Screven County commissioners re-elect Boyd and Warren; begin SPLOST planning, discuss sanitation RFP and road repairs

The Screven County Board of Commissioners re-elected Commissioner Will Boyd as chairman and Commissioner J.C. Warren as vice-chairman during their Jan. 9, 2024 regular meeting at the Screven County Courthouse. The re-election motions passed by majority votes after Commissioner Allison Willis registered opposition to both re-elections.

The meeting opened at 9 a.m.; Commissioner J.C. Warren gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance. County Manager Lori Burke conducted the officer elections. For the chair re-election, Commissioners Edwin Lovett, J.C. Warren, Rosa Romeo, Ben Thompson and Mike Dixon were recorded in favor and Commissioner Allison Willis opposed; the motion carried by majority. For the vice-chair re-election, Commissioners Lovett, Will Boyd, Romeo, Thompson and Dixon were recorded in favor and Commissioner Willis opposed; that motion also carried by majority.

The board approved the meeting agenda and the Dec. 12, 2023 minutes by unanimous votes. Commissioner J.C. Warren moved, and the board unanimously approved, the reappointment of James Snow to the Tax Assessors Board. Commissioner Rosa Romeo moved, and the board unanimously adopted, a resolution establishing terms of office for Tax Assessors Board members (minute book reference noted).

County Manager Burke told the board that the SPLOST (special-purpose local-option sales tax) renewal is approaching and asked commissioners to begin assembling a project list. Commissioner Allison Willis requested staff provide a list of previously completed and unfinished SPLOST projects and the remaining fund balance before the board finalizes projects.

Burke also raised the upcoming request for proposals (RFP) for sanitation services, noting the current contract expires in June. She said several neighboring counties addressed past service issues by switching to curbside collection with a limited number of bulk drop-off sites. Burke proposed that the new contract include a clause for increased holiday pickups and require a monthly report of vehicle logs to track service. The board asked for feedback as staff prepares the RFP.

During commission and staff comments, Commissioner Rosa Romeo announced that Allen Burns, executive director of the Coastal Regional Commission, will retire in March 2024 and that the board will be updated about a retirement celebration. Commissioner J.C. Warren reported that Jenk Hill Road is closed because of deteriorating road conditions. Commissioner Mike Dixon praised changes at the Roads & Bridges Department under James Woods and requested authorization to purchase equipment that could be used by multiple departments. Dixon asked for updates on Kettle Creek Road and noted that potholes on Brannen's Bridge Road were patched on Friday. Commissioner Edwin Lovett asked about Hurst Church Road; James Woods said the road currently lacks an outlet for water and described plans to rebuild the grade to force drainage.

County Manager Burke told the board that a Georgia Department of Transportation memorandum agreement limits the county’s authority to perform certain work on state routes. Burke also announced the courthouse would close at 12 p.m. that day because of extreme weather. Chairman Will Boyd adjourned the meeting at 9:53 a.m.

Votes at a glance: The board re-elected Will Boyd as chairman (motion carried by majority; recorded votes: Lovett yes, Warren yes, Romeo yes, Thompson yes, Dixon yes, Willis no; other votes not specified), re-elected J.C. Warren as vice-chair (motion carried by majority; recorded votes: Lovett yes, Boyd yes, Romeo yes, Thompson yes, Dixon yes, Willis no; other votes not specified), approved the agenda and Dec. 12 minutes (unanimous), reappointed James Snow to the Tax Assessors Board (unanimous), and adopted a resolution setting terms for the Tax Assessors Board (unanimous).