Tift County board approves Head Start lease, makes animal control appointments and advances Gazette Building renovation

At its Oct. 14 meeting, the Tift County Board of Commissioners approved a set of administrative items: a lease renewal for Head Start at 64 Tifton‑Eldorado Road, appointments to the Animal Control Board, an amendment to a surplus‑vehicle resolution to retain a vehicle for airport courtesy use, and authorization to send the Gazette Building renovation project out for bid.

County Manager Jim Carter said the Head Start lease had expired; the approved agreement is for one year with two one‑year renewal options. County Clerk Miriam Jordan described the Animal Control Board vacancy; Commissioner Melissa Hughes nominated Elizabeth Daniel for the board seat and Josh Rousey for the alternate; motions to appoint both carried 6-0. Clerk Jordan told the board staff identified a need for a courtesy vehicle at the airport and recommended removing vehicle 8796 from the surplus list so the county retains it and the Airport Authority will reimburse the county for insurance; the board approved the amended resolution 6-0. Architect Mac McCall presented designs for renovating the Gazette Building to temporarily house court functions during courthouse renovation and to build a courthouse annex; the board authorized staff to solicit bids.

Why it matters: these routine administrative actions keep county services and facilities moving — preserving Head Start space, maintaining animal control governance, ensuring an airport courtesy vehicle, and advancing temporary court space via the Gazette Building renovation. Funding and terms were described in staff reports: the Head Start lease term (one year with two renewal options) and the airport vehicle insurance reimbursement arrangement were explicitly noted.

What’s next: staff will execute the lease, process appointments, coordinate insurance reimbursement with the Airport Authority, and advertise the Gazette Building renovation for bids.