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Ware County commissioners approve firefighter training repayment agreement, award health-department paving bid and table recreation bylaws
Summary
At a Sept. 23 called meeting, the Ware County Board of Commissioners received an elections update, unanimously approved a firefighter training reimbursement agreement and awarded a $70,328.50 bid to repave the Health Department parking lot; commissioners tabled proposed Recreation Department bylaws for further review.
The Ware County Board of Commissioners met in a called session on Sept. 23, 2024, in Waycross and approved several administrative actions affecting county personnel, procurement and intergovernmental benefits while receiving an update from the county elections supervisor.
Carlos Nelson, supervisor for the Ware County Board of Elections & Registration, told commissioners that early voting will run Oct. 15 through Nov. 1 on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Saturday voting is scheduled Oct. 19 and Oct. 26 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday voting Oct. 27 from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Nelson said absentee ballots will be mailed beginning Oct. 7 and the office had received 610 absentee requests; Oct. 7 is also the deadline to register or to file a change of address to avoid having to vote in a prior precinct. Nelson noted that opening polls on Sunday in a previous election allowed about 200 college students to vote while home.
On administrative policy, Assistant County Attorney Jennifer Herzog presented draft bylaws for the Recreation Department advisory board. Commissioner Sammy Hendricks said he objected to a provision in Article IV-A that would bar immediate family members of county commissioners from serving on the advisory board, arguing that in a small community that rule could exclude experienced local residents. Commissioner Leonard Burse moved to table the bylaws provision to allow further review of individual concerns; Commissioner Hendricks seconded. The motion to table passed on a roll-call vote with Commissioners Burse, Pope, Hendricks and Chairman Elmer Thrift voting aye.
Fire Chief Dee Meadows described a proposed training-reimbursement agreement for new firefighter recruits. Under the agreement, a recruit who voluntarily leaves county employment within two years would be required to reimburse Ware County for academy-related costs — noted as tuition, meal plan, books and uniforms — with Chief Meadows stating the repayment amount would be "no more than $1,500 to $2,000." He said there would be no repayment obligation if a recruit were laid off or terminated, and that a departing recruit would have 30 days to reimburse the county. Commissioner Jerry Pope moved to accept the agreement; Commissioner Leonard Burse seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
On procurement, County Clerk Melinda Brooks reported sealed bids to rehabilitate the Ware County Health Department parking lot. Douglas Asphalt Materials submitted $73,510.45; East Coast Asphalt LLC submitted the low bid of $70,328.50. Commissioner Burse moved to accept the low bid from East Coast Asphalt LLC; Commissioner Hendricks seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Jerry Pope introduced a memorandum of understanding to continue allowing the Downtown Waycross Development Authority executive director to participate in the county's group health insurance; the DWDA pays the county's portion of the premium. Commissioner Pope moved to accept the MOU; Commissioner Hendricks seconded. The motion passed on a roll-call vote with all commissioners present voting aye.
Commissioner Burse closed with a brief commendation for the Waycross–Ware County Airport staff following the recent Red Star Pilots Fly-In and reminded the commission that the fifth annual fly-in, sponsored by John Ratcliffe, is scheduled for next April. Commissioner Burse then moved to adjourn; Commissioner Pope seconded. The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
Votes at a glance
- Recreation Department bylaws provision (Article IV-A) — Motion to table by Commissioner Leonard Burse; seconded by Commissioner Sammy Hendricks; outcome: tabled (Burse, Pope, Hendricks, Thrift — ayes). - Firefighter training reimbursement agreement — Motion to accept by Commissioner Jerry Pope; seconded by Commissioner Leonard Burse; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Health Department parking lot rehabilitation bid — Motion to accept East Coast Asphalt LLC bid of $70,328.50 by Commissioner Leonard Burse; seconded by Commissioner Sammy Hendricks; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Memorandum of Understanding with Downtown Waycross Development Authority — Motion to accept by Commissioner Jerry Pope; seconded by Commissioner Sammy Hendricks; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Adjournment — Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Leonard Burse; seconded by Commissioner Jerry Pope; outcome: approved (unanimous).
