Another meeting so long it had to be interrupted by the second scheduled Public Hearing on opting out of the state homestead exemption law: Tuesday evening’s Lowndes County Commission Regular Session.
![[Bethany Drive & River Run Passed over GLPC recommendation, Lowndes County Commission, February 11, 2025]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2025-02-11--lcc-regular-videos/many.jpg)
The longest items Tuesday evening were the same that had had opposition in the Planning Commission.
5.a. REZ-2025-01 Hurtado Property, Bethany Dr., ~6.4ac, R-A to R-1 after much opposition and discussion passed 3:1 with a condition: no more than 5 residences.
5.d. REZ-2025-04 River Run Farm, 6490 River Run, ~27ac., C-C to R-21. passed 3:2 with Chairman Bill Slaughter breaking a tie.
Commissioner Mark Wisenbaker was not present the entire meeting.
Everything else passed unanimously.
For 5.c. REZ-2025-03 Thomas Linville, 4888 Break Thru Rd., ~16.3ac, R-1 to E-A the applicant clarified that he does not use chemicals for fire retardant, only water, most of his work is computer work, and there will be no big light on the property.
Two items passed 3:0 because a Commissioner had stepped out of the room.
Commissioner Smith was out for 6.a. Resolution Authorizing Lowndes Co. Tax Com. to Receive Checks etc..
Commissioner Orenstein was out for 6.h. Rules and Regulations for Claims for Refunds of Taxes
For 6.f. Acceptance of Hazard Mitigation Grant for Generators Commissioner Orenstein noted that when Ashley Tye fixes a problem, it does not cost the county anything. See also 7. County Manager Report about FEMA, GEMA, and water wells.
Below are links to each LAKE video of each agenda item, with a few notes by John S. Quarterman, followed by a LAKE video playlist.
See also the LAKE videos of the preceding morning’s Work Session: http://www.l-a-k-e.org/blog/2025/02/videos-four-rezonings-mobile-home-decals-lift-station-pump-tax-refunds-lcc-work-2025-02-10.html
And the agenda and the Lowndes County Commission board packet, received in response to a LAKE open records request:
http://www.l-a-k-e.org/blog/2025/02/videos-four-rezonings-mobile-home-decals-lift-station-pump-tax-refunds-lcc-work-2025-02-10.html
For the separate homestead exemption opt-out Public Hearing, see:
http://www.l-a-k-e.org/blog/2025/02/videos-lowndes-county-considers-opting-out-of-house-bill-581-public-hearing-2025-02-11.html
For the rezonings, see also the preceding Greater Lowndes Planning Commission (GLPC) board packet materials, its agenda, and the LAKE videos of the GLPC meeting.
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1. Order 2. Invocation 3. Pledge
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3. Minutes For Approval a. Work Ses. 2025-01-27 – Regular Ses. – 2025-01-28
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5.a. REZ-2025-01 Hurtado Property, Bethany Dr., ~6.4ac, R-A to R-1
Video:
https://youtu.be/EXMKaJJeLuI5.a. REZ-2025-01 Hurtado Property, Bethany Dr., ~6.4ac, R-A to R-1, County Water & Septic
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5.a. REZ-2025-01 Mathew and Debra Williams against
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5.a. REZ-2025-01 Lincy Hurtado in favor and Commissioner questions
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5.a. REZ-2025-01 Hurtado passed 3:1 w. condition: no more than 5 residences
Video:
https://youtu.be/h6LJJ1DpR0YMotion by Scottie Orenstein approve with condition of no more than five residences on the property
Second by Michael Smith.
For: Marshall, Smith, Orenstein
Against: Joyce Evans
Passed 3:1. -
5.b. REZ-2025-02 Hamilton Green Ph. 2, 4618 Bemiss Rd, 1.12ac, C-G to P-D,
Video:
https://youtu.be/hC5Uc7o2a1w5.b. REZ-2025-02 Hamilton Green Ph. 2, 4618 Bemiss Rd, 1.12ac, C-G to P-D, County Utilities
Nobody spoke against.
Advance Engineering spoke for.
Passed unanimously 4:0. -
5.c. REZ-2025-03 Thomas Linville, 4888 Break Thru Rd., ~16.3ac, R-1 to E-A
Video:
https://youtu.be/gtSHZmirRTc5.c. REZ-2025-03 Thomas Linville, 4888 Break Thru Rd., ~16.3ac, R-1 to E-A, Well & Septic
Nobody spoke against.
Linville spoke for.
Commissioner Scottie Orenstein asked about fire equipment.
Applicant says he doesn’t do chemicals: only water sprinklers, and most of his work is planning with computers.
Also no big light.
Approved 4:0. -
Adjourn into HB 581 Public Hearing
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5.d. REZ-2025-04 River Run Farm, 6490 River Run, ~27ac., C-C to R-21
Video:
https://youtu.be/FiHC2iFyLoI5.d. REZ-2025-04 River Run Farm, 6490 River Run, ~27ac., C-C to R-21, County Water & Septic
Much opposition.
Much discussion of water wells and what the county is doing about them.The applicant spoke for.
Chip Wildes spoke for: he owns 70 acres next door on the Alapaha River (Sandbar LLC, 0259 030) and is concerned about people calling 911 about hunting.
Robert Dinkins spoke for, reminding he started that the Lake Alapaha development in 1985, and the CC zoned area was due to aspiration for stores that never happened in 40 years.
Amy Watts, Natures Way, Naylor rebutted regarding water quality: moral obligation for people coming into the neighborhood to know what they
are getting into, especially with the water problems.Commissioner Demarcus Marshall moved to deny, but got no second.
Commissioner Scottie Orenstein moved to approve with no conditions and the county get busy on solving the water problems.
Marshall and Smith voted against.
Orenstein and Evans voted for.
Chairman split the tie by voting for.
Motion to approve passed 3:2. -
6.a. Resolution Authorizing Lowndes Co. Tax Com. to Receive Checks etc.
Video:
https://youtu.be/jrRAienCrkM6.a. Resolution Authorizing the Lowndes County Tax Commissioner to Receive Checks and Money Orders in Payment of Taxes and Licenses
Passed 3.0. Commissioner Smith had stepped out of the room.
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6.b. A Resolution Electing Not to Require Mobile Home Decals
Video:
https://youtu.be/UJprVvmMoF0
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6.c. Beer and Wine License – Manishkumar Patel of Kasumbal 2025 LLC
Video:
https://youtu.be/0_tLdxv9wo86.c. Beer and Wine License – Manishkumar Patel of Kasumbal 2025 LLC, DBA Busy Food Mart, 6901 Bellville Road, Lake Park, GA
Change of ownership.
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6.d. New Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Software
Video:
https://youtu.be/Ldc8HFl05gE
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6.e. Whitewater Road Lift Station Pump
Video:
https://youtu.be/I6RzjDaNsdUTypical installation 1-2 months. Under warranty.
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6.f. Acceptance of Hazard Mitigation Grant for Generators
Video:
https://youtu.be/i_zdNETlnlQTo avoid what happened during Hurricane Helene, when many subdivisions were without water.
Commissioner Orenstein noted that when Ashley Tye fixes a problem, it doesn’t cost the county anything.
Chairman Bill Slaughter noted that the complete fix is transfer switches and generators on site.
Ashley Tye said then the generators would switch on just like for the Commission meeting building.
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6.g. The Crescent Place of Historic Interest Tax Exemption
Video:
https://youtu.be/oomLTcfXccECounty Manager Paige Dukes credited Chief Appraiser Lisa Bryant with finding the old records that qualify the Crescent for tax exemption.
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6.h. Rules and Regulations for Claims for Refunds of Taxes
Video:
https://youtu.be/G7mAYhvBLr4Passed 3:0. Commissioner Orenstein had stepped out of the room.
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7. County Manager Report
Video:
https://youtu.be/7E_MbSnVslcCounty Manager said FEMA has clarified that the same process the county just approved for private nursing homes can be applied to private water systems. Each would have to apply separately, and if accepted FEMA would pay 75%.
The 25% would be split between GEMA and the water system owner.
No cost to the county.
She didn’t ask for a vote, merely lack of objection.
The Chairman spoke in favor.
There was no objection.
Commissioner Orenstein said he had already been talking to GEFA about the 25%.
He is on the GEFA board, and is a past GEFA Chairman. -
9. Adjournment
Here is the LAKE video playlist:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLshUv86fYkiE7pQNi2iEgzacjAIiPxBFK&si=MIqEZjaHo9JpYnz6
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