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Appling County commissioners set tentative millage at 0.034, schedule FY2026 budget hearing and approve multiple administrative contracts
Summary
At its Aug. 5 meeting, the Appling County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a tentative millage rate of 0.034 for Tax Assessment Notices, scheduled a FY2026 budget public hearing for Sept. 9, and approved a series of administrative actions including roof repairs, insurance renewal and authorization to sign opioid settlement documents.
The Appling County Board of Commissioners met Aug. 5, 2025, and unanimously approved a package of administrative measures intended to keep county operations on schedule while staff finishes fiscal-year work.
County Manager Reid Lovett told the board that final property reassessment values from the Georgia Mass Appraisal System (GMAS) were still pending and recommended using last year’s millage rate, 0.034, as a placeholder so Tax Assessment Notices could be mailed on time. Commissioner Randy Sellers moved to use 0.034; the motion passed unanimously.
Lovett also reviewed the proposed FY2026 budget and said staff would remove $500,000 in LOST proceeds from the Road Department line and instead budget TIA discretionary funds. The board set a public hearing on the budget for Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, at 4:00 p.m., before the regularly scheduled 5:30 p.m. meeting. Commissioner Randy Sellers made the motion to schedule the hearing; it passed unanimously.
The board approved several routine and operational items on unanimous votes. Commissioner Daryl Edwards moved, and the board approved, to allow County Manager Reid Lovett to sign Appling County’s participation agreements in the National Opioid Settlement on the county’s behalf.
On facilities, the board accepted the lowest of three bids to replace the roof at the Appling Heritage Center. Lovett reported bids of $86,180 (Dixie Builders), $34,450 (Sweet Onion Roofing) and $54,062 (LL Home Supply for shingles). Commissioner Ricky Barnes moved to award the contract to Sweet Onion Roofing for $34,450; the motion passed unanimously.
On employee benefits, Lovett presented renewal proposals for health coverage with UnitedHealthcare. The broker negotiated a revised renewal of a 13% increase with no plan changes (an earlier offer had been 16% or 10% with significant plan changes). Dental and vision coverage with Humana remain unchanged through the current two-year rate lock. Lovett recommended renewing at the 13% increase and directed staff to continue vetting a newer option called Sidecar for possible adoption in January 2026; the board approved the recommendation on a unanimous vote.
Lovett described a promotional opportunity to feature Appling County on the public-television program Viewpoint with Dennis Quaid. The underwriting commitment would be $25,900 plus production crew fees of $3,400. Lovett said he had discussed the project with the City of Baxley and the Tourism Board and would request their funding; the board approved proceeding and covering the expense under promotional items if outside funding is not approved.
All motions recorded at the meeting passed by unanimous voice votes. No roll-call tallies were provided in the minutes. The next procedural step for the FY2026 budget is the public hearing Sept. 9, 2025; additional budget adjustments may follow after that hearing.
