Tag Archives: Bubba Highsmith

Videos: Appointments to DFACS & VLPRA, Beer and Wine, Pump Station and Forklift @ LCC Regular 2024-08-13

The County Manager gave an electrical fire report, and said Chairman Slaughter would be sworn in on August 19 to the Georgia state Board of Behaioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. She mentioned 14 Lowndes County animals had been transported to Kentucky by the Humane Society.

EMA Director Ashley Tye gave a weather report about Hurricane or Tropical Storm Debby: it wasn’t as bad as it could have been, and not as bad as our Florida neighbors to the south.

Three citizens spoke about a need for improved policies for animal control.

The Lowndes County Commissioners approved all the regular agenda items unanimously, with no discussion about anything but the Utilities Forklift at their Regular Session, August 13, 2024.

They reappointed Lonnie Denton to the Lowndes County Division of Family and Children Services (DFACS).

They reappointed Bubba Highsmith to the Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority (VLPRA).

[Collage @ LCC 13 August 2024]
Collage @ LCC 13 August 2024

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

See also the Continue reading

Videos: Appointments to DFACS & VLPRA, Beer and Wine, Pump Station and Forklift @ LCC Work 2024-08-12

There was some discussion in the 7-minute Monday morning Work Session of the Lowndes County Commission. They vote today (Tuesday) at 5:30 PM.

[Collage @ LCC 12 August 2024]
Collage @ LCC 12 August 2024

Regarding the Love’s Travel Stop Beer and Wine license, no public hearing is necessary if the license is for consumption off premises.

On 7.a. Pump Station Rehab, Chairman Bill Slaughter wanted to know how many lift stations the county has. Continue reading

Packet: Appointments to DFACS & VLPRA, Beer and Wine, Pump Station and Forklift @ LCC 2024-08-12

Update 2024-08-13: Videos: Appointments to DFACS & VLPRA, Beer and Wine, Pump Station and Forklift @ LCC Work 2024-08-12.

Update 2024-08-11: Special Called Meeting about Opioids Settlement @ LCC 2024-08-12.

Two appointments, an alcohol license, and almost $2 million in Utilities Department bids are on the agenda for the Lowndes County Commission Work Session Monday morning at 8:30 AM. They vote Tuesday at 5:30 PM.

[Appointments to DFACS & VLPRA, Beer and Wine, Pump Station and Forklift, Force Main sewer system @ LCC 2024-08-12]
Appointments to DFACS & VLPRA, Beer and Wine, Pump Station and Forklift, Force Main sewer system @ LCC 2024-08-12

Three bids were received for the Utilities Department Forklift, with low bid at $18,100.

Only one bid, for $1.792 million, was received for the repair and rehab at 14 lift stations, out of 4 contractors who attended the mandatory pre-bid meeting. Lift stations affected are Bevel Creek, Whitewater Road, US 84, Francis Lake, Old Pine, Davidson Road, Miller Farms, Moody Family Housing, Skipper Bridge, Union Road, Kinderlou Clubhouse, Griffin, Saddle Bags, and Stone Creek.

Cost What
$1,792,027.8.00Pump Station Rehab
$18,100.00Utilities Forklift
$1,810,127.8.00Total

 

VALORGIS shows Lowndes County’s sewer lines if you turn on the Water Sewer Service Areas layer, and within that Lowndes County Sewer Lines Force Main and Gravity. Be sure to turn off Water Lines and Valdosta Sewer Line.

In case anybody doesn’t know, Lowndes County’s sewer system is separate from Valdosta’s sewer system, and has about 10% of the capacity of Valdosta’s.

Also, for some years Lowndes County has been repairing parts of its sewer system before they break. Although I hear persistent rumors that there have been unreported leaks.

[Map: Lowndes County sewer system (green lines) --VALORGIS]
Map: Lowndes County sewer system (green lines) –VALORGIS

Lonnie Denton wants to be reappointed to the Lowndes County Division of Family and Children Services (DFACS) Board and DFACS County Director Gail Finley recommends that.

Bubba Highsmith wants to be reappointed, and George Foreman also wants to be appointed, to the Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority (VLPRA) Board.

The beer and wine license request is for a new establishment, Love’s Travel Stop #550, 2319 Old Clyattville Road, Valdosta, GA.

Here is the agenda.

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

LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROPOSED AGENDA
WORK SESSION, MONDAY, AUGUST 12, 2024, 8:30 a.m.
REGULAR SESSION, TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2024, 5:30 p.m.
327 N. Ashley Street – 2nd Floor

Continue reading

Videos: EOC, KLVB, Grinder Pump, Bank, Computers, Health Ordinance, and Alcohol @ LCC 2018-07-24

Longest at 2.5 minutes: appointment to Parks and Rec. Commissioner Scottie Orenstein was not present at this Regular Session of the Lowndes County Commission.

Not on the agenda and not on the county’s website, Chairman’s Announcement of Emergency Operations Center Open House.

The applicant spoke for 6.a. Beer, Wine & Liquor License – Jack’s Chophouse, 4479 N. Valdosta Rd. We have a winner for the RFP for Banking Services.

Maybe they all finally got to read the 7 d. Ordinance Adopting Current Board of Health Rules, since this time Continue reading

Videos: City to County KLVB, Grinder Pump, Bank, Computers, Health Ordinance, and Alcohol @ LCC 2018-07-23

Eight minutes to do your business: yesterday morning’s Lowndes County Commission Work Session. Commissioner Demarcus Marshall took the day off from his work at the City of Valdosta to be there. Not clear the rest of them took it that seriously. He and at least one other Commissioner did get some questions in. And they did all show up, at least. We’ll see if they’re all there for voting this evening at 5:30 PM.

Some interesting questions on the Continue reading

City to County KLVB, Grinder Pump, Bank, Computers, Health Ordinance, and Alcohol @ LCC 2018-07-24 2018-07-23

In an interesting version of a revolving door, county appointee Michael H. McDowell’s KLVB term is expiring, so is Valdosta appointee Bubba Highsmith’s, and the county proposes appointing Highsmith. Highsmith is a State Farm Insurance Agent.

Also on the Lowndes County Commission agenda for 8:30AM Monday morning are: banking services (looks like Ameris Bank costs way less than BB&T, and SunTrust even less, but Ameris has the best interest rate), a computer bulk purchase for $54,795.98, yet another pump purchase, allegedly for $0 dollars because this is actually for specifications rather than actual purchase.


Typical Application: Residential Pump System, Triple “D” Pump Company

Finally, the tabled-from-last-meeting Ordinance about Board of Health Rules: will the Commissioners have had time to read the one copy the County Manager allows them?

Plus an alcohol license, Continue reading