Effingham County commissioners approve roundabout condemnation, routine HR and finance changes and deny a large rezoning

The Board of Commissioners of Effingham County, Georgia, met March 4, 2025 and took a series of routine and agenda-driven actions, including authorizing condemnation for a small parcel needed to build a roundabout and approving multiple human-resources, procurement and project items.

Chairman Damon M. Rahn opened the meeting at 5:03 p.m. County Engineer Hulme asked the board to approve Resolution 025-007 to condemn 0.005 acres and associated temporary easements for construction of a roundabout at Kolic-Helmly and Hodgeville roads; Commissioner Roger Burdette moved to approve and Commissioner Phil Kieffer seconded. The board approved the resolution unanimously.

Procurement and Contracts Manager Danielle Carver explained that the county’s Mutual Aid Agreement with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals remains in effect from April 4, 2022, to April 4, 2027, with automatic five-year renewals; the board voted unanimously to continue the agreement.

The board approved several human-resources policy updates proposed by HR and Risk Management Director Sarah Mausolf, including an addition to SOP 5.01 on premium holiday pay for essential personnel, a vehicle-use policy (SOP 6.10), an amendment to attendance rules to change first-responder notice from eight to 24 hours, a new tuition-reimbursement SOP (4.03), and job descriptions for a Finance Director and Accounting Manager. All HR motions carried unanimously.

Project Manager Tre Wilkins presented construction items including Change Order #7 for the Administrative Building renovation (sidewalk, courtyard and HVAC access) in the amount of $21,260; the board ratified the change order unanimously. Wilkins also introduced a $35,000 amendment with Raftelis to expand a rate and financial planning study to include work for the county’s proposed surface water treatment plant; that amendment was approved unanimously.

The board approved an amendment to the Tax Assessor’s software services agreement with TrueRoll to add a Vetter service that will automate reviews of improper homestead exemptions and integrate with the county’s CAMA system. Tax Commissioner Daniel Rodewolt presented a package of tax-administration resolutions—025-008 (waive collection of taxes of $1.00 or less), 025-009 (biweekly motor vehicle tax disbursement), 025-010 (limited waiver of fees for delayed mailed checks) and 025-011 (standardized due date for property tax bills)—and the board approved each unanimously.

The board acknowledged annexation petitions submitted by the cities of Guyton, Rincon and Springfield and reappointed Barry Flonnory to the Effingham Hospital Authority for a four-year term.

In planning matters, the board approved multiple variances, conditional uses and smaller rezoning requests with conditions requiring plats and wetlands delineation as appropriate. Notably, a request to rezone roughly 100.34 acres from AR-1 to R-5 (Blue Fern Management/Scott Rosenstock for Charles Ale) passed on a 4–1 vote with Commissioner Beth Helmly opposed. Several other planning-board items and conditional uses were approved with conditions including limits on hours and vehicle counts for rural businesses.

The meeting adjourned at 8:41 p.m.

Votes at a glance: - Blue Fern Management (rezoning ~100.34 acres AR-1 to R-5): approved 4–1 (Commissioner Helmly opposed). - Resolution 025-007 (condemnation for roundabout parcel): approved unanimously. - Mutual Aid Agreement with the ASPCA: approved unanimously. - Change Order #7 (Admin renovation): approved unanimously; amount $21,260. - Raftelis Amendment (water treatment rate study): approved unanimously; amount $35,000. - TrueRoll software amendment (Tax Assessor): approved unanimously. - Tax resolutions 025-008, 025-009, 025-010, 025-011: approved unanimously. - Multiple planning variances and conditional uses: approved with stated conditions. - Goshen Road rezoning (~221.87 acres from AR-1 to R-5): denied unanimously.