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Ware County commissioners approve contracts, appointments and rezoning; library warns of FY26 shortfall
Summary
At a May 12 meeting in Waycross, the Ware County Board of Commissioners approved multiple bid awards and appointments, accepted disaster debris contracts and rezoned two properties. Erika Stembridge, director of the Waycross-Ware County Library, said the system will use $21,133.09 from fund balance for its FY26 budget after a library left the regional system.
WAYCROSS, Ga. — The Ware County Board of Commissioners on May 12 approved a series of appointments, procurement contracts and rezoning requests while hearing that the Waycross-Ware County Library will draw on fund balance for part of its 2026 budget.
Erika Stembridge, director of the Waycross-Ware County Library, told commissioners the regional board awarded the construction bid to Craft Development and that construction should begin by the end of May. She said the library will use $21,133.09 from fund balance for the FY26 budget after one library withdrew from the regional system and operational costs, including electricity, rose. "We will be using $21,133.09 out of the fund balance for the FY26 budget," Stembridge said.
The commission filled two seats on the Ware County Board of Elections. Commissioner Timmy Lucas moved to appoint Andy Preston to Post 1; Commissioner Jon Tindall seconded. After candidates introduced themselves, the board approved the appointment 3–2 (Commissioners Leonard Burse and Barry Cox voted no). Preston told the board he had "retired after almost 40 years of teaching social studies/government" and wanted to remain active in elections work. The board reappointed Vernon Chambless to Post 2 by a 4–1 vote; Chambless introduced himself as a retired attorney and said he has enjoyed serving on the board.
On procurement, commissioners approved a string of awards and purchases. The board voted 3–2 to keep lawn maintenance with local provider Southeast Lawn Pro, which staff said bid $3,700 per month, instead of the low bidder Outdoor Living SE at $2,500 per month. Commissioner Leonard Burse opposed that award, saying he "couldn't overlook the fact that the low bidder was $14,000 less than what the County is currently paying." Other contract and purchase approvals included a $31,150 award to Coastal Sports Terf, LLC for field maintenance spraying at Trembling Earth; acceptance of a sole bid of $35,831 from Lewis Tool and Equipment for a 4-post vehicle lift (including installation); and a $14,614.70 purchase of four Quick Turn 360 target boxes for the Public Safety Training Center.
The board also accepted disaster-response contracts. Commissioners approved Thompson Consulting for debris monitoring during declared disasters; Commissioner Jon Tindall explained that monitoring helps ensure only qualifying loads are reimbursed by FEMA and noted that "there is no charge unless this contract is activated." CrowderGulf was selected as the primary debris removal contractor and Herzog Solutions, LLC as the secondary contractor; Tindall said Herzog would use local forestry services (Pierce Timber Company) for on-the-ground work.
Commissioners approved a quit claim deed transferring a narrow parcel to the Waycross-Ware County Development Authority (WWDA). Commissioner Tindall cautioned that the drainage canal on the property "needs work," and WWDA Director Rubenbauer said GA TX would install a pipe and maintain the drainage; the transfer passed 4–1 with Commissioner Timmy Lucas voting no.
The board unanimously approved two rezoning requests — Wacona Heights Phase 3 from R-90 to R-45 and 1981 State Street from R-75 to C-3 — and unanimously approved upgrades to the Pebble Hill Fire Station by C & T Metal Roofs and Construction for $6,275. The Board of Elections' three-year TextMyGov contract was approved, with the board noting current budget funds will cover year one and that future budgets must include years two and three.
County Manager James Shubert updated the commission on local infrastructure projects, saying preliminary design plans for the Albany Avenue overpass should be ready in November to start right-of-way acquisitions and that the State Street overpass is scheduled to be let in September. Shubert also recommended possibly surplusing a small county-owned storage building at Ossie Davis Parkway and Alice Street and noted another storage building could get HVAC for climate-controlled storage.
The meeting adjourned at 7:48 p.m. The board proposed June 9, 2025 as the date to approve these minutes.
