Appling County commissioners approve multiple contracts and purchases, pause FY2024 budget review

The Appling County Board of Commissioners approved a series of procurement and administrative actions at meetings June 6 and June 22, including a $174,675 litter-pickup and pipe-cleaning contract, acceptance of the low bid for a TIA road project and use of both SPLOST and ARPA funds to buy a new ambulance.

At a called meeting June 22, the board voted unanimously to accept the only bid received for litter pickup and pipe cleaning — $174,675 from Dennis Burton, doing business as DAP Services — and recorded that Burton’s daughter, Peggy Smith, would perform the work under that business if the county awarded the contract. Commissioners asked whether inmate crews or county personnel could perform the work; County Attorney Tracy Brown told the board that use of inmate crews was no longer allowed and County Manager Al Meadows said overseeing the contractor’s work would be his responsibility. Commissioner Theodore Wilkerson moved to accept the two-cycle $174,675 bid and the motion carried unanimously.

During the June 6 regular meeting the board accepted McClendon Enterprises as the low bidder for a TIA 2024 project (Nails Ferry & Ten Mile) at $3,830,750.17. Commissioner Daryl Edwards moved to accept the bid; the motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Doug Harris reiterated the board’s understanding that the project will be fully funded with TIA (transportation investment act) funds.

On procurement for emergency medical services, County Manager Al Meadows recommended using the $160,827 remaining in the 2018 SPLOST allocation for EMS toward a new ambulance priced at $234,205 and covering the $73,378 gap with ARPA funds. The board approved the purchase and the proposed funding plan unanimously.

Campbell O’Steen of Harris & Company, P.C., who presented the FY2022 audit, told the board that ARPA funds must be budgeted for FY2024 and that the county has until Dec. 31, 2024 to “specify” a use for ARPA funds and until Dec. 31, 2026 to “utilize” them. O’Steen noted the single audit finding was limited segregation of duties within the administration office, an issue he attributed to small staff size.

Other approved items included a $15,385 fireworks contract for a July 1 display, renewal of the Department of Family & Children Services (DFACS) lease on current terms, and a Pineland Behavioral Health lease renewal with rent waived through Jan. 1, 2024. The board also approved recreation-complex Phase 1 fencing replacements and authorized relocation of the county Dive Team to the Extension Services building with installation of a new air-conditioning unit estimated at $3,500–$5,500.

Appointments and administrative actions included reappointments to the Appling Development Authority and the Heart of Georgia Aging advisory committee, appointment of Kelsey Powell to the Region 9 EMS Council and tabling reappointments to the Appling Hospital Authority pending the nomination process.

Sheriff Mark Melton briefed the board on Memorial Day weekend activity, a missing-person case that ended successfully, the operation of two drag-racing tracks in the county and a rise in homelessness; he asked the board to review the vicious-dog ordinance and consider an animal-neglect ordinance. Roads Superintendent Brooks Johnson reported ongoing road building, an upcoming one-day closure on Lake Mayers Road for pipe replacement and a surplus auction.

The board paused detailed review of the proposed FY2024 budget after page four because County Manager Meadows had a noon commitment; the board agreed to resume the review at the regular July meeting. Both the called meeting (June 22) and the regular meeting (June 6) adjourned without further votes on the budget.

Votes at a glance: The board recorded unanimous votes to approve the meeting agendas and minutes as presented; accept the DAP Services $174,675 litter/pipe contract; accept McClendon Enterprises as the low bidder for TIA Nails Ferry & Ten Mile at $3,830,750.17; purchase a $234,205 ambulance using $160,827 in 2018 SPLOST funds and $73,378 from ARPA; approve a $15,385 fireworks contract; renew the DFACS lease; renew Pineland’s lease and waive rent until Jan. 1, 2024; approve recreation fencing work; relocate the Dive Team facility and fund the A/C unit within manager approval limits; appoint Kelsey Powell to Region 9 EMS Council; and reappoint members to the Appling Development Authority and Heart of Georgia Aging advisory committee. One item — Appling Hospital Authority reappointments — was tabled.

The board scheduled further budget work for its July meeting and set a public work session for June 22 at 10:00 a.m. to continue fiscal planning.