Dodge County commissioners approve annexation, name safety coordinator and clear nearly $258,000 in payments

The Dodge County Board of Commissioners met March 3, 2025, and approved a slate of routine and administrative items affecting local governance and facilities.

The board voted unanimously to approve annexation of properties on Congo Lane and the Congo Lane Connector into the City of Eastman after Commissioner Brian Watkins moved the motion and Commissioner Sharon Cobb Flanagan seconded. County Manager Conner Bearden earlier identified the land lots involved (15th Land District, Land Lots 22, 23, 38 and 39).

The board approved accounts payable totaling $257,551.41 (motion by Commissioner Jeffrey Jones, second by Commissioner Brian Watkins) and authorized staff to solicit bids for a health insurance broker and for the landfill metal pile (both at Manager Bearden’s request). Manager Bearden also informed the commissioners that four applications for Hospital Authority Board appointments had been received (Jeffrey Underwood, Cecil Barden, Dan Harrell and Arthur "Reggie" Sheffield) and that Farmer’s Market Board positions expiring in June would be advertised.

Commissioner Sharon Cobb Flanagan moved to approve the DCEDA’s request to use $4,941.01 remaining from its most recent SPLOST allocation (originally for the DJJ building) to paint and landscape the old library next to the depot; Commissioner Leigh Ann Greene seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The board adopted a resolution establishing the position of Safety Coordinator for Dodge County and naming the Facilities Manager to fill that role. The resolution, moved by Commissioner Brian Watkins and seconded by Commissioner Leigh Ann Greene, assigns duties including coordinating safety meetings and inspections, implementing training recommendations, reviewing employee accidents and maintaining inspection records; the minutes note the resolution is intended to help the county qualify for an insurance discount.

Commissioner Sharon Cobb Flanagan reported that the county received a Great American Clean Up Grant and described cleanup activity at the Alcoa building, the botanical garden and Fish Road; she also noted a tire recycling event scheduled for June 16–22. Chairman Dan McCranie noted that crossover day is March 6 and reported on the commissioners’ legislative breakfast in Atlanta. The county manager gave general legislative and community updates; the minutes do not record details. No public comments were filed. The meeting adjourned at 6:36 p.m. on a motion by Commissioner Leigh Ann Greene, seconded by Commissioner Jeffrey Jones.

Votes at a glance

- Agenda amended to remove executive session after public comments: mover Brian Watkins, second Sharon Cobb Flanagan; unanimous. - Minutes approved (Feb. 17, Feb. 20, Feb. 25): movers and seconds recorded in minutes; unanimous. - City of Eastman annexation (Congo Lane/Congo Lane Connector): mover Brian Watkins, second Sharon Cobb Flanagan; unanimous. - Accounts payable totaling $257,551.41: mover Jeffrey Jones, second Brian Watkins; unanimous. - Sawmill Junction solar bond (see separate article): mover Jeffrey Jones; unanimous. - Health insurance broker procurement (authorize solicit bids): approved; unanimous. - Landfill metal pile bids (authorize solicit bids): approved; unanimous. - DCEDA SPLOST request to use $4,941.01 for painting/landscaping old library: mover Sharon Cobb Flanagan, second Leigh Ann Greene; unanimous. - Safety Coordinator resolution (appoint Facilities Manager): mover Brian Watkins, second Leigh Ann Greene; unanimous. - Adjourn at 6:36 p.m.: mover Leigh Ann Greene, second Jeffrey Jones; unanimous.

The minutes record no public comments and no recorded dissents on motions presented; several items (hospital authority applications, Farmer’s Market Board openings, health insurance broker procurement, landfill bids) were administrative approvals or authorizations for staff to proceed rather than final project approvals.