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County approves animal-control and indigent defense contracts; hears two rezoning first readings
Summary
The board approved a $40,000 animal-control renewal and a $139,444 multiyear shelter contract split with the City of Douglas, approved the Waycross Public Defender indigent services agreement, and received first readings on two Willacoochee rezoning requests.
Coffee County commissioners on Jan. 6 approved routine contracts for animal-control operations and authorized the county’s share of indigent defense services for FY2025.
County Administrator Wesley Vickers presented a $40,000 renewal contract with Charles Jones d/b/a Alapaha Animal Control for January 1–December 31, 2025, covering animal pickup and transport; the board approved the renewal unanimously. Vickers also presented a contract among Coffee County, the City of Douglas and Alapaha Animal Control (Jan. 1, 2025–Dec. 31, 2029) for animal shelter operations totaling $139,444.00. Vickers said the total is split between the county and the city based on shelter intakes; last year Coffee County paid $71,883.36 and the City of Douglas paid $67,560.64. The commission approved the multiyear shelter agreement unanimously.
On indigent defense, Vickers reviewed the Waycross Judicial Circuit Public Defender FY2025 Indigent Services Agreement. He said the county’s share of the caseload rose from 27.5% last year to 31.92% this year, increasing Coffee County’s cost; Vice Chairman Oscar Paulk moved to approve the agreement and the motion passed unanimously.
Code Enforcement Director Jason Whiddon presented two first readings for rezoning in Willacoochee. Rajwant Kaurt requested rezoning of 1 acre at 37 Old Pearson Highway from Agricultural to Commercial to allow a laundromat; Planning Commission recommended approval and staff concurs. Ydarius Baker requested rezoning of 1.96 acres at 1656 Old Columbus Road from Agricultural to Residential Mixed to permit more than one mobile home per acre; Planning Commission recommended denial and staff agrees, citing creation of an isolated district. Both items were presented for first reading.
