Candler County commissioners approve $300,000 hospital transfer, cemetery variance and 50% share for used fire truck

The Candler County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 2 approved a series of actions affecting county facilities, emergency services and land use, including a $300,000 transfer to the Candler County Hospital Authority and a conditional zoning variance to permit cemetery expansion.

Chairman Brad Jones presided over the meeting in Metter, where the board unanimously authorized the $300,000 distribution from a restricted hospital reserve account collected via a one-mill tax. County Administrator Bryan Aasheim told commissioners the reserve currently holds approximately $306,000 following a recent tax-commissioner distribution and that the requested $300,000 must be authorized by the board before release to the Hospital Authority.

The approval of the funds, Jones said, follows the standing agreement requiring commission authorization for distributions from the restricted account.

The board also voted on a contested zoning variance (CANDLER-2025-12) involving a proposed land swap to expand the Sam's Creek Missionary Baptist Church cemetery. Applicant David Ray Coursey asked commissioners to approve the variance and said he was “willing to donate and clear the land” for the cemetery expansion. Coursey told the board the request traces to a commitment his late father made and that he wished to provide the church the opportunity to accept the land.

Larry Gibson, speaking on behalf of the church, said the congregation intends to move forward, while Al Dekle, another church representative, asked the commission to delay approval so the church secretary could seek legal counsel and ensure the transfer is handled through proper church channels. Administrator Bryan Aasheim explained that the county’s approval of the zoning variance would only clear the request under the zoning ordinance; it would not itself effectuate any land transfer. The board approved the variance with a stipulation that any smaller parcels involved in a swap be recombined with their parent parcels so no nonconforming lots are created; the motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Tre’ Ross recusing and not voting on the item.

Public safety items were a central part of the meeting. Metter Fire Chief Jason Douglas reported high call volumes over the last month and presented a proposal for a used 2009 Pierce fire truck priced at $275,000, which he said would be a substantially lower-cost option than a new truck (about $1.2 million). The board agreed to split the purchase cost with the City of Metter, approving a 50% county share of $137,500 to be paid from Special Service District reserves; Vice‑Chairman Blake Hendrix, who inspected the truck with Chief Douglas, supported the purchase.

EMS Director Xavier Winkler gave a 2025 recap in which he reported 185 overdose responses and 31 cardiac-arrest calls, noting a 44% resuscitation success rate; January’s call volume was 192. After executive session for personnel, the board authorized Winkler to hire three part‑time EMS staff—paramedic Katie Werner, EMT Nathan Allred and AEMT William Clark—subject to pre‑employment screening; those hires were approved 5-0.

The commission approved a number of administrative and infrastructure items by unanimous votes, including: • Approval of an underground utility easement (Easement #2) with Georgia Power on parcel 046 019 to deliver power to the new Candler County detention center at 1035 E Hiawatha St. (motion passed 5-0) • Amendment to Section 9 (Attendance and Leave, Holidays) of the county personnel policy to remove the fixed holiday list and instead follow an annually approved holiday schedule (motion passed 5-0) • Declaration of specified vehicles and equipment as surplus and authorization to advertise them for sealed bids (motion passed 5-0) • Agreement to serve as fiscal agent for Family Connection of Candler County for FY 2027, with a formal contract to follow (motion passed 5-0)

Several procurement items were tabled for follow-up: the board asked staff to obtain trade-in values and additional details on a CAT/Yancey motor-grader lease/purchase proposal and tabled selection of a bidder for Metter‑Candler Recreation facility repairs after requesting references and clarification about One of a Kind’s $56,700 advance‑payment request. The Strickland Building entrance repair item was also tabled after the low bidder’s conditional pricing language raised legal questions; all three items were tabled until the Feb. 16 meeting.

During public comment, resident Shannon Ethridge raised concerns about a pond and an 18‑inch concrete pipe on Pittman Road (Parcel 029 015). Commissioner Tre’ Ross visited the site; the board discussed a site inspection with commissioners and engineers before the next meeting.

The meeting went into executive session at 6:41 p.m. to discuss personnel and reconvened at 7:25 p.m., at which time the board certified the closed session pertained to personnel. The meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m.

What happens next: the board left multiple procurement items—recreation repairs, Strickland entrance repairs and the CAT/Yancey grader proposal—on the calendar for Feb. 16 for follow-up information and possible final action.

Sources: meeting minutes and presentations to the Board of Commissioners, Feb. 2, 2026; direct statements to the board by David Ray Coursey, Jason Douglas and Xavier Winkler.