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Upson County commissioners approve RV special exception, hire armed security and add five jail spaces; accept litigation settlement
Summary
At its April 28 meeting in Thomaston, the Upson County Board of Commissioners approved a special exception allowing an RV on a construction site, awarded an armed security contract for the Drake Building, authorized furnishing five additional jail spaces, approved the consent agenda (with one abstention), and accepted settlement terms in the Russell Thompson litigation.
Upson County commissioners on April 28 approved several routine and operational measures, including a zoning special exception to permit a recreational vehicle as temporary housing during construction, a contract for armed security at county offices, and funding to furnish five additional jail spaces.
The board unanimously approved SPX2022-RV01, a request from Larry Blaisdell of Thomaston to allow an RV at 411 Poplar Grove Drive while his home is built. County staff told the commission the property is approximately 6.38 acres, that Blaisdell holds an active building permit and has approved septic and well systems, and that the Upson County Zoning Ordinance (UCZO) allows temporary RV housing for 12 months with a possible 12‑month extension (not to exceed 24 months). Commissioner Paul Jones made the motion to approve the special exception; Commissioner James Ellington seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
The board also discussed options for security services at the Drake Building, which houses the Tax Commissioner, Tax Assessor, Zoning, Registrar and 4‑H offices. The Tax Commissioner presented three firms and staff highlighted benefits including experience, cost and potential local hiring. Commissioner James Ellington urged that because the service will cover multiple offices, the cost should not fall solely to the Tax Commissioner’s budget, saying the expense “should be charged somewhere else for budget purposes.” The commission unanimously approved a contract with Protection Agency & Security Staffing for armed service.
In other operational business, the board approved staff’s recommendation to amend jail construction funds to furnish an additional five spaces. Commissioner Paul Jones moved the measure, Commissioner Christopher Biggs seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
The consent agenda — which included approval of April 1 work session minutes, April 14 regular meeting minutes, and surplus equipment for Emergency Management Agency (EMA) — was approved; Commissioner Benjamin Watson moved the consent agenda, but Commissioner James Ellington abstained from item “b” (the April 14 minutes).
The commission recessed into executive session to discuss litigation, real estate and personnel and, after returning, voted to accept the terms presented by Caldwell and Maddox in the Russell Thompson litigation. That motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Dan R. Brue II closed the meeting by thanking attendees and viewers on YouTube and noting the Tax Assessor’s office performance review showed mostly positive results with minor findings. The meeting adjourned following a unanimous motion to end the session.
What happens next: the special exception allows temporary RV occupancy under the limits in UCZO Section 702.D.2; the security contract and jail furnishing authorizations will be implemented by county staff under existing procurement and budget procedures. The SPLOST item for renovation of the former Probate Court office was moved to the next work session and was not acted on at this meeting.
