Burke County commissioners approve multiple routine contracts, staffing authorizations and licenses; storage-shed and commissary fund moves split vote

Burke County commissioners voted on a slate of routine procurement, staffing and budget items at the meeting. Most motions passed by unanimous voice vote; a few items produced split votes. Key actions included approvals for equipment purchases, architectural services, staffing fills, and a resolution to participate in a PTSD program for first responders.

Major approvals and outcomes

- Selection of 2025 leadership: Commissioners unanimously selected Commissioner Martin as chairman and Commissioner Terry Kelly as vice chairman.

- Minutes: The board approved the Dec. 10 and Dec. 18, 2024, meeting minutes (motion carried, voice vote).

- EMA tanker trucks: The board awarded the bid for two 23,000-gallon tanker fire trucks to the low bidder, Fouts Fire (Milledgeville); the board approved the recommendation to accept the low bid so trucks could be available sooner.

- Office Park Auditorium HVAC: After discussion of local bids, the board directed staff to award the HVAC replacement to a local bidder (Robert Electric) and approved the motion to keep work in Burke County.

- EMA duty-chief pickup: The board approved the low bid from Sylvania Ford for a four-door pickup to serve the EMA duty chief.

- CDBG recreation project architecture: The board awarded architectural services for a proposed gym addition under a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application to DPR Architects (Statesboro) based on scoring criteria.

- Alcohol license: The board approved a Class B (off-premises beer and wine) license for Vasudev Patel to operate CNS General Store, 3193 Farmers Bridge Road, after a background check and distance review.

- ACCG PTSD program: Commissioners approved a resolution authorizing participation in the ACCG interlocal risk management agency supplemental medical accident and disability fund to provide PTSD coverage for first responders; staff estimated the annual cost at about $10,000 to cover county first responders.

- Staffing fills: The board authorized filling the Supervisor of Elections vacancy, an animal-control officer vacancy, and the public-works director vacancy; motions to advertise and fill the positions were approved.

- Sheriff purchasing policies: County staff recommended more review of an item to create separate purchasing policies for the sheriff's office; the board voted to table that proposal pending further review.

- Portable radar signs: The board approved purchase of portable radar speed-display signs using the school-zone camera fund (funding and specifications were discussed during the motion).

- Storage shed for training center: The board approved a purchase order for a storage shed (cost listed in the request as $98,100) to be paid from the school-zone camera fund; the motion passed 4 in favor, 1 opposed.

- Detention-center cameras (ProLogic): The board approved a purchase of cameras for the detention center from SPLoS funds (ProLogic ITS, approx. $30,130.50) for jail improvements.

- Inmate housing payment: The board approved moving $68,200 to pay inmate housing costs; commissioners moved the funds from the commissary line item after discussion about restricted funds. The motion passed 4 in favor, 1 opposed.

- Indirect cost allocations: The board approved routine indirect cost allocations for December 2024.

Procedure and next steps

The board also received staff reports on the judicial center HVAC repairs and other department updates and then recessed into an executive session to discuss one litigation matter and one real-estate matter.

Ending

Most procurement and staffing items were routine and approved by the board; two votes recorded a single opposition. The sheriffs separate purchasing-policies item was tabled for further review.