Ware County commissioners approve Fulford Road speed reduction, select CDBG engineer, reactivate recreation board and set HB 581 hearing dates

Chairman Elmer Thrift presided over the Ware County Board of Commissioners’ Jan. 16 meeting, at which commissioners approved a package of routine appointments, traffic and grant actions and set public‑hearing dates to begin a formal process under HB 581.

The most substantial items included adoption of Ordinance 2025‑01, which lowers the maximum speed limit on Fulford Road to 35 mph and directs installation of a four‑way stop with solar‑powered, red flashing lights at the designated intersection. Commissioner Timmy Lucas moved to adopt the ordinance; Commissioner Leonard Burse seconded and the board’s roll call recorded all five members voting 'aye'.

The board also approved Resolution 2025‑03 to name Statewide Engineering as the engineer for Ware County’s 2025 Community Development Block Grant application and passed Resolution 2025‑04 to reactivate the county Recreation Board. Commissioners additionally confirmed several appointments: Barry Cox was nominated and confirmed as vice chairman for 2025; Commissioner Timmy Lucas was appointed ex‑officio to the Waycross‑Ware County Library Board; Daniel Morris was appointed to the Waycross‑Ware County Development Authority (term to expire Dec. 31, 2027; appointment effective Feb. 1, 2025); and Commissioner Jon Tindall was appointed to the Downtown Waycross Development Authority.

On a land‑use matter, the board considered a rezoning request at the intersection of Dorothy Street and E. Blackshear Avenue. Commissioner Leonard Burse’s motion to deny the rezoning failed for lack of a second; Commissioner Jon Tindall then moved to approve the rezoning and Commissioner Barry Cox seconded. Assistant County Attorney Herzog stated that Commissioner Timmy Lucas had chosen to abstain from both discussion and the vote because he owns directly adjoining property; Lucas confirmed Herzog’s statement. The roll call that followed, however, was recorded as Burse—NO; Tindall—AYE; Lucas—AYE; Cox—AYE; Thrift—AYE. The meeting transcript therefore records both an announced intention to abstain and a roll‑call entry listing Lucas as voting 'aye'.

Commissioners approved the 2025 Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) LMIG application and an associated road list intended to complete work started under the 2022 LMIG list; Commissioner Leonard Burse recorded a 'no' vote on that item while other commissioners voted 'aye'. During discussion commissioners noted that costs have risen since the 2022 list was compiled and that the county will proceed based on available funds.

On HB 581, which addresses the so‑called floating base homestead exemption, Commissioner Burse moved to begin the statutory advertisement and public‑hearing process required to place a vote to opt out; Commissioner Lucas seconded. Burse read statements from ACCO and the Georgia Department of Revenue saying Ware County’s local base homestead exemption is sufficient to allow participation in a FLOST tax. Interim County Manager Melinda Brooks presented three public‑hearing dates the board agreed to: Jan. 30, Feb. 6 and Feb. 13, 2025 (one meeting must be held between 6 and 7 p.m.). The roll call on initiating the process was recorded as Burse—NO; Tindall—AYE; Lucas—AYE; Cox—AYE; Thrift—AYE.

The meeting also included a brief manager comment from EMA Director Jonathan Daniell, who said very cold temperatures were expected (daytime highs in the 30s, wind chills in the teens) and that staff did not expect significant snowfall; a staff weather meeting was scheduled the following day. The meeting adjourned at 6:46 p.m.

Votes at a glance: • Vice chairman nomination — Motion: nominate Barry Cox as vice chairman (Mover: Commissioner Timmy Lucas; Second: Commissioner Jon Tindall). Vote: Burse—AYE; Tindall—AYE; Lucas—AYE; Cox—AYE; Thrift—AYE. Outcome: Approved. • Library Board ex‑officio appointment — Motion: appoint Commissioner Timmy Lucas (Mover: Commissioner Leonard Burse; Second: Commissioner Jon Tindall). Vote: unanimous AYE. Outcome: Approved. • Ordinance 2025‑01 (Fulford Road speed limit/four‑way stop) — Motion: adopt ordinance lowering speed to 35 mph and install solar‑lit four‑way stop (Mover: Commissioner Timmy Lucas; Second: Commissioner Leonard Burse). Vote: unanimous AYE. Outcome: Adopted. • Resolution 2025‑03 (CDBG engineer) — Motion: approve Statewide Engineering as 2025 CDBG engineer (Mover: Commissioner Timmy Lucas; Second: Commissioner Barry Cox). Vote: unanimous AYE. Outcome: Approved. • Resolution 2025‑04 (Recreation Board reactivation) — Motion: reactivate Recreation Board (Mover: Commissioner Leonard Burse; Second: Commissioner Timmy Lucas). Vote: unanimous AYE. Outcome: Approved. • Appointment to Waycross‑Ware County Development Authority — Motion: appoint Daniel Morris (Mover: Commissioner Timmy Lucas; Second: Commissioner Barry Cox). Vote: unanimous AYE. Outcome: Approved (term expires Dec. 31, 2027; effective Feb. 1, 2025). • Appointment to Downtown Waycross Development Authority — Motion: appoint Commissioner Jon Tindall (Mover: Commissioner Leonard Burse; Second: Commissioner Timmy Lucas). Vote: unanimous AYE. Outcome: Approved. • Rezoning at Dorothy St. & E. Blackshear Ave. — Motion: approve rezoning (Mover: Commissioner Jon Tindall; Second: Commissioner Barry Cox). Roll call recorded Burse—NO; Tindall—AYE; Lucas—AYE; Cox—AYE; Thrift—AYE. Outcome: Approved (note: Assistant County Attorney stated Commissioner Lucas intended to abstain; the roll call lists Lucas as 'AYE'). • GDOT LMIG 2025 application — Motion: approve application and road list (Mover: Commissioner Timmy Lucas; Second: Commissioner Jon Tindall). Vote: Burse—NO; others—AYE. Outcome: Approved. • HB 581 opt‑out process (advertisement/public‑hearing) — Motion: begin required process to take a vote to opt out (Mover: Commissioner Leonard Burse; Second: Commissioner Timmy Lucas). Vote: Burse—NO; Tindall—AYE; Lucas—AYE; Cox—AYE; Thrift—AYE. Outcome: Motion to begin process approved.

What’s next: The board scheduled public hearings on the HB 581 matter for Jan. 30, Feb. 6 and Feb. 13, 2025; no final decision on opt‑out was recorded on Jan. 16.