Bryan County commissioners approve alcohol license, contracts, appointments and resolutions

The Bryan County Board of Commissioners approved a slate of licenses, contracts, appointments and resolutions at its regular meeting, taking routine and policy actions across public safety, utilities, economic development and courts.

Key votes included approval of an alcohol beverage license for Viet Phong Supermarket, authorization to draft and execute a contract for disaster-recovery FEMA public-assistance consulting services, a joint resolution supporting creation of an airport authority with the city of Richmond Hill, a water/wastewater/reclaimed water service agreement with H. L. Georgia Battery Company, LLC, and several appointments to county boards. The board also approved a resolution supporting the creation of a part-time judge for the State Court of Bryan County and authorized staff to submit local legislation to the Georgia General Assembly.

Alcohol license: Commissioners approved an off-premise beer-and-wine package license for Hong Anh Thi Tran, owner and manager of Viet Phong Supermarket, located at 8524 Highway 280 (former Piggly Wiggly). County staff said the applicant met qualifications and no public comments were received during the hearing. The board voted to approve the license by voice; no roll-call tally was recorded.

Disaster-recovery consulting contract: Staff recommended awarding consulting services for FEMA public-assistance work to Goodwin Mills Cawood (listed in the transcript with variant spellings). The board authorized staff to proceed with drafting and executing a contract with the firm to provide FEMA public-assistance consulting services; the motion passed by voice vote.

Airport authority: The board voted to approve a resolution expressing support for creating an airport authority between Bryan County and the city of Richmond Hill. Staff advised the board this action is an initial step; establishment of the authority would require local legislation and enactment by the Georgia General Assembly. Commissioners approved the resolution by voice vote.

Water/wastewater service agreement: The board approved a water, wastewater and reclaimed water services agreement with H. L. Georgia Battery Company, LLC. Staff said the agreement reassigns certain water and sewer usage payment obligations — shifting responsibility from an existing Honda-related agreement as the battery plant comes online. Commissioners approved the authorization to execute the agreement by voice vote.

Appointments: The board appointed Scott Puffer to the Bryan County Planning and Zoning Commission and Board of Adjustment for a term beginning March 1, 2025, and expiring Feb. 28, 2029. The board also appointed Martha Cofield, Linda Cercoco, and Shrey Murchison to the Bryan County Library Board for terms beginning immediately and expiring June 30, 2028. Motions to appoint were seconded and approved by voice votes.

Part-time state court judge: The board approved a resolution supporting creation of a part-time judge for the State Court of Bryan County and authorized staff and the county attorney to draft and submit local legislation to the Georgia General Assembly. Staff cited an analysis by the Council of State Court Judges that recommended a part-time judge based on existing and projected caseload; the resolution also notes the chief judge (Judge Tomlinson) supports modifying court terms to utilize the new part-time judge. Commissioners approved the resolution by voice vote.

Executive session: The board voted to go into executive session to discuss personnel, real estate and litigation; the motion passed.

Most votes were recorded by voice or show of hands; no roll-call tallies were given in the public discussion for the recorded motions.