Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Meeting Actions And Votes topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ware County Commission approves equipment leases, contracts and a 120‑day alcohol delivery moratorium
Summary
The commission approved multiple resolutions, accepted several bid awards and contracts (including a 5‑year lease for two motor graders), appointed a development authority board member and adopted a 120‑day moratorium on alcohol home delivery to allow code review.
At its regular meeting following a public hearing, the Ware County Commission approved a slate of resolutions, contracts and equipment purchases and voted to impose a 120‑day moratorium on home alcohol delivery while the code office drafts local language.
Resolutions and appointments: Commissioners unanimously approved Resolution 2025‑22, a Tri‑County resolution expressing support for the concept of a perimeter road and asking staff to coordinate with the state Department of Transportation. The board also approved a vacancy appointment to the development authority, appointing Kim Bennett Callahan to the Board (motion and roll‑call recorded during the meeting).
Contracts and bids: The commission accepted a proposal from Robert Civil Engineering LLC to handle utility coordination for a county project and approved a contract for the 2023 CDBG dirt road drainage and paving that added two roads (Katy Lane and Dusty Lane) to the program. The board awarded bids for heavy equipment and vehicles, including a 5‑year lease of two motor graders from Ascent Brothers (total bid referenced at approximately $307,008.36; monthly lease payment in the discussion was cited as about $4,611) and multiple purchase awards for tractors, a dump truck and an excavator after question and discussion over purchase vs. lease terms and expected maintenance costs.
Public defender contract and employee incentives: Commissioners approved the public defender contract (Resolution 2025‑23) for the first half of the county's 2026 budget year. The board also adopted Resolution 2025‑24 creating a Ware County employee safety incentive pay program.
Alcohol delivery moratorium: The commission voted to establish a 120‑day moratorium on home alcohol delivery, giving the county code department time to draft specific local language that aligns with Georgia code. The motion passed with one recorded dissenting vote.
Why it matters: The equipment leases and CDBG contract affect the county's road maintenance capacity and capital budget planning; the moratorium on alcohol delivery gives staff time to design enforceable local rules; the Tri‑County resolution signals regional coordination on a longer‑term perimeter road concept.
What’s next: Several approvals require follow‑up steps from county staff — including contract execution, utility coordination by the selected engineering firm and confirmation of financing/lease terms for equipment — while code staff will prepare the draft moratorium language for future ordinance action.
