Adel staff answered extensive questions about the budget, in the Adel City Council meeting, Tuesday, August 8, 2020. The proposed wood pellet plant for export to Europe was criticised by several local citizens, and defended by members of local authorities and commissions, as well as its CEO, speaking from Houston, Texas, on a laptop screen.
Below are links to each LAKE video of each agenda item and each speaker, with a few notes. See also Continue reading
A busy agenda for 8:30 AM Monday morning, with voting 5:30 PM Tuesday, includes especially taxes, and alcohol, sewer, twice, education, extension agents, Prison Work Details, and Architectural Services for Lowndes County Fire Station #5 – Bemiss Road Fire Station Alterations and Additions.
![[Aerial Map]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2020-08-24--lcc-packet/August-24--25-2020-Commission-Meeting-Packet-0012.jpg)
Aerial Map for Uncle Carlo’s Italian Ristorante, 1024 Lakes Blvd., Lake Park, GA.
Plus appointment of a new County Clerk, Belinda Lovern, and Deputy Clerk, Sabrina Denson. No posting of the positions is mentioned.
| Cost | What |
|---|---|
| $147,954.00 | Annual Contract Renewal, Georgia Department of Corrections – Prison Work Details |
| $141,841.00 | Contract for Extension Agents and Staff |
| $110,000.00 | Peterson Road Lift Station Emergency Repair |
| $44,400.00 | Architectural Services for Lowndes County Fire Station #5 – Bemiss Road Fire Station Alterations and Additions |
| $41,840.00 | Nelson Hill Discharge Manhole |
| $5,699.35 | Tax Commissioners’ Back Wage Settlement with Department of Labor |
| $-32,000.00 | USDA Building Lease Amendment No. 4 |
| $459,734.35 | Total |
The Lowndes County Commission is Repealing Approvals Authorizing the Tax Commissioner to Waive Penalties and Interest, apparently because of a Tax Commissioners' Back Wage Settlement with Department of Labor.
After last year’s vote of the people to ask the Georgia legislature to make the Tax Assessors appointed, not elected, the legislature did that. Now the County Commission is setting the number of Assessors at three, with initial staggered terms of 3, 4, and 5 years, and after that 3 years for each.
This is after two weeks ago the Lowndes County Commission rolled back the tax millage rate slightly.
Here is the agenda. The entire board packet, together with the Minutes of the meetings of two weeks ago (Work Session, Millage Hearing, and Regular Session) is on LAKE website.
LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Continue reading
PROPOSED AGENDA
WORK SESSION, MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2020, 8:30 a.m.
REGULAR SESSION, TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2020, 5:30 p.m.
327 N. Ashley Street – 2nd Floor
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).
| Cost | What |
|---|---|
| $899,744.40 | Ridgecrest, Woodland and Glenview Paving & Drainage Project |
| $899,744.4 | Total |
The agenda sheet says:
Lowndes County solicited bids for Ridgecrest, Woodland and Glenview Grading, Drainage, Base and Paving. The project will consist of Grading, Drainage, Base and Paving of Ridgecrest and Woodland and the installation of a box culvert under Glenview Drive. Vendors present for the pre-bid meeting held on July 21, 2020, were James Warren & Associates, Southland Contractors, Reames & Son Construction, Rountree Construction, and The Scruggs Company. Three bids were received on August 4, 2020.
Here are the bids:
![[Bids, NC-TIA 2019-04: Ridgecrest Street and Woodland Drive]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2020-08-10--lcc-packet/rwgpdp-bids-rot.jpg)
Bids, NC-TIA 2019-04: Ridgecrest Street and Woodland Drive
Where is that? South of the west end of W Savanna Ave, near I-75 Exit 16.
![[Google map: Ridgecrest Street & Woodland Drive]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2020-08-10--lcc-packet/google-map-ridgecrest-woodland.jpg)
Google map:
Ridgecrest Street & Woodland Drive
Ah, yes, I got stuck in traffic there not so long ago, trying to get around a stopped train.
We know this much because LAKE obtained a copy of the board packet through an open records request; it’s on the LAKE website.
I suppose if we rummage around enough we’ll find details of NC-TIA 2019-04 somewhere on the county’s website.
Here is the agenda.
LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Continue reading
PROPOSED AGENDA
WORK SESSION, MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2020, 8:30 a.m.
REGULAR SESSION, TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020, 5:30 p.m.
327 N. Ashley Street – 2nd Floor
Will it take fifteen minutes, or twenty minutes, to approve almost a million dollars, in a packed agenda for Monday and Tuesday at the Lowndes County Commission? It’s mostly Property & Liability insurance, followed by a consulting contract for a go-between with Moody AFB, plus UPSes for county radio sites.
| Cost | What |
|---|---|
| $818,021.00 | ACCG IRMA Property & Liability Program Renewal |
| $96,000.00 | Agreement with Cornerstone |
| $24,257.88 | Vertiv Service Contract for the Liebert UPS at the 911 Center & the 4 Tower Sites |
| $0; past gate name it Harper’s Lane | Renaming a Portion of Sara Road |
| $0 | Acceptance of Infrastructure for Brayden Place Subdivision |
| $938,278.88 | Total |
They’ll also appoint Thomas Lovett to the South Georgia Regional Library Board, rename a road, and accept some subdivision roads.
![[Aerial Map: Sara Road Renaming]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2020-07-27--lcc-packet/July-27-28-2020-Meeting-Packet-0010.jpg)
Aerial Map: Sara Road Renaming
Received Friday 5:14 PM in response to a LAKE open records request, the board packet is on the LAKE website.
Here is the agenda:
LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Continue reading
PROPOSED AGENDA
WORK SESSION, MONDAY, JULY 27, 2020, 8:30 a.m.
REGULAR SESSION, TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2020, 5:30 p.m.
327 N. Ashley Street – 2nd Floor
$3,200,415.50 was on the agenda for this week, presumably approved by now by the Lowndes County Commission, in which they also appointed Paige Dukes to succeed Joe Pritchard as Lowndes County Manager.
| Cost | What |
|---|---|
| $2,500,000.00 | GEFA Loan Application |
| $289,498.00 | Acceptance of FY 2021 Juvenile Justice Incentive Grant |
| $198,775.00 | Fiber Optic to Lowndes EOC |
| $102,762.00 | Judicial System Software Purchase |
| $45,790.00 | Annual Contract Renewal for Mosquito Identification and Testing |
| $40,000.00 | Office of the Governor Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Accountability Court Lowndes County DUI Court- State Court |
| $23,590.50 | Approval of Clyattstone Rd.-Simpson Ln. ROW and Easement Purchases (Parcels 26 and 34) |
| $0.00 | Amendment to TPO Agreement FY2021 – Transit |
| $3,200,415.50 | Total |
That’s 2.6% of the $120 million county annual budget.
Curious that they’re willing to spend $198,775.00 for fast, reliabile, Internet connectivity to their own offices but nothing for the rest of the population of Lowndes County.
I’ve lost track of how much they’ve spent on Clyattstone Road to connect Old US 41 N and Val Del Road to promote development in that area.
I commend the county for the GEFA Loan Application for wastewater utilities projects:
HISTORY, FACTS AND ISSUES: The Georgia Environmental Finance Authority offers funding through the State Revolving Fund. Local governments are able to secure low interest loans to be used for utility projects. Lowndes County has identified several lift station and manhole rehabilitation improvement projects.
The loan can be structured to spread repayment over a period of up to 30 years; however, there is no penalty for paying the loan off early. The proposed interest rate will not exceed 1.94% While the total loan amount is $2,500,000.00 it includes a grant component which allows for forgiveness of up to $625,000.00 of the loan amount. Staff recommends approval of the GEFA Loan Application.
The entire board packet is on the LAKE website. Documents received 12:26 PM, Friday, July 10, 2020, in response to a LAKE open records request. LAKE looks forward to these documents being posted on the county’s own website along with the agenda. Continue reading
On August 1, 2020, Paige Dukes will be the new County Manager, after the 20-year reign of Joe Pritchard.
Paige Dukes, County Clerk, Lunch and Learn, 2011-10-13
Chris Herbert, Valdosta Daily Times, 14 July 2020, Dukes named Lowndes County Manager,
The vote was a split decision, 3-2, with commissioners Joyce Evans, Clay Griner and Scottie Orenstein voting in favor. Demarcus Marshall and Mark Wisenbaker opposed.
Marshall said his no vote was because he wanted to see the position advertised to open the pool up to other candidates.
“I would expect no less than to have this position advertised,” Marshall said. “To advertise it is saying, ‘we’re not just the good ole boys system or good ole girls system.'”
Wisenbaker said he wanted to see a “fresh” perspective from county leadership and hoped a broader search could provide some new outlooks for the county’s future.
“I voted no because I think the citizens of Lowndes County need to be better represented. We need to advertise this job…There’s nothing personal against Ms. Dukes. She’s been here a while. She does a good job. It’s just being able to look out there and see what we may be missing,” he said. “We got a $120 million budget. That’s not small and we need the right people and the right person to carry this on. And we need fresh ideas. We need a fresh person, in my opinion, that can bring new things to the table.”
Those two were in the minority, however, and the three in support said they are certain Dukes is the right decision.
“I’ve been on this board for six years, and Continue reading
The big item on the Lowndes County Commission agenda for Monday to vote on Tuesday evening is the Adoption of Fiscal Year 2021 Budget totaling $59,443,920, with $22,774,781 or 38% to Public safety, i.e., the Sheriff’s department, including the jail.
![[A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE FISCAL YEAR 2021 OPERATING BUDGET]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2020-06-22--lcc-packet/June-22-23-2020-Meeting-Packet-0036.jpg)
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE FISCAL YEAR 2021 OPERATING BUDGET
PDF
The board packet is on the LAKE website after we obtained it through an open records request.
Although I hear the hotel/motel tax is down 80% due to virus pandemic, the Hotel/Motel Tax FY 2021 County Budget Budgeted Proceeds are $400,000.00. They are budget to go to:
$171,429.00
Transfer to Lowndes County’s Special Services Fund from which the County funds
(i) services the County provides primarily for the benefit of the unincorporated area and
(ii) the County’s share of funding of services the County
and one or more municipalities jointly fund
$171,429.00 Transfer to Valdosta-Lowndes County Conference Center and Tourism Authority
to promote tourism, convention, and
trade shows in accordance with the FY 2021 Budget Plan of
said Authority for same which is made a part of this Budget Plan
$57,142.00 Transfer to Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation
Authority
for capital costs and operating expenses of parks and
recreational facilities owned and operated by said Authority
A rare no-match federal grant: Acceptance of FY20 Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding brings the total expected expenditures from this Tuesday’s Regular Session down to less than a quarter million dollars:
| Cost | What |
|---|---|
| $148,345.58 | Val Tech Road Grading, Drainage, Base and Paving |
| $82,000.00 | Bevel Creek Manhole Emergency Repair |
| $57,300.00 | The Modernization/Upgrade of the Elevator in the Governmental Building |
| ($58,008) in Federal Funding. There is no local match requirement. | Acceptance of FY20 Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding |
| $229,637.58 | Total |
I commend Lowndes County Utilities for moving ahead to fix the recent manhole collapse at the Bevel Creek Lift Station on GA 376 near Loch Laurel Road. See also Sewer line repair between manholes, Bevel Creek Lift Station @ LCC 2020-06-22.
Photo: Terry Richards, The Valdosta Daily Times,
Heavy rains cause problems in Lowndes 2020-06-08.
It’s a busy agenda for appointments, to Continue reading
I give them credit for livestreaming while they work out the kinks in for example better sound.
City Manager Mark Barber is reading questions from citizens. First one is about how to prevent situations like with George Floyd. Second one is about unnecessary use of force, more funding for educators, minimum wage, etc.
Valdosta City Council’s own facebook livestream. Continue reading
Thanks to Sabrina Denson for sending the board packet Friday. It is on the LAKE website.
The Work Session is this Monday at 8:30 AM, and they vote at the Regular Session 5:30 PM Tuesday.
| Cost | What |
|---|---|
| $71,789.00 | Blue Lake Lift Station Emergency Repair |
| $1,208.80 | Approve Condemning ROW and Drainage Easement for Clyattstone Rd.-Simpson Ln. TSPLOST Paving Project |
| $72,997.8 | Total |
See also the agenda.
-jsq
Investigative reporting costs money, for open records requests, copying, web hosting, gasoline, and cameras, and with sufficient funds we can pay students to do further research. You can donate to LAKE today!
![[Table of Costs (by LAKE)]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2020-07-13--lcc-packet/Table-of-costs.jpg)
![[Vcc-facebook-live]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/valdosta/2020-06-11--vcc-agenda/vcc-facebook-live.jpg)
![[Zoning Location Map]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2020-06-09--lcc-packet/June-8-9-2020-Commission-Meeting-Packet-0013.jpg)