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Burke County commissioners unanimously approve ordinances, grant, lease renewals and budget amendments; extend solar moratorium 60 days
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Summary
At its June 11 meeting the Burke County Board of Commissioners approved a 60-day extension of the solar farm moratorium, adopted two ordinances including allowing portable sheds to be converted into dwellings, accepted a $114,074 Accountability Court grant with a $20,000 county match, and approved multiple budget amendments and a sheriff's office vehicle purchase.
The Burke County Board of Commissioners on June 11 unanimously approved a slate of ordinances, agreements and budget amendments and extended a 60-day moratorium on proposed solar farm and related land-use regulations.
Manager Merv Waldrop told the board the Planning Commission had requested the extension for Ordinance 24-01, which concerns amendments to the land development code for solar farms and adds provisions for large-scale mulching facilities and event centers. Commissioner R. Tommy Nix moved to approve a resolution extending the existing moratorium for 60 days; Commissioner Evans Martin seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
The Board also approved the second reading and adoption of Ordinance 24-02, which amends building regulations to allow portable sheds to be converted into dwellings. Planning Official Scott Lee said the Planning Commission recommended adoption; Commissioner Martin moved for approval and Commissioner Lucious Abrams seconded.
After objections from resident Pamelia Bartlett, the Board approved the second reading of Ordinance 24-03 amending solid-waste regulations to address stockpiling of junk, littering, inoperable vehicles and unattended vehicles. Bartlett told the Board she disagreed with the ordinances and requested a meeting with her commissioner; the record shows the Board moved forward with the ordinance vote.
The Board approved the Greater Clarks Hill Regional Library Annual Service Agreement, a renewal of the lease at 715 W. 6th Street for the Georgia Department of Veterans Affairs, and updates to Burke County Transit's Drug and Alcohol Policy that include a new mental health provision. Appointments to the Greater Augusta Joint Development Authority were confirmed for Lindsey Gentry and John Jackson, and the Magistrate Court's request for a temporary summer intern (20 hours per week for 12 weeks) was approved.
The Board accepted an Accountability Court grant for 2025 totaling $114,074 with a required county match of $20,000. The Burke County Sheriff's Office was authorized to purchase a 2023 Dodge Charger using surplus-sale proceeds ($35,330) with the remaining balance and upfitting to come from the Drug Fund; County staff noted the original bid had been $36,255 and that the bid remained valid.
Budget amendments approved included $41,470 in Federal Confiscated Assets appropriated for equipment, and cost-allocation amendments for Internal Service Funds for May 2024: Vehicle Maintenance $82,091.40 and Facilities Maintenance $132,348.14. All motions on the consent and business agenda passed unanimously.
During public comment, Bobby Padgett thanked the Board regarding the solar ordinance, and Pierre Dubois of Treaty Oak Clean Energy thanked the Board for extending the moratorium and said he looked forward to working with the county. Commissioner Lucious Abrams suggested Board members visit county cotton warehouse offices to observe air-conditioning issues.
At 6:54 PM the Board entered executive session to discuss a real estate matter. After returning to open session the Board authorized the chair to execute an affidavit related to the executive session; the County Attorney reported that one real estate purchase was discussed and that no final action was taken. The meeting adjourned at 7:31 PM.