Long County board adds power-bill cost-sharing item, appoints DFCS members and introduces new county attorney

Long County's Board of Commissioners on June 3 handled several administrative and governance matters, including an agenda amendment on a power-bill cost-sharing arrangement, the appointment of members to the Division of Family and Children Services board and the introduction of the county's newly hired county attorney.

Early in the meeting Commissioner John Reddish moved to add agenda item 7a, described as an agreement between the Board of Commissioners and the Board of Education to change the split of the utility bill at 75 W. Academy St. from 75/25 to an even 50/50 going forward. Commissioner Gerald Blocker seconded the addition and the motion passed unanimously.

Finance Director Bernice Johnson presented the financial report and the bills to be paid; the board authorized payment of the bills on a motion by Commissioner Reddish, seconded by Commissioner Blocker, which passed unanimously.

County Manager Chuck Scragg introduced Luke Moses as Long County's new County Attorney; Mr. Moses thanked the commissioners and gave a brief summary of his education and experience. Commissioner Reddish also moved to appoint Jennifer Posey, Shelby Williams and Justin Baxley to the Long County Division of Family and Children Services Board for four-year terms ending July 30, 2029; the appointment motion was recorded as approved.

Mr. Scragg told the board that Governor Kemp had signed House Bill 801, and effective July 1, 2025 Long County's charter will change from a commissioner-run government to a county manager form of government. He explained the county manager role will act as a liaison between staff and the commissioners while the board retains voting authority on county matters.

Road Superintendent Madison Smith reported that work on Tibet Road was essentially complete, with only a few minor touch-ups remaining; Smith thanked the Sheriff's Office for providing traffic control during the project. During public comment, residents raised concerns about development pressure and infrastructure capacity: Laura Brant argued Stafford Dairy Road should remain agricultural, Scott Hillard warned that roads and schools may not sustain additional growth, and Justin Webb said a proposed 15-lot Bradwell Dunham Road project meets requirements and would be engineered to comply but he had not decided whether homes would be mobile or stick-built.

The board entered and exited an executive session by unanimous votes and then adjourned for the evening.