County Commissioners approve new transit van and jail rebid plans

The Hart County Board of Commissioners convened on June 11, 2025, to address several key agenda items, culminating in a series of unanimous votes on various proposals.

The meeting began with a motion to approve the purchase of a surplus transit van from the Georgia Department of Transportation. Commissioner Dorsey highlighted the necessity of the van for community services, particularly for the senior center, which can no longer utilize its previous vehicle for outings due to new regulations. The board approved the purchase for approximately $19,000, with funding sourced from the budget rather than contingency funds, resulting in a unanimous 5-0 vote.

Next, the commissioners discussed the hiring of a new deputy jailer at the Hart County Jail. Sheriff Carroll requested that the new hire's pay be retroactively adjusted to reflect eight years of prior experience. The board agreed to this adjustment, again voting 5-0 in favor.

The discussion then shifted to the medical services contract for the jail. The sheriff and commissioners agreed that due to changes in inmate population and new administrative oversight, it would be prudent to rebid the medical services contract. This decision was also met with unanimous approval, as the board voted 5-0 to proceed with the rebidding process.

During the meeting, it was noted that the county has seen significant revenue from housing inmates from other counties, with over $1 million generated in the past year. This financial aspect was highlighted as a positive outcome of the county's efforts to manage its jail population effectively.

The meeting concluded with an invitation for public comments, but no attendees chose to speak. The board then moved into an executive session to discuss litigation, personnel, and real estate matters.

Overall, the meeting reflected a proactive approach by the Hart County Board of Commissioners in addressing community needs and managing county resources effectively, with all decisions made receiving unanimous support from the board members.