Gordon County commissioners unanimously approve surplus declarations, equipment purchases, insurance plan and new position

The Gordon County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a package of routine county actions during its May 5, 2026 regular meeting, including surplus declarations, three SPLOST-funded equipment purchases totaling $104,222, acceptance of an employee health insurance proposal, adoption of an ACCG Safety Discount Program Annual Safety Action Plan (projected savings of $54,511), creation of a maintenance position in the Community Events Center and a resolution calling for a public hearing on closing part of Old Lily Pond Road.

The board, chaired by M.L. “Bud” Owens, voted 5-0 on each item. Vice-Chair Kevin Cunningham, Commissioners Chad Steward, Randy Abernathy and Kurt Sutherland joined Owens in approving the measures.

Why it matters: several of the purchases are funded with 2024 SPLOST allocations and therefore affect capital spending plans; the ACCG safety-plan discounts apply directly to the county’s workers’ compensation and property/liability premiums and were presented as a discrete, quantifiable savings of $54,511. The creation of a maintenance position is a personnel change that will increase operating staff in the Community Events Center department.

What the board approved: • Surplus declarations: The commission approved Fleet Management’s request to deem unspecified county items as surplus, a 2009 Dodge Charger from the Sheriff’s Office, and two Parks and Recreation items (a 2014 Yamaha golf cart and a John Deere Gator TX). (Motion carried 5-0.)

• Equipment purchases (SPLOST-funded): The board approved Public Works’ purchase of a 2026 Ford F450 with Knapheide body from Prater Ford for $79,422 (GL Account 329-542100-431); Parks and Recreation’s purchase of a 2026 Royal EV Crown golf cart from Royal Electric Vehicles, LLC for $11,300 (GL Account 329-542200-454); and Parks and Recreation’s purchase of a 2025 Bad Boy 750CC Bandit UTV from Down to Earth Sales and Service LLC for $13,500 (GL Account 329-542200-454). Each motion carried 5-0.

• ACCG Safety Discount Program Annual Safety Action Plan: Human Resources Director Don Holley and Risk Manager Stacy Long presented the plan; the board adopted it, which the meeting record describes as producing a 7.5% discount on workers’ compensation and a 5% discount on property and liability insurance for a combined projected savings of $54,511. (Motion carried 5-0.)

• Employee health insurance proposal: The commission accepted the employee health insurance proposal presented by Chuck Shaw of Starr Mathews and admitted the proposal into the record. (Motion carried 5-0.)

• Personnel: The board approved creation of one maintenance position in the Community Events Center Department. (Motion carried 5-0.)

• Road closure procedure: The commission adopted a resolution calling for a public hearing to consider closing a portion of Old Lily Pond Road; the resolution instructs staff to set the hearing. (Motion carried 5-0.)

Procedural notes and next steps: All motions recorded in the meeting minutes passed unanimously (5-0). The resolution regarding Old Lily Pond Road schedules a future public hearing; the minutes do not include a date for that hearing. The minutes indicate no contested debate on these items and no substantive amendments were proposed on the floor.

The meeting opened with a work-session overview from Administrator Jim Ledbetter and presentations from Human Resources and risk staff; the meeting adjourned after the new-business votes.