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Long County commissioners adopt 2021 budget in 3-2 vote; approve fire truck, EMS contract and school bond resolution
Summary
At a July 7, 2020 meeting in Ludowici, the Long County Board of Commissioners adopted the 2021 budget in a 3-2 vote, approved a $337,269 fire truck purchase, accepted a $3.23 million school bond resolution, implemented a TSPLOST and approved an EMS contract amid questions about ambulance placement.
The Long County Board of Commissioners adopted the county's 2021 budget in a 3-2 vote at a regular meeting July 7 in Ludowici, approving a package of spending and contract decisions that included a $337,269 fire truck purchase and acceptance of a school district bond resolution.
Chairman Robert D. Parker opened the day with a five-minute Final Public Hearing on the budget; a participant identified only as Mr. Walden raised the possibility of locating a slaughterhouse in Long County during public comment. Parker then called the regular meeting to order at 9:10 a.m.
Commissioner Michael Phillips moved to adopt the 2021 budget; Commissioner Michael Riddle seconded. Commissioners Clifton Deloach and David Richardson voted no, producing a 3-2 margin in favor of adoption. The board also voted unanimously to pay the county bills that were presented.
On transportation funding, Commissioner Michael Riddle moved to adopt a resolution implementing a TSPLOST to begin collecting funds Oct. 1, 2020; the motion passed unanimously. The board also accepted a bond resolution presented to assure compliance with the Constitution and statutes of the State of Georgia that authorizes collection of a direct annual tax sufficient to pay principal and interest on a $3,230,000 general obligation taxable refunding bond, series 2020, to be issued by the Long County School District; that action passed unanimously.
The board approved an EMS contract with Excelsior Ambulance Service on a 4-1 vote. Commissioner David Richardson voted no and asked whether an ambulance would be stationed on the northern end of the county; Chairman Parker said it would not. The board approved the purchase of a fire truck from E-One for $337,269 to be financed through Ludowici Bank, with payments coming from the Impact Fees fund; that motion passed unanimously.
The commissioners also approved a contract for professional services with the Coastal Regional Commission to update the county website, and appointed Ray Howard as the non-public representative for Long County and the City of Ludowici to the Coastal Regional Commission; both motions were unanimous. The board entered and exited an executive session for personnel and potential litigation and then adjourned.
Minutes for the public hearing and regular meeting note the meeting actions were adopted and were signed on Aug. 4, 2020, by Chairman Robert D. Parker and Deputy County Clerk Brandi Smiley.
Votes at a glance: Budget adoption — motion by Commissioner Michael Phillips, seconded by Commissioner Michael Riddle; passed 3-2 (Phillips, Riddle, Parker yes; Deloach, Richardson no). EMS contract with Excelsior Ambulance Service — motion by Commissioner Michael Phillips, seconded by Commissioner Michael Riddle; passed 4-1 (Richardson no). TSPLOST implementation — motion by Commissioner Michael Riddle; passed unanimously. School bond resolution (authorizing $3,230,000 refunding bond) — passed unanimously. Fire truck purchase ($337,269 financing via Ludowici Bank from Impact Fees) — passed unanimously. Website contract with Coastal Regional Commission — passed unanimously. Appointment of Ray Howard as non-public representative — passed unanimously.
The meeting record does not specify staffing details for the EMS contract beyond the objection about a northern station, nor does it include full contract text or implementation timelines. The board's formal minutes and the Aug. 4, 2020 adoption signature are the official record of these actions.
