Dougherty County commissioners approve several routine items, adopt retirement amendment and joint KADB resolution

The Dougherty County Board of Commissioners on April 7 voted on a series of routine and policy items, including a sole-source HVAC purchase for the sheriff’s office, an amendment to the county defined-benefit retirement plan, several surplus-asset declarations, and a joint resolution with the City of Albany related to Keep Albany Dougherty Beautiful (KADB).

Minutes and routine motions The board approved the minutes of the March 3 work session and the March 3 regular meeting by voice vote.

HVAC purchase for the sheriff’s office The board accepted a sole-source quote from EV ESS (Albany, Georgia) to replace HVAC controls at the Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office for $58,069.13, funded from the department’s budget. Commissioner Gray (District 4) abstained from that vote because of a possible perception of conflict of interest; the motion passed 6–0 with one abstention. Vote record (as captured on the record): Chairman — yes; Commissioner Newsome (District 1) — yes; Commissioner Edward (District 2) — yes; Commissioner Johnson (District 3) — yes; Commissioner Gray (District 4) — abstain; Commissioner Gaines (District 5) — yes; Vice Chairman Jones (District 6) — yes.

Defined-benefit retirement plan amendment (Amendment No. 4) The board approved Amendment No. 4 to the Dougherty County defined-benefit retirement plan and trust, as recommended by the Retirement Fund Committee. County staff and the plan attorney described the amendment as correcting an oversight in plan language so that full-time employees who transition to elected or appointed positions may continue to participate; it also restores participation for certain employees who had been stopped under previous plan language. The amendment was approved by roll-call voice votes with all members voting in favor.

Joint resolution reestablishing Keep Albany Dougherty Beautiful (KADB) The board considered a joint resolution with the City of Albany to reestablish and set governance for Keep Albany Dougherty Beautiful (KADB). County Attorney Shiley Shiley advised the board that, based on her review of state and federal law, the proposed structure did not appear to violate 501(c)(3) requirements. Several commissioners, however, urged further negotiation between the county and KADB’s board and raised concerns that the draft could jeopardize KADB’s nonprofit status if not revised. After debate, the board approved the resolution by a 5–2 vote. Recorded votes: Commissioner Newsome (District 1) — No; Commissioner Edward (District 2) — Yes; Commissioner Johnson (District 3) — Yes; Commissioner Gray (District 4) — No; Commissioner Gaines (District 5) — Yes; Vice Chairman Jones (District 6) — Yes; Chairman — Yes.

Surplus equipment and vehicles The board declared various equipment and vehicles surplus and authorized disposal or sale via online auction; the motion passed unanimously. The board separately declared a 2019 Ford F‑150 XL from the sheriff’s office surplus and authorized sale through TPA Charles Taylor; that motion also passed unanimously.

Code of ordinances amendment The board approved an amendment to the general provisions section, chapter 2‑1, of the Dougherty County Code of Ordinances by unanimous vote.

Administrative updates County Administrator provided administrative updates, including that the county will send additional federal funding requests to federal elected officials and reminders of committee meetings.

Votes at a glance (key tallies) - Minutes (March 3 work session and March 3 regular): approved (voice vote). - HVAC controls, Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office, EV ESS, $58,069.13: passed 6–0 with 1 abstention (Commissioner Gray abstained). - Amendment No. 4 to Defined-Benefit Retirement Plan and Trust: passed (unanimous, roll call/voice as recorded). - Joint resolution with City of Albany re KADB: passed 5–2 (Commissioner Newsome and Commissioner Gray voted No). - Surplus equipment and vehicles (online auction): passed (unanimous). - Declared 2019 Ford F‑150 XL surplus (Sheriff’s Office) and authorized sale through Charles Taylor TPA: passed (unanimous). - Amendment to chapter 2‑1 of the Dougherty County Code of Ordinances: passed (unanimous).

All formal actions and vote tallies above reflect the roll-call/voice votes recorded in the April 7 meeting transcript.