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Dodge County commissioners approve appointments, grants and contracts; EMS blood‑product proposal tabled
Summary
At a Nov. 17 meeting, the Dodge County Board of Commissioners approved multiple appointments, a BRACE grant, accounts payable and a public defender contract, and voted to table an EMS proposal to carry blood products pending legal review. The chair also opened the FY2026 budget hearing and asked the county attorney to seek state guidance on an airport fuel tax question.
The Dodge County Board of Commissioners met Nov. 17, 2025, at the Pearl Bates Courthouse Annex and approved a series of administrative actions while opening a public hearing on the proposed FY2026 county budgets.
Chairman Dan McCranie called the meeting to order, and the board first opened a public hearing on the county’s proposed 2026 budgets. Commissioner Sharon Cobb Flanagan raised concerns that the airport budget may require adjustments because of legal obligations tied to the airport fuel sales tax; Chairman McCranie asked County Attorney John Harrington to contact the Georgia Department of Transportation and the Department of Revenue for clarification.
The board heard brief department reports: Fire Chief Jamey Wilkinson reported 82 calls in October and 932 calls year‑to‑date; EMS Director Michael Johnson reported 361 calls in October and collections of $102,753.11.
On formal business, commissioners approved the Nov. 3 meeting minutes. They appointed three community members to the Facilities Authority — Jason Braden, Mark Doss and Jason Hersey — and filled the commission seats on the authority with Commissioners Jeffrey Jones and Brian Watkins. The board set staggered terms for the appointees (Braden three years, Doss two years, Hersey one year).
County finance actions included approval of an accounts‑payable report totaling $210,568.73 and confirmation of County Manager Conner Bearden as the regional council third‑member appointee. The board also approved a BRACE (Keep America Beautiful) grant request of $7,500 toward a $15,130 project, with $830 in county funds and additional in‑kind volunteer match. Commissioners named Manager Bearden and Clerk Kimberly Smith‑Parkerson as signatories on a Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) grant.
The board approved the Oconee Judicial Circuit public defender contract, stating Manager Bearden that the contract stipulations align with the proposed 2026 budget. Commissioner Sharon Cobb Flanagan asked the board to apply for a tire abatement grant; the application motion passed. Commissioner Flanagan also reported that a new airport hangar is available for leasing. Commissioner Brian Watkins said transportation sales tax (TSPLOST) revenues arrived sooner than expected and urged planning for county and regional projects.
On emergency‑services policy, EMS Director Michael Johnson proposed carrying blood products on ambulances. Commissioner Jeffrey Jones moved to table that discussion pending review of liability issues by the county attorney; Commissioner Leigh Ann Greene seconded and the motion passed unanimously. The board then entered an executive session at 7:14 p.m. to discuss legal matters, returned to open session at 7:57 p.m., and adjourned.
County Manager Conner Bearden provided operational updates: Fire Station #15 is waiting on Georgia Power for utilities; Fire Station #5 is undergoing HVAC, plumbing and electrical work; the WPA road project received a single bid to be presented at the next meeting; 2025 LMIG and LRA projects are underway; an F‑550 vehicle was stolen from the landfill; the county agent will resign effective Dec. 1 and the position will be advertised in January; and tax bills are due Jan. 20, 2026.
Votes at a glance
- Approve minutes (Nov. 3, 2025): Passed (unanimous) - Approve accounts payable $210,568.73: Passed (unanimous) - Appoint Jason Braden, Mark Doss, Jason Hersey to Facilities Authority and set terms: Passed (unanimous) - Appoint Commissioners Jeffrey Jones and Brian Watkins to Facilities Authority seats: Passed (unanimous) - Table EMS blood‑product proposal for legal review: Passed (unanimous) - Approve BRACE grant request $7,500 (total project $15,130; county cash $830 + in‑kind match): Passed (unanimous) - Appoint Conner Bearden to regional council: Passed (unanimous) - Name CJCC grant signatories (Conner Bearden, Kimberly Smith‑Parkerson): Passed (unanimous) - Approve Oconee Judicial Circuit public defender contract: Passed (unanimous) - Motion to apply for tire abatement grant: Passed (unanimous)
What’s next: The county attorney will contact GDOT and the Department of Revenue for guidance on the airport fuel sales tax question; an Eastman Commons representative is expected at a future meeting to discuss clock placement at the courthouse. Tax bills are due Jan. 20, 2026.
