Long County adopts FY 2025–26 budget; board extends waste contract and sets 1-acre minimum lots

Long County's Board of Commissioners adopted the county's FY 2025–26 budget following a public hearing on July 1, 2025, and during the same meeting approved several other measures including a one-year extension to the county's solid-waste contract and a zoning code amendment establishing a 1-acre minimum lot size in selected residential districts.

Vice Chairman Gerald Blocker opened the public hearing at 6:00 p.m. and County Manager Chuck Scragg reviewed the proposed budget. Scragg told the board and the public that raises for constitutional officers would be implemented only if the state approves an increase; he also said the county had expected a 5% state increase for commissioners. Members of the public asked whether raises should be granted given the county's financial status and raised questions about the Tax Assessor's salary line following recent staff terminations. Scragg also explained that the proposed $120,000 salary for a Community Development Director would cover planning and zoning, code enforcement and building inspection duties and that a departmental reorganization was expected to balance costs.

After public comment, Commissioner John Reddish moved to adopt a resolution approving the FY 2025–26 budget; Commissioner Jeremy Hall seconded and the motion passed 3-0. Vice Chairman Blocker, Commissioner Reddish and Commissioner Hall were recorded as voting yes; Chairman James Craft and Commissioner Robert Parker were absent.

On contract matters, the board approved an amendment to the county's solid-waste agreement with AllGreen Services that extends the contract for one year (July 1, 2025 — June 30, 2026) with options to renew for up to four additional fiscal years. The amendment sets the residential roadside cart rate at $18.00 per cart per month, effective Sept. 1, 2025, and sets convenience-center collection at $175 per ton. AllGreen will submit an annual residential cart audit to the county by April 1 each year, and future rate adjustments will be reviewed annually and tied to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index for water, sewer and trash collection. Commissioner Jeremy Hall moved to approve the amendment; Commissioner John Reddish seconded and the motion passed unanimously, 3-0.

The board also approved several other items: the reappointment of Tammy Goober as Long County's non-public representative to the Coastal Regional Commission Council for a one-year term (motion by Commissioner Hall, seconded by Commissioner Reddish; passed 3-0), and an amendment to the Long County Unified Development Code (sections 7.6.2 and 7.7.2) establishing a minimum lot area of 43,560 square feet (1 acre) for single-family dwellings and all permitted and conditional uses in the R-1 district (motion by Commissioner Hall, seconded by Commissioner Reddish; passed 3-0).

The board voted to enter and then exit executive session by recorded motions that passed 3-0; the minutes include no details of matters discussed in executive session. Later in the meeting, the board authorized County Manager Chuck Scragg to initiate the process of requesting a Tax Anticipation Note (TAN) in an amount of up to $1,000,000 (motion by Commissioner Reddish, seconded by Commissioner Hall; passed 3-0). The meeting adjourned following a final 3-0 vote on adjournment.

The board announced it will recognize district and state baseball and softball winners from the Long County Recreation Department at its August meeting. The minutes were recorded by Romanda Stewart; the minutes were adopted and signed August 5, 2025, by Chairman James Craft and County Clerk Brandi Domicen Smiley.