:44,990
for this request from the City of Warner Robins to annex this property,

673
00:35:45,630 --> 00:35:49,390
I'm going to make a motion to concur with the

674
00:35:49,430 --> 00:35:52,070
City of Warner Robins request for annexation

675
00:35:52,930 --> 00:35:56,830
for both of these parcels, because I don't think that

676
00:35:57,110 --> 00:35:59,330
leaving that one out is,

677
00:36:00,230 --> 00:36:02,930
in a sense, condemning it. It's not an

678
00:36:03,730 --> 00:36:07,350
actual R1 lot, so it would go from County

679
00:36:07,470 --> 00:36:08,870
R1 to City R2.

680
00:36:09,790 --> 00:36:13,430
It's going to have the following stipulation, which is, "No access to South

681
00:36:13,470 --> 00:36:17,350
Amanda Place. Access only at the traffic light on Houston Lake Road."

682
00:36:17,850 --> 00:36:21,810
But in addition to that, and I think it makes sense and gets back to the point

683
00:36:21,950 --> 00:36:24,550
of, if he says that, does he mean it?

684
00:36:26,970 --> 00:36:30,830
To, again, make the stipulation of the existing natural buffer

685
00:36:31,886 --> 00:36:35,526
Should be enhanced, which means the existing natural buffer should not be

686
00:36:35,586 --> 00:36:36,166
destroyed.

687
00:36:36,986 --> 00:36:40,826
So if there's natural buffer existing there along the property

688
00:36:40,926 --> 00:36:41,406
lines,

689
00:36:42,206 --> 00:36:45,686
it should not be destroyed. And if it's not, it should be

690
00:36:45,726 --> 00:36:49,266
enhanced. Where, to me, when they say opaque

691
00:36:49,386 --> 00:36:52,946
screening year-round, it means there's going to be evergreen

692
00:36:53,026 --> 00:36:56,666
trees there, not just hard oaks where the leaves

693
00:36:56,766 --> 00:37:00,546
fall off. It actually calls in here, which will be

694
00:37:00,586 --> 00:37:04,385
part of the stipulation in my motion, that it will provide

695
00:37:04,466 --> 00:37:08,326
year-round screening from the residential district adjacent

696
00:37:08,366 --> 00:37:12,186
to the site. And with that little piece of parcel there that he

697
00:37:12,286 --> 00:37:12,786
has,

698
00:37:14,286 --> 00:37:14,766
hopefully,

699
00:37:16,126 --> 00:37:19,926
with these conditions, the stipulations on the buffer, that it will

700
00:37:20,006 --> 00:37:23,726
make him do what he said he was going to do, which is

701
00:37:23,766 --> 00:37:27,026
basically leave it as a buffer from the residential area.

702
00:37:28,206 --> 00:37:30,506
But could you extend

703
00:37:31,586 --> 00:37:33,706
it? Ma'am. I'm sorry. Thank you.

704
00:37:34,766 --> 00:37:38,506
All right. So we have a motion from Commissioner Robinson to

705
00:37:38,546 --> 00:37:39,146
concur.

706
00:37:41,546 --> 00:37:42,506
Okay. Let's see.

707
00:37:46,446 --> 00:37:50,426
Yeah. This is basically, it would be the

708
00:37:51,146 --> 00:37:54,946
existing natural buffer to not be destroyed and would be

709
00:37:54,986 --> 00:37:58,226
enhanced to provide year-round

710
00:37:58,406 --> 00:38:02,226
screening. Which means it would be opaque screening, not just

711
00:38:02,306 --> 00:38:05,916
hardwoods, but actually evergreen trees to shield the residential

712
00:38:06,046 --> 00:38:09,216
district from the site. And that's it,

713
00:38:10,386 --> 00:38:14,186
that whole back of that... That lot,

714
00:38:14,366 --> 00:38:17,766
basically, that we're talking about is 104

715
00:38:18,326 --> 00:38:19,346
Amanda Place.

716
00:38:20,006 --> 00:38:22,946
All right. So we have a motion to concur with

717
00:38:22,956 --> 00:38:25,326
stipulations from Commissioner Robinson.

718
00:38:25,366 --> 00:38:29,326
The stipulations are no access to South Amanda Place, and the

719
00:38:29,366 --> 00:38:31,076
natural buffer be enhanced

720
00:38:32,666 --> 00:38:36,566
to accommodate opaque screening year-round from the

721
00:38:36,606 --> 00:38:37,226
adjoining

722
00:38:38,826 --> 00:38:40,126
residential properties.

723
00:38:41,726 --> 00:38:45,646
That matches the recommendation from the Warner Robins Planning

724
00:38:45,746 --> 00:38:48,586
Commission meeting at 7 on July 14th.

725
00:38:49,366 --> 00:38:50,786
Do I have a second to that motion?

726
00:38:51,846 --> 00:38:52,726
I'll second the motion.

727
00:38:52,926 --> 00:38:56,266
Second from Commissioner Byrd. Any discussion on the motion?

728
00:38:58,366 --> 00:38:58,426
I

729
00:38:59,786 --> 00:39:03,476
know exactly what they're talking about, and I think that this is

730
00:39:05,146 --> 00:39:08,886
the only way that we can actually do it with this motion being for

731
00:39:09,026 --> 00:39:10,996
100 and 104. But with that,

732
00:39:11,886 --> 00:39:15,506
like they said, small lot there, hopefully

733
00:39:16,226 --> 00:39:19,846
this will help reach their goals of

734
00:39:19,906 --> 00:39:23,346
making sure that they have a decent buffer in between

735
00:39:23,526 --> 00:39:24,406
106

736
00:39:25,266 --> 00:39:28,806
and 104. And then, like they said, there's

737
00:39:28,886 --> 00:39:32,246
hopefully continuing for that estate, that

738
00:39:32,286 --> 00:39:36,266
108 is a significant buffer for the rest of the neighborhood

739
00:39:36,346 --> 00:39:37,846
from the commercial development.

740
00:39:38,326 --> 00:39:38,486
Okay.

741
00:39:39,246 --> 00:39:42,966
Mr. Chairman, I clearly understand we're talking about the east property line on

742
00:39:43,006 --> 00:39:46,906
the smaller lot, but do we need to specify that

743
00:39:47,226 --> 00:39:49,406
in any further manner, or you think we're good?

744
00:39:49,786 --> 00:39:51,646
Commissioner Byrd, I would say,

745
00:39:55,606 --> 00:39:55,926
the

746
00:39:56,926 --> 00:40:00,866
recommendation from the planning council does not seem to call out that

747
00:40:00,906 --> 00:40:02,826
particular property line.

748
00:40:05,126 --> 00:40:08,726
It says from the residential district

749
00:40:08,766 --> 00:40:10,186
adjacent to the site.

750
00:40:12,146 --> 00:40:12,206
I

751
00:40:13,186 --> 00:40:13,466
think

752
00:40:14,806 --> 00:40:18,526
my interpretation of Commissioner Robinson's motion is that it

753
00:40:18,586 --> 00:40:20,506
matches that recommendation.

754
00:40:20,586 --> 00:40:20,966
Perfect.

755
00:40:22,186 --> 00:40:23,146
Is that an okay answer?

756
00:40:23,266 --> 00:40:23,486
Yes.

757
00:40:23,746 --> 00:40:23,986
Okay.

758
00:40:24,806 --> 00:40:25,086
All right.

759
00:40:27,266 --> 00:40:29,646
Good discussion. Thank you all for your feedback.

760
00:40:29,706 --> 00:40:32,926
We have a motion from Commissioner Robinson and a second from Commissioner Byrd.

761
00:40:32,966 --> 00:40:34,966
All those in favor, if you'll raise your right hand.

762
00:40:35,786 --> 00:40:37,346
Motion carries 3-0.

763
00:40:39,446 --> 00:40:43,126
Item number four is a grant approval, Accountability Court.

764
00:40:43,266 --> 00:40:44,026
Commissioner Talton?

765
00:40:44,706 --> 00:40:48,146
Yes, sir. This request is for approval of a grant for the Accountability Court to

766
00:40:48,225 --> 00:40:52,046
assist in addressing offenders arrested for drug charges or mental health

767
00:40:52,165 --> 00:40:54,706
issues. My motion to approve grant number

768
00:40:54,786 --> 00:40:56,666
AWACFP

769
00:40:56,826 --> 00:40:59,466
27071 for

770
00:40:59,646 --> 00:41:02,116
$311,095, with

771
00:41:03,066 --> 00:41:06,646
required matching funds of

772
00:41:06,686 --> 00:41:09,146
$54,899, to

773
00:41:10,606 --> 00:41:13,946
be provided from the Drug Abuse and Treatment Education fund, totaling

774
00:41:14,026 --> 00:41:16,066
$365,994.

775
00:41:17,306 --> 00:41:21,026
The grant period is from July 1st, 2026 to June

776
00:41:21,146 --> 00:41:22,336
30th, 2027.

777
00:41:23,346 --> 00:41:26,485
We have a motion from Commissioner Talton to approve. Do I hear a second?

778
00:41:26,766 --> 00:41:27,386
I'll second it.

779
00:41:27,726 --> 00:41:29,286
Second from Commissioner Robinson.

780
00:41:30,686 --> 00:41:32,786
All those in favor, if you'll raise your right hand.

781
00:41:33,616 --> 00:41:35,166
Motion carries 3-0.

782
00:41:36,906 --> 00:41:40,706
Item number five is a bid approval on Elberta Road

783
00:41:40,826 --> 00:41:43,326
widening phase three. Commissioner Talton?

784
00:41:43,366 --> 00:41:46,906
This request is for approval of a bid for the Elberta Road widening phase three

785
00:41:47,026 --> 00:41:50,626
project. Bids were received, and after evaluation, the engineering department

786
00:41:50,706 --> 00:41:54,466
recommended the lowest bidder. My motion to approve the bid from C.W.

787
00:41:54,546 --> 00:41:57,166
Matthews Contracting Company of Marietta, Georgia, in the amount of

788
00:41:57,766 --> 00:42:01,926
$2,801,454.70

789
00:42:02,366 --> 00:42:03,726
for the Elberta Road widening

790
00:42:04,566 --> 00:42:08,406
phase three project. The City of Centerville is responsible for the water main and

791
00:42:08,526 --> 00:42:11,026
sewer relocations or adjustments totaling

792
00:42:11,036 --> 00:42:14,836
$345,777.50, bringing the

793
00:42:14,866 --> 00:42:16,146
county's portion to

794
00:42:16,156 --> 00:42:21,376
$2,455,677.00

795
00:42:22,422 --> 00:42:26,262
And 20 cent. This is a 2018 SPLOST project and will be

796
00:42:26,302 --> 00:42:27,862
completed in 17 months.

797
00:42:28,362 --> 00:42:31,282
We have a motion to approve from Commissioner Tout. Do I hear a second?

798
00:42:31,582 --> 00:42:31,992
I'll second.

799
00:42:32,382 --> 00:42:35,342
Second from Commissioner Byrd. Any discussion on the motion?

800
00:42:35,502 --> 00:42:38,082
Mr. Chairman, just commend the bidding process.

801
00:42:38,202 --> 00:42:40,362
Six reputable bidders, a

802
00:42:40,762 --> 00:42:44,642
$439,000 difference between the first and

803
00:42:44,722 --> 00:42:48,622
second bid. That's 16% on the job, 31% between

804
00:42:48,642 --> 00:42:50,042
the first and the last bid,

805
00:42:50,942 --> 00:42:53,022
to the benefit of the citizens of Houston County.

806
00:42:53,982 --> 00:42:57,332
Thank you, Commissioner Byrd. I can always count on you for that bidding math, and

807
00:42:57,422 --> 00:42:58,072
I appreciate it.

808
00:42:58,222 --> 00:42:59,022
I'm a mathlete.

809
00:42:59,622 --> 00:43:02,982
We have a motion from Commissioner Tout and a second from Commissioner Byrd.

810
00:43:03,042 --> 00:43:04,982
All those in favor, if you'll raise your right hand.

811
00:43:06,022 --> 00:43:07,582
Motion carries three zero.

812
00:43:10,082 --> 00:43:13,942
Item number six is a personnel request in the Roads and Bridges Department.

813
00:43:14,002 --> 00:43:14,642
Commissioner Tout?

814
00:43:15,182 --> 00:43:19,112
This request is to fill a vacant heavy equipment operator position in the Road and

815
00:43:19,162 --> 00:43:23,082
Bridges Department. It is my motion to approve the hiring of Timothy Rogers

816
00:43:23,122 --> 00:43:26,262
to fill the vacant heavy equipment operator position in the Roads and Bridges

817
00:43:26,322 --> 00:43:30,182
Department at a Grade 13, Step E, effective July 22nd,

818
00:43:30,302 --> 00:43:33,442
2026. Personnel has reviewed his qualifications and

819
00:43:33,462 --> 00:43:36,722
confirmed he meets the criteria for the Step E

820
00:43:36,742 --> 00:43:37,722
placement.

821
00:43:37,762 --> 00:43:41,002
We have a motion to approve from Commissioner Tout. Do I hear a second?

822
00:43:41,342 --> 00:43:41,882
I'll second.

823
00:43:42,682 --> 00:43:46,302
Second from Commissioner Robinson. Any discussion on the motion?

824
00:43:48,542 --> 00:43:50,842
All those in favor, if you'll raise your right hand.

825
00:43:51,842 --> 00:43:55,662
Motion carries unanimously. Three zero, rather. I'm sorry.

826
00:43:55,722 --> 00:43:57,062
Motion carries three zero.

827
00:43:58,802 --> 00:44:02,692
Item number seven is a bid approval for the Dunbar Law Enforcement

828
00:44:02,802 --> 00:44:04,262
Training Center. Commissioner Tout.

829
00:44:04,342 --> 00:44:07,742
Yes, sir. This request is for approval of a bid on a vehicle for the use by the

830
00:44:07,762 --> 00:44:11,632
sheriff's office. It's my motion to approve the bid from Jess Miss Ford of

831
00:44:11,662 --> 00:44:15,532
Byron, Georgia, in the amount of $48,363.12

832
00:44:15,562 --> 00:44:19,462
for a Ford F-154 drive truck. This truck

833
00:44:19,472 --> 00:44:23,382
will replace a 2019 Dodge Ram with high mileage and needed maintenance at the

834
00:44:23,462 --> 00:44:25,802
Ed Dunbar Law Enforcement Training Center.

835
00:44:25,812 --> 00:44:29,182
This purchase will be reimbursed by the drug fund.

836
00:44:29,222 --> 00:44:31,722
We have a motion to approve. Do I hear a second?

837
00:44:31,902 --> 00:44:32,402
I'll second.

838
00:44:32,982 --> 00:44:34,402
Second from Commissioner Byrd.

839
00:44:35,642 --> 00:44:36,922
Any discussion on the motion?

840
00:44:38,882 --> 00:44:42,542
I want to thank the sheriff for the use of the drug fund money

841
00:44:42,602 --> 00:44:44,402
to purchase this vehicle.

842
00:44:45,262 --> 00:44:47,502
Appreciate his cooperation there.

843
00:44:49,002 --> 00:44:52,302
We have a motion from Commissioner Tout and a second from Commissioner Byrd.

844
00:44:52,332 --> 00:44:54,922
All those in favor, if you'll raise your right hand.

845
00:44:54,962 --> 00:44:56,362
Motion carries three zero.

846
00:44:58,022 --> 00:45:01,542
Item number eight is bad debt write-off in the

847
00:45:01,582 --> 00:45:03,142
utility system. Commissioner Byrd.

848
00:45:03,502 --> 00:45:07,192
Yes, sir. This request is for the write-off of bad debt in the water

849
00:45:07,222 --> 00:45:10,022
fund and solid waste fund for fiscal year

850
00:45:10,202 --> 00:45:13,722
2026. I'd like to offer a motion to approve

851
00:45:14,142 --> 00:45:14,882
the write-off of

852
00:45:14,892 --> 00:45:18,382
$27,615.64

853
00:45:18,502 --> 00:45:20,962
of bad debt in the water fund and

854
00:45:21,022 --> 00:45:24,822
$16,242.52 of bad

855
00:45:24,902 --> 00:45:26,322
debt in the solid waste fund,

856
00:45:26,842 --> 00:45:30,602
$15,173.33 for

857
00:45:30,622 --> 00:45:34,202
collections, and $1,069.19

858
00:45:34,542 --> 00:45:38,172
for disposal. These amounts are well less than

859
00:45:38,362 --> 00:45:41,982
1% of all revenues collected in these departments, and efforts will be made to

860
00:45:42,002 --> 00:45:43,562
continue to collect this bad debt.

861
00:45:44,582 --> 00:45:48,242
We have a motion to approve from Commissioner Byrd the bad debt write-off.

862
00:45:48,302 --> 00:45:49,202
Do I hear a second?

863
00:45:49,642 --> 00:45:50,442
I'll second it.

864
00:45:50,522 --> 00:45:54,342
Second from Commissioner Robinson. Any discussion on the motion?

865
00:45:56,122 --> 00:45:59,752
This is a necessary step in closing out the fiscal year.

866
00:46:01,482 --> 00:46:05,422
As is stated in the motion, we do continued efforts to

867
00:46:06,622 --> 00:46:08,782
collect this debt.

868
00:46:09,922 --> 00:46:13,802
Last year, we collected about 5% of the debt that we wrote off

869
00:46:14,002 --> 00:46:15,822
after the fiscal year was closed.

870
00:46:17,102 --> 00:46:20,802
This is less bad debt than we had last year as well.

871
00:46:21,582 --> 00:46:23,902
So we're trending in the right direction.

872
00:46:25,302 --> 00:46:28,642
We have a motion from Commissioner Byrd and a second from Commissioner Robinson.

873
00:46:29,262 --> 00:46:31,022
All those in favor, if you'll raise your right hand.

874
00:46:31,962 --> 00:46:33,482
Motion carries three zero.

875
00:46:36,702 --> 00:46:40,192
Item number nine is a work detail agreement for the Georgia Department of

876
00:46:40,202 --> 00:46:41,702
Corrections. Commissioner Byrd.

877
00:46:41,962 --> 00:46:45,662
Yes, sir. This request is to approve the fiscal year '27 work

878
00:46:45,682 --> 00:46:49,162
detail agreement with the Georgia Department of Corrections.

879
00:46:49,852 --> 00:46:53,782
I'd like to offer a motion to approve signing a work detail agreement

880
00:46:53,822 --> 00:46:57,522
with the Georgia Department of Corrections for five work details at a

881
00:46:57,602 --> 00:46:59,002
cost not to exceed

882
00:46:59,402 --> 00:47:03,162
$284,811.45.

883
00:47:04,002 --> 00:47:07,742
This agreement will be funded as follows: two crews from solid waste

884
00:47:07,762 --> 00:47:11,522
collections, two crews from the water department, and one crew from

885
00:47:11,562 --> 00:47:12,762
solid waste disposal.

886
00:47:14,122 --> 00:47:17,312
We have a motion to approve from Commissioner Byrd. Do I have a second?

887
00:47:17,742 --> 00:47:18,042
Second.

888
00:47:18,762 --> 00:47:22,282
Second from Commissioner Tout. Any discussion on the motion?

889
00:47:24,262 --> 00:47:26,302
All those in favor, if you'll raise your right hand.

890
00:47:27,202 --> 00:47:28,822
Motion carries three zero.

891
00:47:30,762 --> 00:47:34,402
Item number 10 is approval of the bids. Commissioner Byrd.

892
00:47:34,942 --> 00:47:38,602
Yes, sir. I would like to offer a motion to approve the payment of the bills

893
00:47:38,702 --> 00:47:39,122
totaling

894
00:47:39,132 --> 00:47:42,922
$3,079,496.

895
00:47:44,822 --> 00:47:48,562
We have a motion from Commissioner Byrd to approve the payment of the bills.

896
00:47:48,622 --> 00:47:49,522
Do I hear a second?

897
00:47:49,722 --> 00:47:50,732
I'll second it.

898
00:47:50,822 --> 00:47:54,302
Second from Commissioner Robinson. Any discussion on the motion?

899
00:47:56,562 --> 00:47:58,652
All those in favor, if you'll raise your right hand.

900
00:47:59,582 --> 00:48:01,282
Motion carries three zero.

901
00:48:04,142 --> 00:48:07,702
This time, we will open up the lectern for general public

902
00:48:07,822 --> 00:48:11,302
comments. I appreciate all those who offered comments on specific

903
00:48:11,482 --> 00:48:11,922
items.

904
00:48:13,662 --> 00:48:17,342
This time, we'll open up the lectern for general public comments.

905
00:48:17,442 --> 00:48:21,362
If you'll do me a favor, if you'll keep your comments limited to about

906
00:48:21,422 --> 00:48:25,142
five minutes. Keep them directed towards members of this board, not members of the

907
00:48:25,242 --> 00:48:26,402
audience or staff.

908
00:48:27,302 --> 00:48:30,902
Keep them generally respectful and

909
00:48:31,322 --> 00:48:31,902
polite,

910
00:48:32,882 --> 00:48:34,682
and free of foul language.

911
00:48:35,962 --> 00:48:36,402
And

912
00:48:38,102 --> 00:48:40,782
at this time, the lectern is open for public comments

913
00:48:43,652 --> 00:48:44,952
Yes, sir, Mr. Andrews

914
00:48:54,892 --> 00:48:57,032
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, commissioners.

915
00:48:57,292 --> 00:49:00,952
I just want to say a few words to expand upon the

916
00:49:00,972 --> 00:49:04,792
presentation that was given to Mr. Felder this evening.

917
00:49:05,392 --> 00:49:09,112
I've known George his whole career, because I worked here

918
00:49:09,172 --> 00:49:10,132
longer than he has.

919
00:49:11,252 --> 00:49:14,812
But I want to just say this. George is too

920
00:49:14,872 --> 00:49:16,992
humble to say anything,

921
00:49:17,932 --> 00:49:19,752
and I don't want to

922
00:49:21,612 --> 00:49:23,592
humiliate him by saying this, but

923
00:49:25,312 --> 00:49:28,872
George's service goes way beyond his years of service.

924
00:49:28,972 --> 00:49:32,552
You can see the effects of his service

925
00:49:32,592 --> 00:49:36,412
throughout the county. For those who are not familiar with the

926
00:49:36,472 --> 00:49:39,532
work that he's done, you can see the fruits of his labor.

927
00:49:40,972 --> 00:49:44,272
The corridor from Houston Lake Road to 127,

928
00:49:44,812 --> 00:49:48,332
there's a median there, and in that median, there are crape

929
00:49:48,432 --> 00:49:51,802
myrtles, and George gets out there yearly and

930
00:49:52,252 --> 00:49:54,972
prunes those crape myrtles. I wouldn't do it

931
00:49:55,872 --> 00:49:59,532
because he's only got this much room to work upon and there's

932
00:49:59,652 --> 00:50:02,892
speeding motorists coming through there all the time.

933
00:50:02,912 --> 00:50:04,872
But he diligently gets out there and do that.

934
00:50:05,362 --> 00:50:09,072
If you ride around at some of the other public buildings and you take

935
00:50:09,472 --> 00:50:12,632
notice of the nice landscaping, sodded yards,

936
00:50:13,212 --> 00:50:16,752
shrubs, trees, that's the work of Mr. Felder right there.

937
00:50:17,892 --> 00:50:21,712
That's his work. His work shows because he's a

938
00:50:21,772 --> 00:50:25,012
dedicated employee, and I want his family to know that,

939
00:50:25,572 --> 00:50:28,152
because some evenings, I work evenings

940
00:50:29,012 --> 00:50:32,292
a couple times during the month, he'll be up in this

941
00:50:32,332 --> 00:50:35,792
building beyond the call of 5:00,

942
00:50:36,792 --> 00:50:40,292
buffing and having his crews clean and polish these floors.

943
00:50:40,852 --> 00:50:43,802
So polished you can almost see your reflection in them.

944
00:50:45,012 --> 00:50:48,912
That's going beyond. And lastly, I just want to also compliment him

945
00:50:48,972 --> 00:50:51,412
on, he's a retired military veteran.

946
00:50:52,032 --> 00:50:55,132
So he's served his country, his home county of Houston

947
00:50:55,212 --> 00:50:59,132
County, and his family. So I just want to just expand upon

948
00:50:59,232 --> 00:51:03,032
that in the presence of his family and say how proud

949
00:51:03,132 --> 00:51:07,012
I feel to know him as a friend and for the work

950
00:51:07,052 --> 00:51:09,312
that he's done for the citizens of Houston County.

951
00:51:09,372 --> 00:51:10,472
Thank you, Mr. Andrews.

952
00:51:10,672 --> 00:51:10,721
Thank you.

953
00:51:10,732 --> 00:51:13,712
I appreciate that very much and concur with all those

954
00:51:13,752 --> 00:51:15,751
comments.

955
00:51:19,972 --> 00:51:22,032
Any other public comments this evening? Yes, sir.

956
00:51:22,472 --> 00:51:23,272
Anybody behind?

957
00:51:23,932 --> 00:51:24,492
I don't know.

958
00:51:26,592 --> 00:51:29,232
Oh. There's a lady waiting. She can go first. Okay.

959
00:51:29,972 --> 00:51:30,792
Hang on.

960
00:51:34,072 --> 00:51:37,432
Mr. Schwandler, Kathleen. Three topics, three minutes.

961
00:51:39,512 --> 00:51:43,412
I'm against the current build-out quite evident all across the city of Warner

962
00:51:43,472 --> 00:51:44,612
Robins in our county.

963
00:51:46,212 --> 00:51:50,132
Forests are being cleared for more strip malls, vape stores, storage

964
00:51:50,212 --> 00:51:51,572
centers, and gas stations.

965
00:51:52,972 --> 00:51:56,852
While we appear to be a fast-growing county, and I understand the economic

966
00:51:56,932 --> 00:52:00,692
benefits of such growth, we need to manage it better, my opinion.

967
00:52:01,432 --> 00:52:04,792
On the surface, it looks like every permit sought is being granted

968
00:52:06,052 --> 00:52:08,932
more and more and more. There's a

969
00:52:09,752 --> 00:52:10,792
forest missing at

970
00:52:12,212 --> 00:52:15,912
Russell and South Houston because a grocery store is going in there,

971
00:52:15,932 --> 00:52:16,212
and

972
00:52:17,132 --> 00:52:20,332
it just goes on and on, the strip malls and the gas stations.

973
00:52:21,952 --> 00:52:24,312
We're losing our trees, we're losing our shade,

974
00:52:25,632 --> 00:52:28,452
and we're increasing local temperatures by laying down

975
00:52:29,412 --> 00:52:31,152
more and more concrete, more pavement.

976
00:52:32,692 --> 00:52:35,712
To make things worse, we really don't have control over our roads.

977
00:52:36,292 --> 00:52:39,912
The state does, and we know what kind of delays and traffic

978
00:52:40,012 --> 00:52:42,872
safety issues that has caused and is causing.

979
00:52:44,752 --> 00:52:47,672
Second topic, don't get me started on Flock cameras.

980
00:52:47,792 --> 00:52:51,312
Third topic, I will come out right now against data center

981
00:52:51,392 --> 00:52:53,492
development anywhere in this county.

982
00:52:54,372 --> 00:52:58,362
Closest one is in Roberta. There's one being planned over east of

983
00:52:58,412 --> 00:52:59,352
Cochran someplace.

984
00:53:00,232 --> 00:53:04,212
And I will also reserve further comments on this issue until it appears on

985
00:53:04,272 --> 00:53:04,792
your agenda,

986
00:53:05,872 --> 00:53:09,072
but expect an argument. Plight, but expect an argument.

987
00:53:10,212 --> 00:53:13,912
For data centers, any public meetings have to occur in the early

988
00:53:13,952 --> 00:53:14,732
evening hours,

989
00:53:15,752 --> 00:53:17,292
which automatically makes it better.

990
00:53:18,792 --> 00:53:20,512
I believe the law says 6:00.

991
00:53:22,272 --> 00:53:26,252
It automatically makes it better than our local school board who insist on 1:00 PM

992
00:53:26,332 --> 00:53:26,812
meetings

993
00:53:27,672 --> 00:53:29,132
while legal guardian's at work,

994
00:53:30,072 --> 00:53:32,912
thus lowering resistance to whatever it is they want to do.

995
00:53:34,132 --> 00:53:36,312
And having said all that, I still like living here.

996
00:53:36,332 --> 00:53:39,092
It's still a nice county and I appreciate your time. Thank you.

997
00:53:39,332 --> 00:53:41,412
Thank you, Mr. Schwandler. Always good to hear from you.

998
00:53:43,392 --> 00:53:44,912
Any other public comment this evening?

999
00:53:46,932 --> 00:53:50,912
All right. That being the case, we will turn to commissioner comments, and

1000
00:53:51,112 --> 00:53:54,752
I will turn first to Commissioner Towten.

1001
00:53:55,372 --> 00:53:59,172
All right. Thank you everyone for coming. I'm going to start off with Mr.

1002
00:53:59,392 --> 00:54:01,252
Hall. I

1003
00:54:02,532 --> 00:54:05,292
look to you as a man of faith, number one, which is most important.

1004
00:54:06,452 --> 00:54:10,412
And you've always provided me sound advice, information I

1005
00:54:10,432 --> 00:54:12,052
always know I could take to the bank.

1006
00:54:12,132 --> 00:54:12,242
And

1007
00:54:13,452 --> 00:54:17,382
we've had some pretty contentious situations over my tenure, and I've

1008
00:54:17,512 --> 00:54:21,462
always never doubted what you said for being the truth and what

1009
00:54:21,512 --> 00:54:25,392
is true and what is just. So thank you for being that guy that I can

1010
00:54:25,432 --> 00:54:25,912
lean on.

1011
00:54:26,792 --> 00:54:30,492
Again, Mr. Felder, thank you for what you do, whether it's seen or

1012
00:54:30,552 --> 00:54:31,092
unseen.

1013
00:54:32,072 --> 00:54:35,132
It's a true honor to serve alongside of employees like you.

1014
00:54:35,992 --> 00:54:39,512
This county's definitely a better place because of employees like you, and I hope

1015
00:54:39,572 --> 00:54:43,302
you just influence the younger generation the importance of hard work and

1016
00:54:43,372 --> 00:54:46,892
loyalty. So hope you've made an impact there, and just thank you everyone for

1017
00:54:46,952 --> 00:54:49,882
coming, all those that came up to the lectern to express their concerns about

1018
00:54:49,992 --> 00:54:52,392
various topics. Thank you all for coming.

1019
00:54:52,432 --> 00:54:54,432
We definitely take those into consideration.

1020
00:54:55,112 --> 00:54:56,612
And that's all I have.

1021
00:54:57,132 --> 00:54:58,812
Thank you, Commissioner Towten. Commissioner Byrd?

1022
00:54:59,732 --> 00:55:00,452
Yes, sir.

1023
00:55:02,422 --> 00:55:06,182
I like the way we started this meeting, leaning heavy

1024
00:55:06,262 --> 00:55:06,632
into,

1025
00:55:07,522 --> 00:55:09,602
I think, the pillars of a healthy community,

1026
00:55:10,402 --> 00:55:12,622
faith, family, and service to others.

1027
00:55:13,162 --> 00:55:16,862
And appreciate Reverend Brown's message to

1028
00:55:16,902 --> 00:55:17,382
community.

1029
00:55:18,802 --> 00:55:22,662
I appreciate the family on display with Mr. Hall and Mr.

1030
00:55:22,902 --> 00:55:26,812
Felder, and to both of you gentlemen, sincere and dedicated service to the

1031
00:55:26,882 --> 00:55:30,362
citizens of this county. The service that we

1032
00:55:30,422 --> 00:55:32,402
recognized just prior to this meeting,

1033
00:55:33,202 --> 00:55:36,702
18 employees with a combined 340

1034
00:55:36,922 --> 00:55:40,322
years of service in this county government, is truly

1035
00:55:40,362 --> 00:55:41,002
remarkable.

1036
00:55:41,922 --> 00:55:42,582
It's why

1037
00:55:43,402 --> 00:55:46,742
we provide service to the citizens of this county at a high level.

1038
00:55:47,902 --> 00:55:49,602
Those individuals have

1039
00:55:51,002 --> 00:55:54,962
invested their professional lives into this county government,

1040
00:55:55,422 --> 00:55:59,322
and it will continue after them because of the culture that they

1041
00:55:59,382 --> 00:56:01,822
have built, and I'm truly, truly thankful for that.

1042
00:56:03,062 --> 00:56:06,602
Got one other personal recognition here. Would like to congratulate Ms.

1043
00:56:06,722 --> 00:56:10,662
Kelly Moore on being named Superior Court Judge

1044
00:56:10,702 --> 00:56:14,202
of Houston County, succeeding Judge Luke Meyer, and appreciate

1045
00:56:15,442 --> 00:56:19,142
Judge Moore's willingness to serve, and wish her all the best in that regard.

1046
00:56:19,942 --> 00:56:20,482
Thank you, sir.

1047
00:56:20,622 --> 00:56:22,882
Thank you, Commissioner Byrd. Commissioner Robinson.

1048
00:56:23,682 --> 00:56:27,502
Yes. He said it very well. I can't...

1049
00:56:29,442 --> 00:56:32,622
What he said, because basically I'm repeating it again.

1050
00:56:33,482 --> 00:56:37,222
But Mr. Hall, how long have you been working as a

1051
00:56:37,282 --> 00:56:41,052
county attorney? How long have you been the actual county

1052
00:56:41,102 --> 00:56:44,742
attorney and how long have you been working for the county attorney as the county

1053
00:56:44,802 --> 00:56:45,982
attorney when we came?

1054
00:56:46,762 --> 00:56:50,462
Full-time, it's been since 2014,

1055
00:56:51,122 --> 00:56:54,712
but I started as Assistant County Attorney in 1993.

1056
00:56:55,182 --> 00:56:55,192
Okay.

1057
00:56:55,322 --> 00:56:57,522
So, about 33 years.

1058
00:56:57,582 --> 00:57:00,442
That's what I was thinking, because I know, yes, you've been here the whole time

1059
00:57:00,562 --> 00:57:04,482
I've been here, and I know that you've been doing a great

1060
00:57:04,542 --> 00:57:08,422
job for the county, and I also appreciate your advice and

1061
00:57:08,482 --> 00:57:12,172
know that we can count on you to do the good work. And Mr.

1062
00:57:12,402 --> 00:57:14,892
Felder and your family, y'all, thank you for staying.

1063
00:57:15,462 --> 00:57:18,952
We appreciate you being here, but thank you for coming to receive your 30 years of

1064
00:57:19,062 --> 00:57:22,842
service. We appreciate dedicated employees like you, and

1065
00:57:22,922 --> 00:57:24,662
it's just our hope that

1066
00:57:26,002 --> 00:57:29,362
we will continue to be good to you and you can

1067
00:57:29,402 --> 00:57:33,362
continue to do your great job for us, and we thank

1068
00:57:33,422 --> 00:57:37,122
you for being a dedicated employee for all these years.

1069
00:57:37,962 --> 00:57:41,662
But again, thank everybody for coming to make their comments.

1070
00:57:41,732 --> 00:57:45,622
It was a good meeting and understanding, and I

1071
00:57:45,662 --> 00:57:48,982
just am glad to be here this evening, so thank you.

1072
00:57:49,062 --> 00:57:50,122
Thank you, Commissioner Robinson.

1073
00:57:50,162 --> 00:57:54,142
I think you were trying to hint there that you were 16 years old

1074
00:57:54,182 --> 00:57:57,422
when Mr. Hall started as the county attorney? All right.

1075
00:57:59,262 --> 00:58:02,482
Thank you all for being here this evening.

1076
00:58:02,602 --> 00:58:05,522
Thank you for the good work that the commission accomplished this evening.

1077
00:58:05,562 --> 00:58:09,162
Thank you for the public participation and the comments that help

1078
00:58:09,202 --> 00:58:13,162
inform our decisions. Want to update folks on

1079
00:58:13,202 --> 00:58:16,502
just a couple of things. Number one, we are in active

1080
00:58:16,542 --> 00:58:20,062
development of the well on Highway

1081
00:58:20,242 --> 00:58:24,122
127, both a well and a new water treatment facility there.

1082
00:58:24,222 --> 00:58:27,492
We're at about 90% plans on the water treatment facility.

1083
00:58:28,642 --> 00:58:31,442
We had our 24-hour pump test

1084
00:58:34,182 --> 00:58:35,862
two weeks ago, and

1085
00:58:36,762 --> 00:58:40,722
we have not gotten back all of the test results on water quality, but

1086
00:58:40,782 --> 00:58:41,442
I can tell you,

1087
00:58:42,762 --> 00:58:46,502
as Mr. Jones said, or Mr. Dunbar, I cannot remember which, the

1088
00:58:46,602 --> 00:58:50,302
well is generous, which means that it's producing a lot of water.

1089
00:58:51,522 --> 00:58:54,992
It will be up to what we plan in terms of

1090
00:58:55,042 --> 00:58:58,992
water. We anticipate somewhere in the neighborhood of two and

1091
00:58:59,002 --> 00:59:02,702
a half million gallons a day out of that individual well.

1092
00:59:03,162 --> 00:59:06,902
Also want to thank the neighbors for understanding, as

1093
00:59:07,642 --> 00:59:09,022
there's a lot of water that

1094
00:59:10,422 --> 00:59:11,242
must enter the

1095
00:59:12,942 --> 00:59:14,062
stormwater system

1096
00:59:14,902 --> 00:59:18,242
in and around that surrounding area during that time, and

1097
00:59:18,682 --> 00:59:21,722
sometimes that can result in some water in ditches.

1098
00:59:21,762 --> 00:59:24,782
And so I appreciate the understanding and patience.

1099
00:59:24,842 --> 00:59:28,502
We did a good job, Mr. Deitch and his crew, as well as our

1100
00:59:28,562 --> 00:59:31,882
contractor, communicating with neighbors and giving them a heads-up that that was

1101
00:59:31,902 --> 00:59:35,422
going to happen, and they were understanding and patient with us.

1102
00:59:35,462 --> 00:59:38,002
So I appreciate that understanding and patience.

1103
00:59:38,742 --> 00:59:42,482
We got the tax digest back. Mr. Dunbar, was that late last

1104
00:59:42,622 --> 00:59:44,862
week or early this week? Late last week.

1105
00:59:45,642 --> 00:59:49,342
And initial numbers indicate that we will be

1106
00:59:49,722 --> 00:59:53,302
targeting a full millage rate rollback for the citizens of Houston

1107
00:59:53,422 --> 00:59:53,782
County.

1108
00:59:55,022 --> 00:59:58,982
That, combined with the floating homestead tax exemption,

1109
01:00:00,462 --> 01:00:00,782
will

1110
01:00:02,162 --> 01:00:05,962
continue to try and keep property taxes

1111
01:00:06,402 --> 01:00:10,162
under control as much as we can. Our millage

1112
01:00:10,222 --> 01:00:14,102
rate will continue to decrease here in Houston County, and

1113
01:00:14,142 --> 01:00:17,542
we're excited about that. And we look forward to next

1114
01:00:17,622 --> 01:00:21,502
year when the floating local option sales tax

1115
01:00:21,582 --> 01:00:22,482
recently passed

1116
01:00:23,402 --> 01:00:27,142
by voters will have a far larger rollback

1117
01:00:27,802 --> 01:00:30,582
for most people's tax bills in Houston County as well.

1118
01:00:31,542 --> 01:00:33,902
Thank you for the good work this evening. Board, Mr.

1119
01:00:34,102 --> 01:00:38,022
Hall, again, happy birthday. We will not sing to

1120
01:00:38,122 --> 01:00:38,282
you,

1121
01:00:39,182 --> 01:00:42,962
although if Commissioner Touton would like to after we adjourn, he is welcome

1122
01:00:43,062 --> 01:00:46,542
to. All right. With that, I will take a motion for adjournment.

1123
01:00:47,722 --> 01:00:48,242
So moved.

1124
01:00:48,282 --> 01:00:48,562
Second.

1125
01:00:48,622 --> 01:00:52,122
We have a motion from Commissioner Touton, and we have a second from Commissioner

1126
01:00:52,242 --> 01:00:55,342
Byrd. All those in favor, if you'll raise your right hand.

1127
01:00:56,462 --> 01:00:57,502
We're adjourned. Thank you.