Work session: Georgia Forestry report, department updates and county program items discussed

At the Aug. 26 work session Justin Brown, chief ranger for Georgia Forestry, presented the annual report for July–June. Brown said the county pays $0.10 per acre for forestry protection on about 34,000 acres, reported 26 permits covering seven landowners during the year and noted the county recorded one wildfire in that period. He also referenced a successful public outreach program at the high school.

Multiple department heads provided brief updates: Mordie Askew said football registration concluded and the department is moving into soccer and that the splash pad season is ending; Samantha Hedgecoke said the county issued its first permit for Magnolia Grove; Chris Tymes reported he had been out with COVID but completed CUP taps and brought wells online and that staff were repainting hydrants; Lou Beck noted GDOT offers free classes and the county is hiring for a mechanic and three crew positions.

County Manager Thomas Weaver reviewed administrative items: a sewer grant application was not awarded and staff will evaluate options after Sept. 30; payroll outsourcing is in progress; the roundabout project remains on schedule with expected construction around early next year; and the county is reviewing vehicle procurement options, including not renewing end‑of‑life leases. Weaver also said staff will prepare rental or lease documents for a cardboard compactor at the recycle center, a process for billing businesses that use the recycle center, and proposed appointments (e.g., Rob Marion to the Rio‑V/ regional organization) for the next regular meeting agenda. Attorney work on a Board of Elections charter amendment was also noted for a future agenda item.

The work session convened an executive session to discuss legal and personnel matters and reconvened without formal votes on those closed items.