Bullock County commissioners approve land takings for Hightower Road, several SPLOST‑funded contracts and equipment purchases; send elections board change to GA

The Bullock County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved a package of actions that advance local roadwork, county equipment procurement and planning changes.

The board unanimously approved three resolutions to acquire properties by eminent domain for the Hightower Road paving project after county staff said two parcels had title problems and a third owner had not responded to outreach. "We exhaust every opportunity to go through," County Engineer Ron Nelson told commissioners, noting one owner had been nonresponsive for more than four months. County Attorney Jeff Akins said two properties had title issues that made condemnation the quickest way to clear ownership barriers so the county could complete the paving work.

Also approved was a $615,063.15 construction contract with Sykes Brothers Incorporated to build a roughly 550‑foot connector road to serve the new Ogeechee Technical College training center. Nelson said the contract allows 180 days for completion and that the county expects the road to be finished by about August next year. The construction work and related services will be paid from…