Tag Archives: Magistrate Court

Videos: Opt out of HB 581 and increase local homestead exemptions, Accountability Court Grant and truck for Magistrate Court @ LCC Regular 2025-02-25

The Lowndes County Commission added two important agenda items early in their February 25, 2025, meeting: 5.b. Vote on opting out of HB-581 and 5.c. Resolution to increase local homestead exemption. They approved both unanimously, although there is more to do at the state level; see below for that.

But why did the Commissioners wait until this meeting to add those items, when they’ve known for many weeks they would have to vote on them?

[Collage @ LCC 25 February 2025]
Collage @ LCC 25 February 2025

They unanimously approved the few other items.

Can somebody explain why the County Manager does not provide a written report? I, for one, cannot remember all the stuff she runs through in a few minutes. She is clearly reading from notes. She could just make at least a bullet list, or have one of her assistants do so.

One citizen spoke: 8. CWTBH – Kelly Saxon – flooding, hurricane recovery, cooperation.

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: Accountability Court Grant and truck for Magistrate Court @ LCC Work 2025-02-24

Update 2025-03-25: Videos: Opt out of HB 581 and increase local homestead exemptions, Accountability Court Grant and truck for Magistrate Court @ LCC Regular 2025-02-25.

Update 2025-02-25: Videos: Final Public Hearing: Intent to Opt Out of Homestead Exemption, HB 581 @ LCC 2025-02-24.

The Work Session yesterday morning took the Lowndes County Commission four minutes. Most of that was two officials explaining the Accountability Court Grant.

[Collage @ LCC 24 February 2025]
Collage @ LCC 24 February 2025

County Manager Paige Dukes asked “for an executive session for attorney client privilege to consult and meet with legal council pertaining to pending claims brought against the county possibly.” Usually we hear “for current or pending litigation”. It must be important, since they had three attorneys in their executive session.

They vote this evening at 5:30 PM.

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 agenda and board packet, received in response to a LAKE open records request. Continue reading

Accountability Court Grant and truck for Magistrate Court @ LCC 2025-02-24

Update 2024-02-25: Videos: Accountability Court Grant and truck for Magistrate Court @ LCC Work 2025-02-24.

It’s a slow Lowndes County Commission week when the most expensive item on the agenda is a truck.

[Accountability Court Grant, truck for Magistrate Court, Lowndes County Cmmission, February 24 & 25, 2025]
Accountability Court Grant, truck for Magistrate Court, Lowndes County Cmmission, February 24 & 25, 2025

The other item with “BUDGET IMPACT” listed is a grant with no match, which means it brings money in to the county government.

Cost What
$39,852.00Bid for One Truck for Magistrate Court
$-7,500.00Lowndes County Accountability Court Grant Approval
$32,352.00Total

Here is the agenda.

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

How to bring a case to the Sheriff’s attention

Sheriff Prine was at last night’s budget hearing (his office accounts for more of the county budget than anything else). Afterwards I asked him how matters such as the complaints about the animal shelter could be brought to the attention of his office. He said that was a code enforcement matter, and if code enforcement thought it rose to a criminal matter, they would take it to Magistrate Court, which would issue a warrant, which would go to the Sheriff’s office, where it would be pursued.

Remember who code enforcement is in Lowndes County. Continue reading