Tift County commissioners place routine purchases, agreements and licenses on June 9 consent agenda

The Tift County Board of Commissioners on June 3 directed staff to place a series of routine purchases, service agreements and license applications on the June 9 regular meeting consent agenda.

County Manager Jim Carter told commissioners that Animal Control's 2016 Ford F-150 suffered major engine failure and that four quotes were received; the low bid was from Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet at $42,690. Carter said Griffin Ford's bid of $44,775 would fall within the county's 3% local preference threshold but that some commissioners expressed concern about Ford engine reliability.

Public Works Director Jason Jordan said the department received four bids for a Public Works truck and that the lowest bid — Griffin Ford at $44,700 — matched the department's largely Ford fleet, which he said has experienced very little trouble. The board indicated both vehicle purchases should be placed on the consent agenda.

Public Safety Director Joey Fowler asked the board to approve purchase of 20 sets of firefighter personal protective equipment; two bids were received and Bennett Fire Products Co., Inc. submitted the low bid at $69,261.40. Fowler also asked for renewal of a facility use agreement with the City of Tifton for the county's fire training center and for an agreement with Aulick Engineering LLC to update the county's multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan. Fowler said the county received a $28,000 grant for the mitigation update (federal share $21,000; state $2,800; local $4,200).

County Clerk Miriam Jordan reported a 5% increase in the county's property and liability insurance premium with a $5,000 deductible unchanged, and said the State Properties Commission requested a one-year lease renewal for the Department of Driver Services location at 3057 Hwy 41 S (this would be the sixth renewal during an eight-year renewal period). Jordan also summarized two alcohol beverage license applications: Daksh Patel for DH Quick Stop at 3655 US Hwy 82 W, and Hitesh Patel for Shree Sadhi LLC at 4310 Hwy 125 N. Jordan said taxes were current, business licenses were purchased, distance requirements were met and the Sheriff recommended approval for both applications.

The board did not finalize votes at the work session; members indicated their desire to place the listed items on the June 9 consent agenda for formal action.

Next steps: items listed above will appear on the June 9 consent agenda for formal action by the Board of Commissioners.