Tyler Riddle sworn as Tift County commissioner; resident urges basketball-court repairs, board enters executive session

Tyler Riddle was sworn in as a Tift County commissioner at the board's July 8 work session when Superior Court Judge Melanie Cross administered the oath of office, and commissioners welcomed Riddle to the board.

During public comment, resident Jonathan Hodges of EB Hamilton Drive asked the board to consider improvements to the basketball courts located beside the pickleball courts and said he had a petition signed by other citizens; the petition was not submitted to the county clerk.

County Manager Jim Carter and other staff briefed the board on agenda items for the July 14 consent agenda. Commissioners used the discussion time to ask staff questions about the status of derelict-property demolitions and the placement of recreational courts near Mott Littman Gym. Commissioner Melissa Hughes also asked whether the county had heard from Congressman Jon Ossoff's office.

Near the end of the work session, Commissioner Melissa Hughes moved that the board enter executive session for the purpose of personnel; Commissioner Stan Stalnaker seconded and the motion carried 6-0. Hughes moved to adjourn the executive session, Stalnaker seconded, and that motion carried 6-0. Chairman Tony McBrayer then closed the work session.

Chairman McBrayer also recognized Commissioner Stan Stalnaker for an appointment by Governor Kemp to the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Council. The board did not take formal votes on the consent items during the work session; those items were listed for action at the July 14 meeting.