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Ware County commissioners approve tax-admin resolutions, land bank appointment, alcohol license and SPLOST agreement; rezoning tabled
Summary
At their Dec. 9 meeting the Ware County Board of Commissioners adopted two resolutions granting the Tax Commissioner administrative authorities, appointed William Simmons to the Waycross/Ware County Land Bank Authority, approved an alcohol license at 7471 Albany Hwy and a DWDA SPLOST intergovernmental agreement; a rezoning request was tabled after a commissioner recused.
The Ware County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 9, 2024, approved a package of administrative measures and local permits while tabling a rezoning request after a recusal.
The board voted to adopt Resolution 2024-34, delegating to the Tax Commissioner the authority to waive penalties and interest on taxes, and Resolution 2024-35, authorizing the Tax Commissioner to accept tax payments. Chairman Elmer Thrift called for motions, Commissioner Leonard Burse moved to adopt Resolution 2024-34 and Commissioner Timmy Lucas seconded; the roll-call vote recorded Burse, Jerry Pope, Lucas and Thrift as voting aye with Commissioner Sammy Hendricks absent. The same voting pattern approved Resolution 2024-35.
The actions are routine delegations that allow the Tax Commissioner to carry out administrative duties without returning to the commission for each instance. The measures do not change tax rates; they authorize administrative discretion consistent with the language of each resolution.
On appointments and permits, the board appointed William Simmons to Post 7 of the Waycross/Ware County Land Bank Authority for a four-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2025. The motion to appoint was made by Commissioner Leonard Burse and seconded by Commissioner Timmy Lucas; the roll-call vote was aye from Burse, Pope, Lucas and Thrift, with Hendricks absent.
The commission also approved an alcohol license application for premises at 7471 Albany Highway in Millwood. Commissioner Timmy Lucas moved to approve the license application, with Commissioner Jerry Pope seconding; the vote was recorded as unanimous among those present (Hendricks absent).
Separately, the board approved an intergovernmental agreement between the Downtown Waycross Development Authority (DWDA) and Ware County for use and distribution of proceeds from the 2022 SPLOST referendum. Commissioner Jerry Pope moved to approve the DWDA SPLOST agreement; Commissioner Leonard Burse seconded. The vote tally was the same: Burse, Pope, Lucas and Thrift voting aye; Hendricks absent.
A rezoning request for parcel 051A04059 at the intersection of Dorothy Street and East Blackshear Avenue was discussed but tabled after Commissioner Timmy Lucas recused himself because he owns property adjacent to the parcel. Assistant County Attorney Jennifer Herzog recommended tabling the item to allow additional research. Commissioner Jerry Pope moved to table the rezoning request; Commissioner Leonard Burse seconded. The roll-call showed Burse, Pope and Thrift voting to table, Lucas abstaining and Hendricks absent.
Votes at a glance: - Resolution 2024-34 (delegate penalty/interest waiver authority to Tax Commissioner): mover Commissioner Leonard Burse; second Commissioner Timmy Lucas; outcome: approved (Burke, Pope, Lucas, Thrift aye; Hendricks absent). - Resolution 2024-35 (authorize Tax Commissioner to accept tax payments): mover Commissioner Timmy Lucas; second Commissioner Jerry Pope; outcome: approved (Burse, Pope, Lucas, Thrift aye; Hendricks absent). - Appointment: William Simmons to Waycross/Ware County Land Bank Authority, Post 7, term begins Jan. 1, 2025: mover Commissioner Leonard Burse; second Commissioner Timmy Lucas; outcome: approved (Burse, Pope, Lucas, Thrift aye; Hendricks absent). - Alcohol license: 7471 Albany Highway, Millwood, GA: mover Commissioner Timmy Lucas; second Commissioner Jerry Pope; outcome: approved (Burse, Pope, Lucas, Thrift aye; Hendricks absent). - DWDA SPLOST intergovernmental agreement (2022 SPLOST proceeds distribution): mover Commissioner Jerry Pope; second Commissioner Leonard Burse; outcome: approved (Burse, Pope, Lucas, Thrift aye; Hendricks absent). - Rezoning parcel 051A04059 (Dorothy St. & E. Blackshear Ave.): motion to table after recusal by Commissioner Timmy Lucas; mover Commissioner Jerry Pope; second Commissioner Leonard Burse; outcome: tabled (Burse, Pope, Thrift aye; Lucas abstain; Hendricks absent).
The meeting minutes record no substantive debate on the items above; motions were made, seconded and approved with the voting patterns listed. The board adjourned at 6:18 p.m.
