Upson County commissioners approve budget amendment, renew employee health plan

THOMASTON, Ga. — The Upson County Board of Commissioners on May 26 approved a series of routine but consequential actions, including a FY2026 budget amendment for the Tax Assessor's Office and renewal of the county's employee medical insurance with Anthem, and signed off on a consent agenda that included SPLOST funds for Town Creek sewer repairs and a security-services contract for the Government Complex.

Commissioner Paul Jones moved to approve the consent agenda, which included approval of May 5 work session minutes, May 12 regular meeting minutes, use of SPLOST funds for capital repairs under the Town Creek Sewer Agreement, and a contract for security services for the Government Complex; Vice Chairman Benjamin Watson seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

On new business, the board approved Resolution 09.2026, a FY2026 budget amendment for the Tax Assessor's Office. "A motion was made by Commissioner Jones with a second from Commissioner Biggs to approve Resolution 09.2026 FY 2026 Budget Amendment for the Tax Assessors Office," the minutes record; the motion passed unanimously.

The board also approved renewal of its employee medical insurance with Anthem. Commissioner Benjamin Watson moved approval and Commissioner James Ellington seconded; the motion passed unanimously.

The meeting opened public hearings for a first reading of a text amendment regarding R2 lot size where public water is available and for a truck-parking ordinance; both hearings drew no public comments. Chairman Dan R. Brue II said he was "comfortable with moving forward with the R2 ordinance," and added that "there will be some tax relief this year due to HB 581."

The agenda had listed a Beer Package Sales license application on file from Rukhsana Kousar on behalf of Perfect Food Mart INC at 2055 Highway 19 North; earlier in the meeting the board voted to remove that public hearing from the agenda.

During the public-comment period, resident Andy Chastain thanked the board for coordinating security services for the Government Complex campus. County Clerk Jessica Jones reported that the deed for reversion of the Old DOT building has been recorded, the chamber has vacated the building, facilities will clean it once the Tax Commissioner moves, the USDA office has vacated and documents have been sent to the state regarding a potential State Patrol office (the board is awaiting a response).

Commissioner James Ellington offered condolences to the Barfield family on the passing of Roanld Barfield and expressed concern that the board had not been updated on the text amendments prior to their being added to the agenda, urging adherence to the Planning Commission process. Commissioner Christopher Biggs noted a strong turnout at the recent Emancipation Celebration, and Vice Chairman Watson reported that an incident at Lincoln Park during a baseball practice left no one hurt and had been handled.

A motion to adjourn by Commissioner Biggs, seconded by Vice Chairman Watson, closed the meeting.

Votes at a glance: - Agenda approval (removal of Beer Package Sales public hearing): motion approved unanimously. - Consent agenda (minutes, SPLOST Town Creek repairs, security-services contract): approved unanimously. - Resolution 09.2026, FY2026 budget amendment (Tax Assessor): approved unanimously. - Employee medical insurance renewal with Anthem: approved unanimously.

The board took no final action on the R2 lot-size text amendment or the truck-parking ordinance at this meeting beyond opening first-reading hearings; both will return for further consideration under the normal ordinance-reading process.

The meeting was adjourned.