Commission approves capital-improvement plan, playground surfacing, financial adviser contract and other items

The Camden County Board of Commissioners voted on several staff-recommended items at its regular meeting.

Capital Improvement Element: Commissioners approved the final 2025 Capital Improvement Element, a state-required annual update that keeps the county eligible for certain grant programs. Staff said the draft had been reviewed by the Coastal Regional Commission and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs before the county vote. “This report is required to be updated annually in order to be considered a qualified local government for any grant applications,” a staff presenter said. A motion to adopt the element carried.

Playground surfacing at Cornelia Jackson Memorial Park: The board approved purchase of a poured-in-place playground surface made from tire-derived material from Pro Playgrounds. Purchasing received three quotes and staff said the Pro Playgrounds quote of $95,400 met grant requirements and was the lowest compliant bid; the county had secured a grant for $98,175. Staff said using tire-derived material will repurpose roughly 32,100 pounds of recycled rubber — the equivalent of about 2,140 tires — for a seamless, durable playground surface. A motion to approve the purchase carried.

Financial advisory services for bond financing: Commissioners approved an agreement with Davenport & Company to act as financial advisor and fiduciary as the county explores public bond financing for jail and sheriff’s office projects. County staff described a two-part fee structure: non‑transactional advisory services are capped at $25,000; transaction-related fees (for bond issues sold in the public market) were described by staff as likely in the $75,000–$150,000 range depending on complexity. Staff estimated a potential public bond issue could be around $35 million but said the final bond size would depend on market conditions and the county’s credit rating. Davenport’s representative, Ricardo Cornejo, told the board that the contract may be terminated with 30 days’ written notice and that costs of issuance — including bond counsel and rating agency fees — would be paid from the bond proceeds, not the county’s operating fund. The motion to contract with Davenport carried.

University of Georgia Extension agreement: The board approved the county’s annual funding commitment to University of Georgia Extension for fiscal 2025–26, a $96,645 pledge that helps support Extension positions, including a 4‑H educator. A motion to approve the agreement carried.

Victim advocates grant disbursement (VOCA): Commissioners approved a staff recommendation to accept disbursement of victim‑advocate grant funds and to direct that the VOCA monies be used to pay victim advocates directly; the action will be credited against the district attorney’s existing budget and is intended to free county budget dollars to allow a hire of an intake clerk. Staff emphasized that the action credits the current budget rather than increasing the district attorney’s total budget. The motion carried following discussion.

Direction on animal-control/code enforcement: Commissioners also moved to direct staff to prioritize an update to the county’s animal-control ordinance. During a separate presentation staff outlined state code provisions governing creation of a code enforcement board (Ga. Code §§ 36-74-22, 36-74-23, 36-74-28) and recommended a five-member enforcement board if the county proceeds. The board took initial action to establish a code enforcement board, and then directed staff to begin with a review of the animal-control ordinance as the top priority.

Ending: For most votes the meeting record shows a motion, a second and a roll-call or voice approval; the clerk recorded that these motions carried or were approved by the board. Several items carried without recorded roll-call tallies in the public transcript.