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Coffee County commissioners approve rollback tax levy, school millage and several contracts
Summary
On Sept. 3, 2024 the Coffee County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a 7.5 mill county tax levy (a rollback), ratified the school board millage of 14.561 mills, awarded a health department renovation contract and authorized jail cell refurbishment and equipment purchases.
Coffee County commissioners unanimously approved a series of budget and contracting measures at their Sept. 3, 2024 regular meeting, including a county tax levy described as a rollback, the school board’s adopted millage rate, and multiple capital contracts.
County Administrator Wesley Vickers told the board the county’s digest last year was 7.531 mills and recommended a 7.5 mill levy for FY2024 composed of 7.000 mills for county purposes and 0.500 mill for the Economic Development Authority. "This is a rollback for the County," Vickers said. Commissioner AJ Dovers moved to approve the levy and Commissioner Oscar Paulk seconded; the motion passed unanimously.
Vickers also reported that the Coffee County Board of Education adopted a 2024 millage rate of 14.561 mills at its Aug. 22 meeting and asked the commission to approve the same rate. Commissioner Ted O’Steen moved to approve the 14.561 millage and Vice Chairman Johnny Wayne Jowers seconded; the commission voted unanimously to adopt the school millage.
The board approved a contract for renovations to the Coffee County Health Department after reviewing two bids. Harper & Company Builders submitted a base bid of $424,000 with an add alternate of $12,000; Charles Lewis Construction Company submitted a base bid of $436,594 with an add alternate of $9,840. Consultant Vic Suttles of Suttles & Associates recommended Harper & Company Builders as the low responsive bidder. Commissioner Oscar Paulk moved to accept the Harper bid including the add alternate for a total of $436,000; Commissioner AJ Dovers seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Vickers said the county will apply $150,000 from the health department toward the work and will fund the remaining balance from ARPA funds.
Separately, the commission authorized an agreement with SteelCo Services to refurbish jail cells at the Coffee County Jail for up to $500,000, to be paid from SPLOST VII. Vickers said one or two cells will be refurbished in the initial phase and additional cells may be addressed later. Commissioner AJ Dovers moved to approve the agreement (the minutes record Dovers as both mover and seconder); the motion carried unanimously.
The board also approved the purchase of a new road shoulder widener from Reynolds Warren for $67,500 to be paid from TIA funds. Commissioner Ted O’Steen moved to approve the equipment purchase and Vice Chairman Johnny Wayne Jowers seconded; the vote was unanimous.
All votes recorded at the meeting were unanimous unless otherwise noted. The meeting adjourned at 10:03 a.m.
What happens next: The approved ARPA and SPLOST-funded contracts will proceed to procurement and scheduling; local officials said no further public hearings are required for the approvals taken at the Sept. 3 meeting.
