This is an informal rundown of what happened at the Bulloch County Commission meeting on August 20, 2024.
Call to Order, Welcome Media and Visitors
Invocation and Pledge
Roll Call – Commissioners Roy Thompson and Jappy Stringer were absent. The meeting was led by Commissioner Curt Deal.
Presentations
- Bulloch County Board of Commissioners Employee Recognitions
- Tyshea Lee, Administrative Specialist – 2nd Annual Back to School Supply Drive
- Peyton Fuller, Senior Accountant and Grant Manager – Completion of Georgia Certified Economic Developer Certification
Approval of General Agenda
Consent Agenda
Commissioners opted to remove the quit claim deed matter out of the consent agenda, as Commissioner Toby Conner has a conflict of interest, so he needed to recuse himself from the vote.
The remaining matters were voted on as a single issue and approved unanimously 4-0.
Motion to approve the purchase of one 2024 Ford F250 from Allan Vigil Ford-Lincoln Government Sales in the amount of $64,956.00.
The Bulloch County Fire Department was approved for the purchase of a vehicle in the FY25 CIP Budget. The purchase of this vehicle will come from the Rural Fire Fund. The vehicle is being requested to be purchased from Allan Vigil Ford-Lincoln Government Sales through the State of Georgia state vehicle contracts. Ford Manufacturing has not yet closed the purchasing window for 2024 Ford trucks. The county can still purchase a new 2024 F250, with the MY24 pricing. Approval wass recommended by staff.
Approve a Quitclaim Deed to Jerome K. Jones and Wm. Jarrell Jones, as Co-Executors of the Estate of W.K. Jones Information
Pursuant to a letter, attorney Marc Bruce has requested that Bulloch County execute a quitclaim deed to the Estate of W.K. Jones in order to clear title on certain property designated as Bulloch Street, Hill Street, James Street, Oak Street and Pine Street on a plat dated in October of 1925 and recorded in Plat Book 1, Page 88, in the Clerk of Superior Court for Bulloch County, Georgia records. This is a plat for a subdivision that was never developed, and to the best of my knowledge Bulloch County never accepted or claimed any interest in the streets shown on the plat. Approval of the quitclaim deed included with the letter was recommended by staff
Yearly Service and Support Contract for Motorola Radio System
Motion to approve Pyro Shows East Coast bid for annual Firecracker Fest Fireworks Display
After a successful working relationship with Pyro Shows East Coast during our 2024 Fireworks show, we have requested a renewal of the bid with the same conditions and pricing of $20,000. The county confirmed a date of July 3, 2025.
The show deposit of $10,000 will be paid out of FY25 budget, with the final payment of $10,000 being paid out of FY26 budget as in previous years.
Motion to Approve Athletic Program Picture Bid from Invisionpix A/K/A LaRita & Company
Invisionpix A/K/A LaRita & Company was the only vendor to provide a bid for individual and team pictures for athletic program participants. No expense will be incurred with this picture contract as participants select a picture package and pay for their own selection. During the bid process, it was stated that the contract can be renewed for two successive one-year terms without rebidding. Approval was recommended.
Motion to Approve Athletic Program Trophies Bid from Georgia Correctional Industries
Two bids were received with Georgia Correctional Industries submitting the low bid of $9,747.45 plus $65 for each delivery. Dadrian Cosby, Athletics Manager, estimated a total of 19 deliveries ($1235). The contract may be renewed for two successive one-year terms without rebidding.
Approval was recommended.
Motion to approve quote from Musco Sports Lighting, LLC (purchased through Sourcewell) for Athletic Field Lighting at Brooklet Park
Since 2022, the county has replaced the incandescent lights on 16 fields at Mill Creek Park and installed new lighting on the Brooklet Soccer fields with LED lighting. The existing lighting levels are now below the recommended level, which is causing a safety concern. The new LED lighting is brighter and meets the recommended lighting levels. The two baseball fields in Brooklet are in need of replacing the entire lighting system. The county is not sure of the exact age of the lighting or the wooden poles that the lights are attached to. Each year we continue to spend more to keep the lighting operational. The poles are wooden and currently two need replacing. The wiring is old, brittle, and breaking at the top of the poles. The ballasts and bulbs are getting harder to find as everything is now going to LED.
Tony Morgan, Parks Division Manager, met with Musco Sports Lighting LLC. about upgrading the lighting at Brooklet Park. Musco Sports Lighting is a leader in the sports field lighting sector and we have previously used for lighting projects. Mr. Morgan received a quote that could be purchased through Sourcewell with a Master Project number 199030 and Contract number 041123-MSL for a total of $450,500. This would allow the county to completely upgrade the Brooklet lighting system and would include removal and disposal of the existing lighting system including all wooden poles, wiring and light fixtures and install a completely new system with all new galvanized steel poles, wires, fixtures, and controls. Since this is a new system from the ground up, it will come with a 25-year warranty! This will also include all controls for controlling and monitoring the lights. The control system is called Control-Link which controls and monitors the system and provides remote on/off, dimming (high/medium/low) control, and performance monitoring with 24/7 customer support.
The county has a budget of $455,000 for athletic field lighting upgrades (Project PARK17). It is the recommendation of Tony Morgan to approve the purchasing, removal of existing lighting, and installation of new galvanized steel poles and LED lighting using Musco Sports Lighting LLC and purchasing through Sourcewell using Contract number 041123-MSL for a total of $450,500.
Purchase of Upgrade for the 911 Login Recorder
It is time to upgrade the DX Login Recorder. This is the system that records all radio and telephone traffic that comes into 911. The upgrade is $56,530.00. It is a budgeted item and can be on the consent agenda.
Motion to approve and ratify the purchase of traffic control equipment needed due to Tropical Storm Debby in the amount of $42,000.00 from Middle Georgia Signs.
The Bulloch County Transportation Department requested an emergency purchase of traffic control equipment on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, needed due to Tropical Storm Debby. The Transportation Department exhausted their supply of traffic control equipment such as signs, barrels, barricades, cones, etc. and borrowed what was available from local contractors, which will have to be returned. Middle Georgia Signs had the requested items in stock and had next day delivery. Approval is recommended.
Debby Emergency Rock Supply
Public Works has been ordering emergency rock to help get a start on repairing the roads. We have gotten 20 loads of NO 4 Washed Stone, from Vulcan at $22,128.39.
FY 25 AMBULANCE
Motion to approve diesel engine repairs to two (2) 2021 HME engines (Engine 2 and 7) to Cummins Savannah for the price of $51,982.63.
Bulloch County Fire is requesting approval for funds pulled from our vehicle maintenance budget to repair two Cummins diesel engines in our 2021 HME fire engines. The engines lost oil pressure and it was determined based on faulty engineering by the HME designers, the engines were dusted because of air filter problems. Emails have been sent to the HME regional sales manager and our legal counsel was copied on the email.
Debby Emergency Barriers
Purchase of 40 orange water filled barriers to better barricade closed roads. Total purchase price is $15,200.00, from Safety Products, which was best quoted price.
New Business
Approve a Contract for Acquisition of Avigation Easement with Cara Elizabeth Anderson and Leslie Anderson
Bulloch County needs an avigation easement on 1.65 acres of property adjacent to the Statesboro-Bulloch County Airport in order to limit the height of objects on the property to comply with regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration. The attached contract provides for the acquisition of the avigation easement from the owners of the property for a purchase price of $3,500.00, which equals the appraised fair market value of the easement. This is a perpetual easement that will also bind any future owners of the property. Approval is recommended by staff.
Approved 4-0.
Motion to approve execution of application to GDOT for flashing beacons at the US Hwy 25 at Rocky Ford Road intersection.
Bulloch County has made past requests to GDOT to consider safety enhancements to this intersection, in response to citizen requests. Bulloch County has installed advanced warning beacons on both approaches of Rocky Ford Road to US Hwy 25. If approved as the result of a traffic study, GDOT would install flashing beacons on US Hwy 25 in advance of the intersection, as well as on the Stop signs on Rocky Ford Road at the intersection.
GDOT requires that the application form be executed prior to making any improvements. The application states that if there are any monthly electricity costs, the County would be responsible. This is standard for all flashing beacon or traffic signal requests. GDOT may opt to use solar-powered flashing beacons for the location, in which case there would be no cost to Bulloch County. GDOT will maintain the beacons. County Engineer recommends approval.
Approved 4-0.
Motion to approve execution of application to GDOT for a traffic signal at the US Hwy 80 at Akins Pond Road intersection.
Bulloch County has made past requests to GDOT to consider safety enhancements to this intersection, in response to citizen requests. At this time, GDOT is conducting a traffic study of the intersection to determine if a traffic signal is warranted.
GDOT requires that the application form be executed prior to making any improvements. If GDOT determines that a traffic signal is warranted, the County would be responsible for monthly electrical costs, as is standard with all traffic signal installations. Also, if a traffic signal is recommended, GDOT may request that the County participate in funding the construction, however this has yet to be determined.
County Engineer Brad Deal said deputies with the Sheriff’s Office are currently working traffic direction at this location in the morning because of the school traffic.
Curt Deal asked what the estimated cost for a traffic signal at that location would be, to which Brad Deal said $200,000-$300,000, plus road improvements, for roughly $500,000. It is unclear at this time if GDOT will pitch in to assist with that.
Approved 4-0
Approve a Quitclaim Deed to Jerome K. Jones and Wm. Jarrell Jones, as Co-Executors of the Estate of W.K. Jones Information
Pursuant to a letter, attorney Marc Bruce has requested that Bulloch County execute a quitclaim deed to the Estate of W.K. Jones in order to clear title on certain property designated as Bulloch Street, Hill Street, James Street, Oak Street and Pine Street on a plat dated in October of 1925 and recorded in Plat Book 1, Page 88, in the Clerk of Superior Court for Bulloch County, Georgia records. This is a plat for a subdivision that was never developed, and to the best of my knowledge Bulloch County never accepted or claimed any interest in the streets shown on the plat. Approval of the quitclaim deed included with the letter was recommended by staff
This line item was handled by County Attorney Jeff Akins, who recommended approval.
Approved unanimously with Commissioner Conner abstaining due to a conflict of interest.
Public Comments
Taylor DeKalb – who lives in Millen, appeared to discuss a beaver trapping program for Bulloch County.
Thomas Alley – spoke on water issues stemming from Cypress Lake which impacts properties in Iron Gate subdivision.
Magina Bullock – also spoke on the water issues near Cypress Lake. She said the county made the location ‘the low point’ in 2005 and the county had never dug that ditch before the Alley’s house was built. It puts a lot more water in Iron Gate, the Alley’s property, and the pond. “Diverting the water from the highway into Iron Gate is you diverting water on to someone’s property,” she said.
Commission & Staff Comments
Public Works Director Dink Butler provided another post-Tropical Storm Debby update.
91 roads closed, 13 remain closed. One is paved and the remainder are dirt. Two bridges are still closed, including Deloach Church Road Bridge, which has issues and damage on the Evans County side. As a result, the county is keeping it closed. The other is Arcola Road Bridge. GDOT has approved opening, but EMC has attached power to the bridge for repairs, so they’re keeping it closed.
FEMA emergency funding is possible as the federal agency is doing assessments for damage recovery. The county presented a $10 million quote for recovery and FEMA is requesting justification. The county has subsequently held off on seeking ‘outside help’ for repairs, pending FEMA action. The county was notified August 19 by FEMA that they were approved to at least use outside resources and be reimbursed for road repair, if approved for FEMA funding.
He also reiterated that school buses are not approved to travel down dirt roads, for safety reasons.
Planning & Development Director James Pope briefed commissioners on the Blue Fern Village development annexation as well:
