Tift County commissioners approve $8.04 million EB Hamilton award, reappoint authority members and table alcohol-license application

Tift County commissioners on Sept. 9 approved a multi-item consent agenda that included a notice of award to LRA Constructors Inc. for the EB Hamilton Improvements, Phase 1B project for $8,041,007 and several other contracts, resolutions and license approvals.

The board, chaired by Tony McBrayer, convened at 6 p.m. in Room 207 of the Charles Kent Administration Building. Commissioners Paul Webb, Greg Wood, Donnie Hester and Fred "Buck" Rigdon were present; Commissioners Stan Stalnaker and Melissa Hughes were absent.

The meeting's most significant procurement action was the board's approval of a Notice of Award to LRA Constructors Inc. for EB Hamilton Improvements, Phase 1B in the amount of $8,041,007. County documents listed funding sources for that award as General Fund reserves, SPLOST VI, ARPA, ARPA interest and Hotel/Motel funds. The consent agenda also authorized a personal property audit contract with Traylor Business Services for $18,000 from the General Fund; culvert repairs on Omega-Eldorado Road by Southern Concrete for $42,000 from TSPLOST; an amended addendum with Watkins Engineering for $358,689.65 from SPLOST VI for the same EB Hamilton project; and Change Order No. 1 to The Scruggs Company's FY24 Supplemental LMIG contract to add Old Ocilla Road and Hall Road for $101,289.16 (TSPLOST).

Other consent actions included: adoption of Ordinance No. 2024-03 governing public fireworks display permitting; Resolution No. 2024-08 declaring surplus vehicles; Resolution No. 2024-09 authorizing filing of an application for regional transit services; Resolution No. 2024-10 updating the schedule of fees; allocation of $3,820 in ARPA interest funds to mark a newly purchased fire vehicle; and approval of retail malt beverage and wine licenses for Ryan Rutland at The Market at Rutland Farms (5641 Union Rd).

On a separate agenda item, County Clerk Miriam Jordan reported that the sheriff's office recommended against approving an alcohol license application by Pina Shah for Shree Ji TyTy 1210 LLC because the applicant/manager is reported to be living in Texas. Jordan said she had spoken with the applicant, who will provide a utility bill to document residency in TyTy. Commissioner Greg Wood moved to table the application until the next regular session; Commissioner Paul Webb seconded. The motion carried 5-0.

The board also handled routine appointments. County Clerk Miriam Jordan said terms for Dr. Homer Day and Jay Short on the Tift County Development Authority expire Sept. 14; both indicated willingness to serve another four-year term. Commissioner Donnie Hester nominated both, and the commission approved their reappointments 5-0. Legacy Behavioral Health requested reappointment of Chris Griffin to the South Georgia Community Service Board; Commissioner Paul Webb nominated Griffin and the commission approved his reappointment 5-0.

During public comment, Christopher Burchell of 2415 Madison Drive asked the board to pursue a more detailed analysis of how much sales tax revenue in Tift County comes from out-of-county consumers.

Commissioner Paul Webb used his time near the end of the meeting to publicly thank Tift County EMS, Fire and Sheriff's Office for their response to a health emergency involving his mother, saying their response had twice saved her life.

With no further business, Commissioner Donnie Hester moved to adjourn; Commissioner Fred "Buck" Rigdon seconded and the meeting was adjourned by a 5-0 vote.

What comes next: the alcohol-license application was tabled to the next regular session pending residency documentation; other approved contracts and the EB Hamilton project will proceed under the funding sources and procurement actions approved by the board.