Lincoln County commission approves budgets, grants, vehicles and equipment in June meeting

Lincoln County commissioners adopted the county's fiscal year 2026 budgets and approved multiple grants, equipment purchases and policy changes during their June meeting.

The board approved the FY26 general fund and all-other-funds budgets, accepted several state and federal grants, authorized purchases for the sheriff's office and 9-1-1 communications, and approved contracts and subscriptions including a renewal of the county's emergency communications system. Several routine departmental reports were also accepted.

The actions together allocate funds and authorize follow-up steps across public safety, transportation, economic development and county operations for fiscal year 2026. Many approvals carried without extended discussion; a handful of items included clarifying questions about warranty, additional outfitting costs and matching requirements.

The board voted to:

- Adopt the FY26 general fund budget: commissioners recorded the general fund revenues and expenditures as $8,000,354,776 and approved the balanced budget as presented. (Motion approved.)

- Adopt the FY26 budgets for all other funds: the board approved combined revenues and expenditures of $5,542,191 for other county funds. (Motion approved.)

- Accept a seed grant application for the Lincoln County Development Authority: the board authorized submission of a seed grant application to the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission for $1,020,000 with a 50% local match to be provided by the Development Authority if awarded. The development authority's earlier figure of $1,001,000 was noted in staff remarks; the motion authorized the $1,020,000 application as presented. (Motion approved.)

- Accept the FY26 Federal Transit Administration Section 5311 rural transit operating grant of $204,438 with a required 50% county match of $102,219 and authorize the chairman to execute documents. (Motion approved.)

- Approve 9-1-1 communications hardware replacement: commissioners authorized purchase of two replacement servers and associated hardware from Motorola CallWorks. Staff said the net additional cost to the county would be $70,183 beyond previously allocated funds; the total contract figure discussed for the new hardware was $110,183. (Motion approved.)

- Authorize sheriff vehicle purchases: the board authorized purchase of a used 2009 Ford Explorer from Columbia County for $2,500; and approved a quote from Duval Ford of Jacksonville for 2025 Ford Explorers with police-interceptor packages totaling $88,116 to be paid from FY26 SPLOST funds. Commissioners noted additional outfitting costs estimated separately at about $5,000—$10,000 per vehicle. (Both motions approved.)

- Renew Code Red emergency notification subscription: the board authorized renewal of the county's Code Red subscription beginning July 1, 2025, with two one-year renewal options and payment from the general fund. Multiple figures were discussed on the record (including line-item amounts and differing totals shown in the packet); the board approved renewal while staff retained responsibility to reconcile the final contract amount. (Motion approved.)

- Approve volunteer fire department equipment: the board approved purchase of two electric vehicle fire blankets and two self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBA), not to exceed $20,000, to be owned by Lincoln County and assigned to local volunteer departments. The vendor quote shown on the record totaled $17,135.49. (Motion approved.)

- Move fireworks permitting to county administration: under a new state law shifting permitting responsibility from the probate court to the county, commissioners moved the permit function to the Community Development office in Public Works and authorized charging the state-allowed fee (maximum $100). (Motion approved.)

- Accept Family Connections grant: the board agreed to serve as fiscal agent and accept a $56,250 grant from Family Connections, authorizing the chairman and clerk to sign necessary documents. (Motion approved.)

- Certify an estimated rollback rate for 2025: commissioners adopted an estimated rollback rate of 9 mills for county maintenance and operations as the figure to be published during the property tax process. Staff noted the figure is an estimate and could be lower when finalized. (Motion approved.)

- Approve FY26 insurance renewals: the board approved a renewal for county general liability at $3,000,000 limits for a renewal contribution of $234,280.02, and authorized renewal of the county's employee health insurance with UnitedHealthcare at a renewal premium the county describes as a 34% increase; staff stated a per-employee renewal rate of $1,137 per month. Commissioners approved both renewals. (Motions approved.)

- Approve water plant O&M settlement and rate change: staff reported the county underpaid the city of Lincoln $9,638.45 for O&M; commissioners approved payment and accepted an increase in the city's water rate charged to the county from $2.16 to $2.81 per unit, to be paid from the water fund. (Motion approved.)

- Accept GDOT restriping grant: the board approved acceptance of a Georgia Department of Transportation grant of $579,640 to re-stripe and add signage on approximately 63.14 miles of county roads and authorized the chairman to sign grant documents. (Motion approved.)

- Approve building and facility expenditures: commissioners approved replacement of 23 lights at Dover Park and the county library for $3,335 to be paid from the Dover pottery fund, and approved a $38,000 contract amendment to extend the Ag Arena roofline using previously appropriated arena funds. (Motions approved.)

- Confirm appointments: the board confirmed Jennifer Perry to the Family & Children's Service board. (Motion approved.)

Most motions carried unanimously or with no recorded opposition; one land-use vote (special use) included a recusal. The meeting included routine departmental reports from finance, public works and emergency services and an extended work session was referenced by commissioners as having covered several items in more detail prior to the meeting.

Votes at a glance (selected): - Minutes and agenda: approved. - Special-purpose local option sales tax vehicle purchase (Duval Ford quote $88,116): approved. - Motorola CallWorks 9-1-1 hardware additional funding $70,183: approved. - Development Authority seed grant application (motion authorized for $1,020,000 with 50% match): approved. - FTA Section 5311 rural transit grant $204,438 (county match $102,219): approved. - Code Red subscription renewal (contract amount to be finalized by staff): approved.

The board adjourned after completing its agenda.