There was pushback on lowering the millage rate at the Lowndes County Commission Work Session yesterday morning. They will decide this evening at 5:30 PM at the Regular Session.

The Commissioners, like some of the public, also wanted to know when there will be a new County Clerk. Answer, from the former County Clerk, Paige Dukes, who is now the County Manager: not yet; maybe next meeting (two weeks from now).

The $0.9 million low bid from Reames for road paving and a box culvert got no discussion from Commissioners.

The Scruggs Company was offered a special exception to the Comprehensive Plan; one that actually makes sense.

Yes, the Copeland property backs up to PCA.

The Verizon tower got no questions from Commissioners.

Below are links to each LAKE video with a few notes, followed by a LAKE video playlist. See also the agenda and board packet, and the millage rate hearing at 5PM today (Tuesday).

• Before
  

  Video.

• 1. Order 4. Minutes for Approval
  

  Video.

• 5.a. REZ-2020-07 The Scruggs Company, 4621 Old US 41 N. R-1 to M-1, Well and Septic
  

  Video.

  County Planner JD Dillard described the project and said, “Overall, staff finds the request inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan. However, we cite Goal 5: to protect community resources through efficient and compatible uses of land, and to promote opportunities for investment and growth.” Also Scruggs plans on maintaining the south tree buffer, and GLPC recommends approval.

  County Chairman Bill Slaughter wanted to know if they planned to keep the residential house there.

  Yes.

  Commissioner Mark Wisenbaker wanted to know if the existing house was owned by The Scruggs Company.

  Yes.

  The Chairman said they bought that property about a year ago.

• 5.b. REZ-2020-08 Copeland Property Tucker Road and Johnson Road South E-A to R-A
  

  Video.

  Commissioner Mark Wisenbaker wanted to know, “Does this back up to Owens-Illinois, or PCA?”

  Yes.

• 5.c. REZ-2020-09 Richard Hill, Old Clyattville Rd. E-A to R-A, Well and Septic
  

  Video.

  County Planner Dillard noted that this property was originally zoned R-A in 2006 when the ULDC was adopted, but the owners asked to go to E-A.

• 5.d. TWR-2020-01 Verizon Wireless, Old State Road 0258-003, E-A, New ~165′ Monopole
  

  Video.

  Planner Dillard said the tower is to fill a gap in Verizon service; will help with 911 calls, and staff find it consistent with future land use.

• 6.a. Adoption of Millage Rate
  

  Video.

  County Finance Director Stephanie Black said the required public hearing would be 5PM Tuesday, with the vote at the 5:30 PM Regular Session.

  Commissioner Mark Wisenbaker wanted to know if there was any requirement to roll back, a rule, a law, and what if they did nothing?

  Finance Director Black said that would require three public hearings and that would set back settling the millage for three weeks.

  Chairman Slaughter said he and Commissioner Wisenbaker had discussed this, and that his (Slaughter’s) view was that if there was an opportunity to roll back, they should do that, because sometimes there was a need to increase the millage.

• 7.a. Ridgecrest, Woodland and Glenview Paving \u0026 Drainage Project
  

  Video.

  County Engineer Mike Fletcher said this would involve paving of Ridgecrest and Woodland, and installing the box culvert under Glenview Drive. Three bids, bid tabulation attached. Engineer recommends low bid, which was from Reames and Son Construction.

  He didn’t say the price on the low bid, which is $899,744.40.

  
  Bids, NC-TIA 2019-04: Ridgecrest Street and Woodland Drive

• 8. Reports — County Manager
  

  Video.

  County Manager Paige Dukes reminded the Commissioners of the millage rate hearing at 5PM before the Tuesday 5:30 PM Regular Session, and said that at the Regular Session they could decide whether to go ahead with lowering the millage rate or to set up three weeks of public hearings to keep the millage the same.

  Commissioner Mark Wisenbaker wanted to know, “Have we had any movement in our staff as far as positions?”

  “No sir.”

  So we haven’t identified a clerk yet?

  “No. We should have this coming to you next meeting.”

Here’s a LAKE video playlist:

Videos: Maybe revisit lowering millage rate
Work Session, Lowndes County Commission (LCC),
Video by John S. Quarterman for Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange (LAKE),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 2020-08-10.

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