This is an informal rundown of what happened at the Bulloch County Board of Commissioners Meeting on Tuesday, June 20, 2023.
Call to Order, Welcome Media and Visitors
Invocation and Pledge – Commissioner Mosley
Roll Call – All Commissioners present.
Approval of General Agenda
CONSENT AGENDA
All of the items on the consent agenda were approved unanimously in a single vote.
- Minutes of May 25, 2023 9:00 AM
- Minutes of Jun 6, 2023 5:30 PM
- Resolution to Establish a Special Streetlight District for The Reserve at Brannen Lake Subdivision
- The developers of The Reserve at Brannen Lake Subdivision have requested the creation of a special streetlight district for this subdivision. The special streetlight district was previously approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission, but a resolution to create the district was not prepared at that time because a final plat had not been recorded. The final plat has now been recorded and approval of the attached resolution will create the streetlight district
- Resolution to Establish a Special Streetlight District for Grimball Pointe Subdivision
- The developers of Grimball Pointe Subdivision have requested the creation of a special streetlight district for this subdivision. This special streetlight district was previously approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission, but a resolution to create the district was not prepared at that time because a final plat had not been recorded. The final plat has now been recorded and approval of the attached resolution will create the streetlight district.
- Resolution to Establish a Special Streetlight District for Phase 10 of Chatham Place-Section 2 Subdivision
- The developers of Phase 10 of Chatham Place-Section 2 Subdivison have requested the creation of a special streetlight district for this subdivision. This special streetlight district was previously approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission, but a resolution to create the district was not prepared at that time because a final plat had not been recorded. The final plat has now been recorded and approval of the attached resolution will create the streetlight district
- Resolution to Establish a Special Streetlight District for Belmont Estates Subdivision
- The developers of Belmont Estates Subdivision have requested the creation of a special streetlight district for this subdivision. This special streetlight district was previously approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission, but a resolution to create the district was not prepared at that time because a final plat had not been recorded. The final plat has now been recorded and approval of the attached resolution will create the streetlight district
- Resolution to Establish a Special Streetlight District for Farmington West Subdivision
- The developers of Farmington West Subdivision have requested the creation of a special streetlight district for this subdivision. This special streetlight district was previously approved by the Plannitn and Zoning Commission, but a resolution to create the district was not prepared at that time because a final plat had not been recorded. The final plat has now been recorded and approval of the attached resolution will create the streetlight district.
- Motion to enter into a contract with Southern Restore Softwash in the amount of $10,500 for seal-coating and re-striping four parking lots at the Judicial Annex and Magistrate Court, to be funded by TSPLOST.
- This contract includes cleaning, crack-filling, double seal-coating, and re-striping four parking lots (two at Judicial Annex and two at Magistrate Court). Four quotes were received for this work on June 5, 2023, as detailed in the attached memo from Jacob Crowley, Civil Engineering Technician. The low quote, from Southern Restore Softwash, met all requirements of the County’s specifications. The low quote amount, which was $10,500.00, is below the budgeted amount of $30,000. The project is to be funded using TSPLOST funds. The County Engineer recommends awarding the contract for the Judicial Annex and Magistrate Court Parking Lot seal-coating and re-striping to Southern Restore Softwash in the amount of $10,500.
- Motion to Approve 2023 Janitorial/Cleaning Bid For Multiple Recreation Locations
- Sealed bids were accepted for janitorial and cleaning services for Bulloch County Recreation and Parks locations: Mill Creek 5FC, 4FC, 3FC/Soccer and Brooklet Community Building. Clean by Lucy submitted the low bid in the amount of $16,020. This would cover period of July 5, 2023 – June 30, 2024. After reviewing the bids, it is the recommendation of Facilities Manager, Darryl Hopkins, that we accept the bid from Clean by Lucy
- Motion to Approve County Grounds Contract Renewal from The Groundsmen and A-1 Grassroots
- Original contracts for The Groundsmen and A-1 Grassroots were adopted on September 6, 2021. This was for the period of 12 months beginning July 1, 2021 and ending June 30, 2022, with the option to renew for two (2) successive one (1) year periods on the same terms and conditions as the initial one-year term.
- The first-year option to renew both contracts for a one-year term ending June 30,2023 was approved at the June 7, 2022 BOC meeting. Contract for The Groundsmen to maintain facilities within the city for $60,225. Contract for A-1 Grassroots to maintain facilities in the county for $36,430. We are approaching the end of the first-year renewal contract (June 30, 2023). We have had great success using both parties for maintaining the county grounds and would like to continue to do so for FY2024. This was requested and anticipated during the budgeting process this year to allow funds to be appropriated. Email confirmations have been received from both parties agreeing to renew the contract with the same terms.
- We would like to make a recommendation to approve the second-year option renewal of the contract for The Groundsmen for $60,225 and A-1 Grassroots for $42,980 (original contract price was $36,430 but it increased by $6,550 due to an amendment made in FY23 to add the entrances of the industrial park and industrial park roadways to their contract). Total cost for both is $103,205.
- Motorola Radio System Yearly Service and Support Contract
- This is the yearly Motorola radio system service and support contract. The contract is for $182,885.68. The contract runs from 07/01/2023 to 06/30/2024. It is a radio system budgeted item and can be listed on the consent agenda
- Permission to Accept the FY2024 Drug Court Grant Award and Mental Health Court Grant Award
- Ogeechee JC Drug Court and Mental Health Court has been awarded Drug Court and Mental Health Court Grant Awards. Drug Court FY2024 Grant Award for $245,211 ($215,786 State/$29,425 Match) and Mental Health Court Grant Award for $170,231 ($149,803 State/$20,428 Match) from CACJ/CJCC
- Motion to Execute Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement with RxBenefits, Inc.
- Bulloch County has partnered with RxBenefits, Inc., to assist in the administration and evaluation of our health plan’s pharmacy benefits. To allow RxBenefits to maintain the confidentiality of their proprietary and trade secret information, they have requested that we enter into a Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement. The agreement has been reviewed and approved by the County Attorney
- Motion to Enter into Agreements with Flexible Benefit Administrators, Inc.
- As part of the overall review of employee benefits, County staff has worked with our broker, Mark III, to review and evaluate an alternative vendor to administer the Section 125 Flexible Benefits Plan. The recommended vendor, Flexible Benefit Administrators, Inc., has been selected to perform both Section 125 (FSA/DCA) administration and COBRA administration.
- The cost of these services is borne by Mark III as part of their broker services arrangement, and there will be no fees to Bulloch County for the performance of these services. However, the County will need to enter into several agreements to formalize the service expectations and to comply with HIPAA privacy requirements.
- The agreements include:
- Administrative Services Agreement for COBRA Services
- Administrative Services Agreement for FSA/DCA Services
- Business Associate Agreement
NEW BUSINESS
Announce the award of 2023 GFSTC Fireworks Tax Grant to the Bulloch County Fire Department.
Bulloch County applied for and was chosen to receive the 2023 GFSTC Fireworks Tax Grant. Pat Lanier Jones and Peyton Fuller applied for the grant to give our volunteers six new sets of PPE (boots, pants, coat, suspender, gloves, helmet, and particulate hood) and 11 extra particulate hoods to help prevent cancer.
No action was taken, however, Pat Lanier Jones, who is over the volunteer fire department, provided a brief update on the recruitment in 2022 and to-date in 2023.
Jones said in 2022, the volunteer department added 9 firefighters, 3 of which were already certified. Six went through training and of the nine that came on during the year, two left for various reasons, but three became full-time firefighters.
In 2023, (to-date), volunteer firefighters increased by three as they just graduated from training, and there are seven additional applications pending.
Motion to approve a bid and enter into a contract with Sikes Brothers, Inc. for construction of an entrance road into Bulloch County Public Works including intersection improvements at US 301/Veterans Parkway and parking lot construction, in the amount of $885,055.00, to be funded by TSPLOST.
This contract includes the addition of a left turn lane on US 301 North, the addition of a through lane on Veterans Parkway, traffic signal modifications, and new roadway and parking lot construction for an entrance road into the new Bulloch County Public Works facility. The entrance road is approximately 1,000 feet in length and is being built to accommodate heavy vehicles. The traffic signal work includes the installation of new traffic signal heads and pedestrian signals, as well as associated conduit and wiring. The project is being done through an encroachment permit with the Georgia Department of Transportation.
Sealed bids were received on June 8, 2023, as detailed in the attached memo from Faye Bragg, Purchasing Manager. The low bidder, Sikes Brothers, Inc., met all requirements of the County’s bid specifications. The low bid amount, which was $885,536.15, is below the Engineer’s estimate and budgeted amount of $1,100,000. The project is to be funded using TSPLOST funds. The County Engineer recommends awarding the contract for the Bulloch County Public Works Entrance and Parking Lot to Sikes Brothers, Inc. in the amount of $885,536.15.
Approved unanimously.
Motion to approve a bid and enter into a contract with Ellis Wood Contracting, Inc. for asphalt repairs on various county roads, in the amount of $379,055.00, to be funded by LMIG and TSPLOST.
This contract includes reconstruction of damaged areas of pavement that are damaged too severely to be patched by County Public Works. The work includes asphalt removal and the installation of new base and pavement in these areas on various county roads. The project list includes areas on Arcola Rd, Ash Branch Church Rd, Burkhalter/Cawana intersection, Josh Deal Rd, Sprayberry Ct, Barri Way, Irongate Place, Pretoria Rushing Rd, Pulaski Rd, and South Wynn Rd.
Sealed bids were received on June 1, 2023, as detailed in the attached memo from Faye Bragg, Purchasing Manager. The low bidder, Ellis Wood Contracting, met all requirements of the County’s bid specifications. The low bid amount, which was $379,055.00, is higher than the County Engineer’s estimate of $250,000. The cost for asphalt was the main difference between the county’s estimate and the submitted bids. The County has $1,637,310.10 in LMIG funds and $1,500,000 in TSPLOST funds budgeted for Resurfacing/Road Repairs in FY 23, for a total of $3,137,310.10, which will fund this project as well as a resurfacing project to be bid out later. The County Engineer recommends awarding the contract for road repairs to Ellis Wood Contracting in the amount of $379,055.00.
Approved unanimously.
Resolution to Approve ACCG/IRMA Coverage for 2023/2024
July 1 renewals are expected to hit an average 30%.Total cost for the upcoming year for Bulloch County is $856,104, up about 25% from FY 2022, so slightly below the average increase across the state. ACCG warned counties that this would be happening, so it was anticipated but specifics were only recently provided.
Inreases due to:
- Increase in the number of claims (not specific to Bulloch County) for property and automobile insurances
- Increase in cost of claims due to inflationary issues
- Increased litigation across Georgia
ACCG is also temporarily discontinuing the dividend credit, which has previously saved Bulloch County $67,000 annually
Deductibles are going from $2,500 per claim to $15,000 per claim
Approved unanimously.
Public Comments
Will Anderson spoke on the growth happening and whether or not the issues can be placed on a ballot for voters to decide. He also asked questions about the necessity of the Bulloch County Development Authority.
Caroline Brooks discussed the increase in property taxes and how seniors should not be taxed for school taxes or the full millage rate.
Commission and Staff Comments
Executive Session (Personnel)
Commissioners entered into executive session at 9:33 a.m.
