Tift County commissioners approve resolution to call special election after attorney cites timing conflict

The Tift County Board of Commissioners voted 5-0 on May 27, 2025, to approve Resolution No. 2025-15, calling an election to fill a county vacancy after the county attorney said conflicting deadlines and an advertising lapse created a permissive "special circumstance." County Attorney Anthony Rowell told the board that local legislation and state law conflict on when the election must be called and that today was the 15th day since the vacancy; "the mandate of the 15th day creates a special circumstance which allows this meeting to be held," he said.

Commissioner Melissa Hughes moved to approve Resolution No. 2025-15; Commissioner Stan Stalnaker seconded. The motion carried 5-0, with Chairman Tony McBrayer casting a vote. Commissioner Paul Webb was absent and the District 5 seat remains vacant.

Chairman McBrayer said he had notified Davis Cobb, a reporter for the Tifton Gazette, by text message on May 14, 2025, about the called session and the agenda item; he said those text messages will be provided to the County Clerk for the record. The board reported there was no executive session to report.

The board adjourned after a motion by Hughes, seconded by Commissioner Donnie Hester, which also carried 5-0. The resolution calls for an election but the transcript does not specify the election date or additional administrative steps; those details were not specified in the record.