The new Tax Assessor is Richard Holcomb, nominated and appointed by acclamation.

That’s to fill the unexpired term of Gene Felts, who was appointed two weeks ago, got sworn in, and resigned before his first Tax Assessor meeting.

This time, Lowndes County Manager Paige Dukes did read out the list of remaining candidates.

However, we the taxpayers and voters still do not get to see the applications, which are not in this board packet, either.

Collage @ LCC Regular 23 January 2024

The County Manager’s Report took six minutes.

Commissioner Mark Wisenbaker wanted to know more about the Animal Shelter budget, which took another minute.

A citizen waved around her Citizens Wishing to Be Heard (CWTBH) form and asked to speak, but was predictably told by Chairman Bill Slaughter that she could not because she did not turn in the form before the meeting. I’m told her name is Kelley Saxon.

In Georgia, many other county commissions converse with citizens during the meeting without requiring a form.

Meanwhile, in Florida, by state law any citizen can speak on any agenda item.

The whole meeting took 16 minutes.

See also the LAKE videos of the previous morning’s six-minute Work Session, and the agenda.

The board packet, received in response to a LAKE open records request, is on the LAKE website.

Below are links to each LAKE video of each agenda item, with a few notes by Gretchen Quarterman, followed by a LAKE video playlist.

• 1. Call to Order 2. Invocation 3. Pledge
  

  Video.

• 4. Minutes for Approval
  

  Video.

• 5.a. Appointment to the Board of Tax Assessors
  

  Video.

  Richard Holcomb nominated and appointed by acclamation.

• 6.a. Special Assessment Rate for 2024
  

  Video.

• 6.b. Approval of the District Attorney’s Federal VOCA Grant Renewal
  

  Video.

• 6.c. InfoSend Bill Print Contract
  

  Video.

• 6.d. Agreement with Cornerstone
  

  Video.

• 7. Reports – County Manager
  

  Video.

• Commission Comments
  

  Video.

• 8. CWTBH (none — you need to turn your paper in by 5:30) 9. Adjournment
  

  Video.

Here is a LAKE video playlist:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLshUv86fYkiEsQlgaJbaCMfhiETDVP-49&si=OxF2PbS8I5RrdetS

Regular Session, Lowndes County Commission, Valdosta, Georgia, Tuesday, January 23, 2024
Videos by Gretchen Quarterman for Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange (LAKE)

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