Coffee County commissioners adopt FY2024 budgets, approve contracts and deny rezoning after public hearing

The Coffee County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 4 adopted its FY2024 General Fund budget of $21,962,000 and a Combined Special Revenue budget totaling $29,583,300, approved several county contracts and rejected a rezoning request following a public hearing.

County Administrator Wesley Vickers presented the budgets and said the county held the required public hearing and ran the legal advertisement. "The General Fund budget is $21,962,000," Vickers said; he added the county has a balanced budget. The board voted unanimously to adopt the FY2024 General Fund and Combined Special Revenue budgets (motion by Commissioner AJ Dovers; second by Commissioner Johnny Wayne Jowers).

Vickers also reviewed budget amendments, saying departmental expenditures increased by $500,000 and that contingency funds would cover the change. He noted that $350,000 of those expenditures paid for improvements to Alvin Geiger Road "will be reimbursed by FEMA next year." The board unanimously approved the budget amendments (motion by Vice-Chairman Jimmy Kitchens; second by Commissioner AJ Dovers).

In a package of contract approvals, commissioners approved an engineering services agreement for FY2024 LMIG resurfacing projects with fees of $70,141.06 (2.5% of projected costs); a FY2024 contract with the Waycross Judicial Circuit Public Defenders' Office for indigent defense services in Superior and Juvenile court for $249,289.98; and a Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. proposal for 2024–2025 landfill post-closure services at the CR 129/17 Mile River Sanitary Landfill for $64,000. County Administrator Vickers said the county has used Jacobs for years to maintain compliance. Each contract was approved unanimously.

The board considered an alcohol license application for Bhupendrakumar S. Patel, doing business as Jay Annapurna, LLC (d/b/a 1st Choice) at 1214 US Highway 221 North. County Attorney Tony Rowell noted Commissioner Johnny Wayne Jowers has a leasehold interest in the property and abstained from the vote; Chairman Ted O'Steen specifically voted to approve the license. The motion passed with the abstention (moved by Vice-Chairman Jimmy Kitchens; seconded by Commissioner AJ Dovers).

Code Enforcement Director Jason Whiddon introduced a rezoning application from Ms. Maria Esquivel for 9.99 acres at 627 Woodcrest Road. Whiddon said the Planning Commission had recommended approval but county staff recommended denial because the change would create an isolated district and raised ingress and egress concerns. The board opened a public hearing; Ms. Esquivel said the parcel "would be used for her family residences" and that she would install septic tanks. After closing the hearing, the commission voted to reject the rezoning request, citing the staff recommendations.

Whiddon also introduced three first-reading rezoning applications: Emmanuel Perez for 3.93 acres at 280 Oat Butler Road (AG to W-LI for cargo-trailer manufacturing; Planning Commission and staff recommended denial), Seven Acres Properties for 31.21 acres on Iron Road (R2/C to RM to develop a 67-lot subdivision; Planning Commission recommended approval and staff recommended approval), and Marcus Horton for 3.14 acres at 6878 Highway 32 East (AG to C to facilitate sale; Planning Commission recommended approval, staff recommended denial based on State Park Overlay and isolation concerns). Those items were listed as first readings and no final action was taken.

The commission approved a three-year renewal of County Administrator Wesley Vickers' contract, which the county attorney said would retain existing terms and add a 3% increase each year.

In public comment, Mr. Jim Meeks of West Green asked the commission to consider a day for residents to dispose of used tires. Ms. Maria Esquivel asked how to proceed with zoning appeals and was directed to meet with Code Enforcement Director Jason Whiddon for next steps. The meeting adjourned at 9:52 a.m.

Votes at a glance - Minutes and agenda approvals: unanimous (Chairman Ted O'Steen, Vice-Chairman Jimmy Kitchens, Commissioner AJ Dovers, Commissioner Johnny Wayne Jowers). Commissioner Oscar Paulk was absent. - Budget amendments: approved unanimously (same voting members). - FY2024 General Fund & Combined Special Revenue budgets: adopted unanimously. - Engineering services contract (LMIG): approved unanimously. - Waycross Judicial Circuit Public Defenders contract ($249,289.98): approved unanimously. - Jacobs Engineering Group landfill post-closure contract ($64,000): approved unanimously. - Alcohol license — Jay Annapurna, LLC (1214 US Hwy 221 N): approved; Commissioner Johnny Wayne Jowers abstained. - Rezoning for 627 Woodcrest Road (Maria Esquivel, 9.99 acres): rejected (motion cited staff concerns re: isolated district and ingress/egress). - County Administrator contract renewal (3 years, 3% annual increase): approved unanimously.

The board scheduled or introduced other rezoning first readings (no final votes) and directed Ms. Esquivel to consult with Code Enforcement for zoning procedures. The commission also noted courthouse holiday closures on Dec. 25–26, 2023 and Jan. 1, 2024.