Tift County commissioners prepare consent agenda with drug‑court grants, $1.53M road resurfacing bid and sheriff vehicle purchases

Tift County commissioners on Tuesday reviewed a slate of items to appear on the June 10 regular-session consent agenda, including two criminal-justice grants, a large road resurfacing bid, multiple Public Works purchases and vehicle requests for the Sheriff’s Office.

Chairman Tony McBrayer opened the workshop at 6:00 p.m. with five commissioners present and led the prayer. No members of the public spoke during the public‑comment period.

Donna Ingram, Adult Felony Drug Court coordinator, told the Board the court had been awarded a CJCC grant of $345,371 and that Tift County’s local match would be $34,898.62; she asked the Board to consider covering the match from county reserve funds. Michelle Calhoun, DUI‑Drug Court coordinator, reported a CJCC award of $146,794 with a required match of $22,019 and requested reserve funds (Ms. Calhoun asked for $24,700). The Board indicated it would place both grant items on the consent agenda for the June 10 meeting.

Public Safety Director Joey Fowler explained the county must update its Multi‑Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan every five years and seeks a grant to begin work on the 2027 update. The total estimated project cost is $36,268, with federal funding covering 75% ($27,201), the state 13% ($4,867) and the local share estimated at 12% ($4,200). The Board moved the grant-application request toward the consent agenda.

Public Works Director Jason Jordan reviewed several items the county plans to place on the consent agenda. He said a replacement harrow is needed because parts for the county’s 30‑plus‑year‑old unit are obsolete; Lassetter Equipment’s low quote is $14,500 to be funded by TSPLOST. Jordan also reported emergency concrete work to stabilize a box culvert on Omega‑Eldorado Road after staff observed undermining; Southern Concrete completed the work at a cost of $12,500, funded from TSPLOST.

Jordan told commissioners that bids for an additional LMIG resurfacing project produced a low bid from The Scruggs Company of $1,529,856.04 for resurfacing Chula‑Brookfield Road (Hwy 41 to the Irwin County line) and Brighton Road (I‑75 to Hwy 125). Funding for that project is expected from LMIG and SPLOST VI; the Board indicated it would place acceptance of the low bid on the consent agenda.

He also requested an addendum to Watkins & Associates for a neighborhood drainage and hydrology study after a resident at 2727 Dr GC Hill Ave reported recurring flooding. Jordan said the stormwater outfall for the neighborhood drains across property owned by the Airport Authority and that existing airport detention/retention structures appear insufficient. The study cost is $25,000 and would be funded from SPLOST VI; the Board moved the item toward the consent agenda.

County Manager Jim Carter summarized the Sheriff’s Office vehicle request: four Durangos (Griffin Chrysler quote, state contract price, $170,800) and one Expedition (Griffin Ford quote, state contract price, $60,854). Carter noted those quotes and the Board indicated placement on the consent agenda.

County Clerk Miriam Jordan reviewed administrative and permitting items. She said Circle K (applicant Ann L Smith) at 4440 Union Rd has obtained a Certificate of Occupancy and business license and that the Sheriff recommends approval of its alcohol‑beverage application; the item was slated for the consent agenda. Jordan said Chilangos Mexican Cuisine LLC (applicant Elizabeth Suarez‑Romero) at 11 Jordan Rd likewise has required certificates and the Sheriff recommends approval of a retail malt beverage, wine and distilled spirits consumption license; that application also was moved toward the consent agenda.

Jordan further requested allocation of $2,850 in ARPA interest funds to cover a wrap for a new Extension van and described two State Properties Commission lease‑renewal notices: Department of Juvenile Justice at 225 Tift Ave N (renewal July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025) and Department of Driver Services at 3057 Hwy 41 S (renewal July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025). She presented a Master Services Agreement with MCCi for Laserfiche installation and support (initial cost $5,750; annual support $1,365; total initial $7,115) for electronic records storage, and she said four library board members with expiring terms—Dr. Shubba Chatterjee, Judith Hutt Thomas, Filiberto Hernandez and Juan C. Diaz Perez—are willing to serve new three‑year terms while one vacancy has an applicant (Chelsea Webster); the Library Board appointments were set for the regular agenda rather than consent.

Carter told the commission the county’s property and liability insurance renews July 1, 2024, and premiums have increased by about 13%; that renewal was placed on the consent agenda.

The workshop concluded with a reminder from Carter that a public hearing on the FY25 proposed budget is scheduled for Monday, June 10 at 5:30 p.m. No county‑attorney comments, commissioners’ comments or executive‑session items were reported.

Next steps: most items discussed were indicated for placement on the June 10 consent agenda; the Library Board appointments were moved to the regular agenda for separate consideration.