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Votes at a glance: Newton County board actions on May 19, 2026
Summary
At its May 19 meeting the Newton County Board approved several routine and project actions: consent agenda; acceptance of an opioid‑abatement grant; HR positions tied to the grant; Pady Drive easement abandonment; a $500,000 intergovernmental Williams Road agreement; Cigna employee insurance renewal; and a $6,920.71 tax refund to Wesley Methodist Church (one commissioner recused).
Below are the distinct formal actions taken by the Newton County Board of Commissioners on May 19, 2026, summarized with the item's purpose and outcome as recorded in the meeting.
• Consent agenda — Approved (voice vote). No specific items were identified for separate discussion during the meeting.
• Item 8 — Accept Georgia Opioid Abatement Trust Grant award of $100,250.15 to support an on‑site instant lab for accountability courts — Approved. (Presenters described equipment partnership and staffing plan.)
• Item 9 — Authorize HR to establish grant‑funded positions (two part‑time collectors and one part‑time lab director) — Approved.
• Item 10 — Resolution to abandon an easement on Pady Drive because it no longer serves transportation needs — Approved.
• Item 11 — Approve the Comprehensive Transportation Plan funding request ($400,000; 80% FHWA, 20% local match) — Approved. Public commenters urged inclusion of corridor‑wide safety studies for Highway 36 and design recommendations for Highway 11.
• Intergovernmental agreement (Williams Road, City of Covington) — Approved. County portion: $500,000 from 2023 SPLOST.
• Item 13 — FY27 employee health and dental insurance renewal recommended by vetting committee (Cigna) — Approved (unanimous on the record).
• Item 14 — Refund request for ad valorem taxes from Wesley Methodist Church of Covington ($6,920.71) — Approved after county attorney advised the property met the statutory exemption; Commissioner Henderson recused from voting because he said the property is his church.
All votes referenced in the record were taken by voice vote and recorded in the meeting as 'All in favor? K.' Specific roll‑call tallies were not included in the transcript.
