Pickens County commissioners approve airport contracts, vehicle lease and multiple rezones

The Pickens County Board of Commissioners on Monday approved a series of actions affecting airport property, county purchasing and land use.

Chair (speaker 1) told the board that GDOT and FAA funding had cleared the way for two airport construction projects and the board authorized him to sign a combined GDOT aviation contract (AP0269112-31) for terminal apron rehabilitation and fencing. The board also approved staff-recommended steps for airport property: an RFP process to solicit proposals for roughly 220,000 square feet of available lease space, a sign permit for Hangar H12 to allow Westport Aviators to place a sign on the east face of the building, and a land-lease addendum moving an existing Flats Up LLC footprint (same square footage) approximately 49,900 square feet to a new location to avoid terminal site-prep disturbances. The board tabled a related paving/apron alignment item for Hangar H12 to its June meeting so final GDOT plans can be matched.

Drew Godwin (speaker 5), who identified himself as the applicant’s husband during a public hearing on a downzone request, said the family sought consolidation of two parcels to keep the land in the family and preserve its rural character: “we’re just trying to consolidate and keep, like, keep it beautiful.” Staff had recommended approval of the downzone, and the board later approved moving two parcels from small-ag to agricultural to maintain lower density.

On public safety and training, commissioners authorized a municipal finance equipment lease-purchase application for the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office to acquire 10 fully equipped patrol vehicles through a lease with Ford Credit using SPLOST funds. The transcript contains a stated total of $906,764.08 for the package. Commissioners also approved a paramedic training agreement with Faithful Guardian LLC to host paramedic classes with Pickens County Fire and Rescue; the chair said the partnership supports county efforts to move EMTs to paramedic certification.

The board approved several administrative and procurement items: an IT transition to a hybrid Clearlink contract with an on-site county IT engineer and outsourced support, and a revenue-sharing building inspection contract option with Charles Abbott & Associates (staff described a 75% fee arrangement on permits for assigned projects to avoid county personnel costs). The board approved multiple sets of minutes and confirmed prior joint-session discussions with the City of Jasper about service-delivery strategy.

On land use, the board approved two rezoning requests recommended by staff and the planning commission, including a small parcel at 315 Liberty Lane to allow two flex warehouses. It approved RZ191132 (a 10.5-acre tract) for Highway Business with an explicit condition prohibiting residential dwellings; the transcript records that motion passing 2–1. Following the earlier hearing, the downzone for the two small parcels on Hooten Cove Drive was approved.

Public comment raised concerns about the City of Jasper’s proposed closure of Railroad Street and potential impacts on traffic and emergency access; a resident urged commissioners to press city counterparts to keep arterial streets open. Chair (speaker 1) also addressed circulating social-media reports about county interest in acquiring east-side airport property, stating for the record that the administration and he had no intention of acquiring that property and that prior FAA communications had restricted changes unless FAA requirements were fully met.

The board moved into executive session on a personnel matter at the close of the meeting. The board’s formal motions and outcomes are recorded in the county minutes and the meeting record.