Votes at a glance: Lincoln County Commission approves extension contract, tax-waiver authority, food box participation, copier lease, audit engagement and local

Lincoln County commissioners approved multiple routine and procurement items during their meeting, including a renewal with University of Georgia Extension, temporary authority for the county tax commissioner to waive small penalties, participation in a senior food-box program administered by Golden Harvest Food Bank and the selection of vendors for copier services and annual audits.

UGA Extension contract: The board approved a one-year extension agreement with the University of Georgia for Extension and 4-H services in Lincoln County. County materials show the contracted amount for the next fiscal year at $73,289.50; the local Board of Education is expected to cover 50% of that cost. The motion to adopt the contract was moved by Commissioner Antonakis and seconded by Commissioner Clyde and carried by voice vote.

Tax-waiver resolution: The board granted the Lincoln County Tax Commissioner, Linda Wilvis, authority to waive modest interest and penalties in limited circumstances (for example, late payments due to mail delays or office closures) without returning to the commission for each case. Wilvis told the board such waivers are typically small dollar amounts and that the change would save time for both her office and the commission. The motion was moved by Commissioner Henderson and seconded by Commissioner Tankersley and was approved by voice vote.

Senior food-box program: The county agreed to participate in Golden Harvest Food Bank’s Senior Food Box program at no cost to the county. Staff said Lincoln County was allotted 50 boxes for distribution to eligible seniors and that distribution would occur monthly at a local pickup location. The motion to approve participation was moved by Commissioner Clyde and seconded by Commissioner Antonakis and approved by voice vote.

Copier and printing services: County technology staff recommended Athens Digital — the incumbent provider — after a request for proposals that produced seven submissions. The board approved a two-part action: first to accept the recommended maintenance and service proposal and then to authorize the chairman and county technology director to finalize a five-year lease and maintenance agreement, to be financed through LEAF Financial. Commissioners and the vendor discussed a standard contract clause that allows an annual maintenance increase (cited in the procurement documents at about 15% in the example language); county staff and the vendor said that historically they have not applied annual increases. Commissioners asked for further negotiation and legal review before final signature. The board approved the motions by voice vote; commissioners indicated the current annual cost is about $20,000 and that the contract estimate would raise that by approximately $2,500 annually under the proposed five-year term.

Financial audit services: The county selected Jones, Jones and Davis and Associates to conduct the FY25 financial audit. The board approved an engagement letter not to exceed $56,250 for the FY25 audit and authorized the chairman to negotiate continuing engagement terms for up to four additional fiscal years. The motion carried by voice vote.

Department of Family and Children’s Services (DFCS) reimbursement agreement: The board authorized a reimbursement agreement for the local DFCS office not to exceed $7,400 for the next fiscal year. County staff said the DFCS office historically has not spent the full authorized amount. The motion was moved by Commissioner Tankersley and seconded by Commissioner Clyde and approved by voice vote.

All procurement and program-participation motions were recorded as carried by voice vote; no roll-call tallies were presented in the meeting transcript.

The board deferred Item 16 at the request of Commissioner Tankersley and adjourned the meeting.