Houston County commissioners approve annexations, grants, contracts and multiple personnel hires

The Houston County Board of Commissioners approved two annexations requested by the City of Perry, accepted a federal Violence Against Women Act grant for the district attorney’s office, authorized several contracts and equipment purchases, and approved multiple personnel hires during its public meeting.

Commissioners voted unanimously to concur with the City of Perry’s request to annex two tracts on Airport Road — one of about 19.7 acres and one of about 4.88 acres — and to change zoning from County RAG to City of Perry RTH and C2 for the identified tax parcels. The motion was offered by Commissioner Byrd and seconded by Commissioner Talton.

The board accepted a 2025 Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grant (W24‑8‑12) totaling $64,842 from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council of Georgia for the district attorney’s office, with a county match of $21,614 for a combined total of $86,456. Commissioner Byrd moved to accept the grant; Commissioner Gottwalds seconded, and the board carried the motion unanimously.

The county approved a service agreement with Aviation Capital Partners LLC, doing business as Specialized Tax Recovery of Mayfield Heights, Ohio, for valuation audit and appeal support of aircraft personal property tax assessments. The initial amount noted in the motion was $5,000, with an option to extend for fiscal years 2027 and 2028 and fees for newly discovered aircraft as described in the agreement. Commissioner Byrd moved the agreement; Commissioner Towton seconded.

Procurement and equipment approvals included: - A quote from BTV Systems of Macon, Georgia, to update the camera system at the county annex for $69,109.71, funded by 2018 SPLOST (motion carried). - Purchase of a stormwater pipe camera system from Environmental Products Group of Atlanta for $113,700 to…