Wayne County commissioners approve animal-control changes, multiple road bids and a 2024 budget amendment

The Wayne County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on a slate of measures at a regular meeting that included changes to the county's animal-control ordinance and fines, award of multiple road construction contracts and a resolution amending the county's 2024 budget.

The board approved updates to the animal-control ordinance after staff said they had conferred with the state and the county animal-control officer to align local rules with state guidance. Commissioners also approved a separate schedule of revised animal-control fees and fines that county staff will publish on the county website.

In related action, the board awarded bids for several road projects that are funded through state and transportation allocations. Sykes Brothers submitted the low bid of $3,735,006.56 for a widening-and-overlay project covering Tank Road (from 341 to Beards Bluff) and Oakville Road, adding two feet of width on each side, the county's road staff said. For a separate 2025 Lehi project, Georgia Asphalt Producers was the low bidder at $1,265,220; staff told the board that the low bid exceeded the budget by about $72,894 and requested using discretionary funds to cover the difference.

The board also approved the final plat for Pine Ridge Phase 2 subdivision, accepted a rental-lease agreement noted in the agenda packet, and authorized closing Lake Grace for annual boat races from early April through April 13, 2025.

On finance, the board adopted a resolution amending the 2024 budget to reflect higher-than-expected revenues and to reallocate departmental expenditures so the county's books remain balanced. Staff told commissioners the revenue increase of roughly $6.7 million stemmed largely from timing and collection differences in property tax receipts (a large portion traced to the tax commissioner's office), an unexpected insurance-premium tax payment (about $268,000), a pharmacy rebate (about $254,000) and sale-of-assets receipts that included the sale of a dump truck.

Other procedural actions approved included changing the April meeting date to the second Monday in April and an at-large appointment of Ralph Trapnell to the county's Industrial Development Authority to replace Commissioner Franks. The meeting adjourned following routine commissioner reports.

Votes at a glance

- Animal-control ordinance updates: approved (tally: yes 5, no 0, absent 1) - Animal-control fees and fines: approved (tally: yes 5, no 0, absent 1) - Rental/lease agreement (Oglethorpe/Tank facility): approved (tally: yes 5, no 0, absent 1) - Bid award: Sykes Brothers, Oglethorpe/Tank/Oakville widening & overlay: approved; low bid $3,735,006.56 (tally: yes 5, no 0, absent 1) - Bid award: Georgia Asphalt Producers, 2025 Lehi project: approved; low bid $1,265,220 (tally: yes 5, no 0, absent 1). Staff requested covering a $72,894 shortfall from discretionary funds. - Final plat: Pine Ridge Phase 2 subdivision: approved (tally: yes 5, no 0, absent 1) - Resolution amending the 2024 budget: approved (tally: yes 5, no 0, absent 1) - Close Lake Grace for boat races (April's event through April 13, 2025): approved (tally: yes 5, no 0, absent 1) - Change April meeting date to second Monday in April 2025: approved (tally: yes 5, no 0, absent 1) - Appointment: Ralph Trapnell to Industrial Development Authority (at-large): approved (tally: yes 5, no 0, absent 1)

Board members present for recorded roll calls were Commissioners Gordon, McCreary, Thomas and Franks; one commissioner was reported absent. Where individual mover or seconder names were not stated on the record, the motions were recorded and carried with the clerk's roll call.