Coffee County approves $20.0M FY2023 budget, awards road, safety equipment and property purchases

The Coffee County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 5 adopted a $20,015,200 General Fund budget for fiscal 2023 and approved a series of unanimous motions to award contracts and make equipment and property purchases.

County Administrator Wesley Vickers told commissioners the FY2023 General Fund budget totals $20,015,200 and the Special Revenue Fund budget totals $15,668,900, representing about a 6.5% increase in the General Fund driven primarily by higher fuel and personnel costs. The board voted unanimously to adopt the budget after noting a public hearing had been held Nov. 21.

The meeting included several procurement votes. Bids opened Nov. 18 for the Callaway, Lakespur and Ashby road construction project; Griffin Grading & Concrete, LLC submitted the low bid of $454,418.43, which Statewide Engineering, Inc. recommended, and the board voted to accept the bid. Commissioners also approved a standard architect contract with Suttles and Associates for design of a new administration building, with architect fees set at 6% of the construction cost.

On public safety equipment, the board approved a Fisher Scientific bid of $715,402 for Scott SCBA equipment for the county fire department. The purchase covers 92 SCBA units, 184 cylinders, 103 face pieces, two rapid intervention kits and fit testing; the Fisher Scientific bid included a guaranteed five-year annual service/flow-test rate of $35 per unit. Vickers said SCBA funding will come from SPLOST and the Insurance Premium Tax Fund.

County Attorney Tony Rowell told the board the county had the opportunity to purchase property to provide an adequate sand supply for the road department. The board authorized purchase of the property at a price of $235,000 and gave Chairman AJ Dovers authority to execute closing documents.

Earlier in the meeting, Attorney Tony Rowell summarized an application for a corporate-name change tied to an alcohol license for Mubarak Kathiya for Satilla Country Junction at 7505 Old Axson Highway; the board unanimously approved the alcohol license. The commissioners also adopted a revised Language Access Plan, which Vickers said is required for administration of two current CDBG grants and compliance with GA DCA and HUD grant guidelines.

Other routine business included approval of prior meeting minutes and the meeting agenda, and an announcement by Chairman AJ Dovers that the courthouse will be closed Dec. 23 and Dec. 26 in observance of Christmas; Dovers also encouraged residents to vote the following day. There were no public comments recorded. Commissioner Johnny Wayne Jowers moved to adjourn at about 9:50 a.m.; Commissioner Oscar Paulk seconded and the board agreed unanimously.

Votes at a glance - Adopt FY2023 budget (General Fund $20,015,200): approved, tally 5–0. - Approve FY2022 budget amendments: approved, tally 5–0. - Award Callaway/Lakespur/Ashby road contract to Griffin Grading & Concrete, LLC ($454,418.43): approved, tally 5–0. - Approve Fisher Scientific bid for SCBA equipment ($715,402): approved, tally 5–0. - Approve architect contract with Suttles and Associates (fees 6% of construction cost): approved, tally 5–0. - Approve real estate purchase for sand supply ($235,000): approved, tally 5–0. - Adopt Revised Language Access Plan (GA DCA, HUD, other federal grants): approved, tally 5–0. - Approve alcohol license for Satilla Country Junction (Mubarak Kathiya): approved, tally 5–0. - Approve minutes and agenda: approved, tally 5–0.

The board did not receive public comment and adjourned at about 9:50 a.m.