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Liberty County board approves airport generator contract, opioid fund awards and ordinance changes; chair condemns park vandalism
Summary
At its May 5 meeting the Liberty County Board of Commissioners approved multiple routine actions including a $156,000 airport generator contract, changes to local alcohol distance rules and fee increases, and allocations from opioid settlement funds; Chairman Donald L. Lovette urged residents to report vandalism after a park sign was stolen.
The Liberty County Board of Commissioners on May 5 approved a series of routine items — from procurement to board appointments — and issued a warning after vandalism at a recently renovated county park.
Chairman Donald L. Lovette opened the meeting and certified compliance with the Georgia Open Meetings Act before the board took up minutes, proclamations and a slate of motions. The board unanimously approved the April 2026 minutes after a motion from Commissioner Marion Stevens and a second from Commissioner Connie Thrift.
The meeting included multiple proclamations and recognitions: Dr. Irving White spoke for the United Ministries Alliance about the National Day of Prayer; EMS Deputy Director Gene Long and county staff recognized National EMS Week; and Ashley Allen, CEO of Gateway Community Service Board, and Phylicia Anderson spoke for Mental Health Awareness Month. County Administrator Joseph M. Mosley and Chairman Lovette commended Liberty County Fire Rescue and EMA for providing mutual aid to Brantley County in recent fires.
Chairman Lovette also noted the April ribbon cutting for Susie King Taylor Freedom Park in the Isle of Wight community, calling the park a restored community destination. He reported that over the weekend someone stole the park’s cemented sign and warned perpetrators that “the time will come when you will be caught,” saying the county will pursue prosecution and is working to install cameras and other security measures. EMA Director Roberty Dodd described the county’s mutual-aid work as “neighbors helping neighbors.”
On land-use business the board heard a presentation from Liberty County Planning staff on the Wheeler Tract final plat for a Justin Webb subdivision on Rye Patch Road (District 3). LCPC planner Jeff Ricketson said LCPC had no recommendation; after discussion the board voted to deny the subdivision request on a motion by Commissioner Connie Thrift, seconded by Commissioner C. Timothy Blount.
Engineering director Trent Long briefed the board on county projects and presented a proposed Right of Way Maintenance Agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation for the SR 25/Barrington Ferry Road roundabout. Commissioner Marion Stevens moved to approve the agreement, Commissioner Thrift seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
In old business, Jeff Ricketson completed a second reading of an amendment to the county’s distance requirements for on- and off-premises alcohol sales intended to align the local ordinance more closely with state requirements; Commissioner Justin Frasier moved to adopt the amendment, Commissioner Blount seconded, and the board approved the change unanimously.
Under new business the board approved staff’s recommendation to award the MidCoast Regional Airport generator contract to R.L. Lee/Charlton Electric for $156,000 after review of four proposals; Commissioner Connie Thrift moved the award and Commissioner C. Timothy Blount seconded. The board also approved a county resolution to increase alcohol license fees on a motion by Commissioner Thrift, seconded by Commissioner Blount.
The Opioid Settlement Fund Committee (Commissioners Blount, Stevens and Thrift) recommended and the board approved the following allocations: $20,000 for drug court, $20,000 for veterans treatment court, $20,000 for family treatment court, $32,195 for an EMS narc box, and $19,788 for the Sheriff’s Office Chance program. Commissioner Connie Thrift moved the committee recommendation; the motion passed unanimously.
The board unanimously approved a slate of appointments and reappointments across regional and county boards, including reappointment of Pastor Richard Haze to the Coastal Regional Commission, appointment of Roland Varnon to the Coastal Workforce Investment Board, and various reappointments to the Cultural & Historic Resources Committee, Georgia Forestry board, Library Board and Public Facilities Authority; one DFCS Board appointment was deferred pending a leadership meeting.
County Administrator Joseph M. Mosley also reported that Marcia Hamilton resigned from the HAMPO Citizen Advisory Committee and that the county will fill the vacancy. The meeting adjourned following a motion by Commissioner Gary Gilliard and a second from Commissioner Marion Stevens.
Actions at the meeting were recorded as unanimous approvals for motions where noted.
