CHARLTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 6/19/25
Charlton County Board of Commissioners met June 19, 2025, approving several infrastructure and administrative purchases and contracts, tabling review of an amended agreement with The GEO Group, and hearing public comment both for and against a proposed ICE processing facility expansion.
Discussion Points
•ADA compliance by adding automatic door openers to annex renovation
•Allegations the ICE facility in Folkston failed to meet federal medical-care standards in 2022 and was cited with violations
•A local resident voiced support for the facility
•Concerns about previously owed administrative fees under the GEO Group/ICE contract; counsel advised tabling until reviewed
•County to continue senior nutrition services via South Georgia Regional Commission
•Guard rail replacement after a vehicle accident on Newell Road; single responsive bid received
•Need for additional pickleball courts in St. George; community demand and relocation of batting cages
•Spring Lake drainage issues requiring new culvert pipes
•TCP workforce-management agreement should be annual and contingent on funding
Decisions
•Multiple purchases and contracts authorized by unanimous vote; GEO Group amendment tabled; financial report adopted
•No formal action taken on the ICE facility expansion during this meeting
Directions
•Acting County Administrator Harden to find funding for TCP agreement and to execute annual contract once funding is identified
•County Attorney to review previously owed funds and report back on GEO Group amendment
•Facilities to follow up on front entrance door rattling after Gordian work
CHARLTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 6/5/25
The Charlton County Board of Commissioners on June 5, 2025, unanimously approved a series of motions including a resolution to levy an ad valorem tax to back school district bonds, multiple facility and infrastructure contracts, and authorized the county administrator to execute several agreements; the board also heard public comments about Bethune Gym and discussed auditorium repair needs.
Discussion Points
•Board discussed using SPLOST funds to repay school bonds and acknowledged ad valorem tax as fallback.
•Commissioners raised concerns about ensuring tourism promotion funds represent all of Charlton County.
•Public comments raised facility-accessibility and HVAC issues at Bethune Gym; commissioners discussed auditorium roof and repair estimates (~$230,000).
Decisions
•All motions on the June 5 agenda passed unanimously; July 3 meeting cancelled; Rebecca Harden appointed acting county administrator for June 16–23, 2025.
Directions
•County Administrator to execute agreements as authorized when legally able and to confirm warranty status on Sheriff's Office roof before finalization.
•Proceed with procurement and planning tasks (roof replacement, culvert installation, recreation equipment) with follow-up reporting.
•Tourism deliverables to be amended before reallocating $5,000.
CHARLTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WORKSHOP MINUTES 6/5/25
Charlton County commissioners met in a June 5, 2025 workshop to discuss restarting a county-run youth recreational football program, including a funding request and program logistics; the board entered and exited an executive session on a legal matter with no action, and the meeting adjourned at 5:44 p.m.
Discussion Points
•Community interest and department growth have prompted requests to restart recreational football; the high school approved field use; equipment quotes were based on 100 participants; a social media survey found over 90 people interested.
•Program logistics discussed included team sizes (15\u00020 players estimated by staff; Commissioner Crews suggested planning for 25), registration fee ($55), registration window (immediately through August), coach recruitment and mandatory background checks, and equipment sizing informed by neighboring programs.
Decisions
•No formal funding decision was made at the workshop; the administrator's authorization recommendation will be considered at the regular meeting. The board entered executive session on a legal matter and took no action.
Directions
•County Administrator Hull recommended the board authorize up to $20,000 at the next regular meeting to purchase equipment for the program.
CHARLTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PLANNING RETREAT MINUTES 5/17/25
Charlton County Board of Commissioners held a planning retreat in Folkston on May 17, 2025, facilitated by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government. Commissioners identified strategic priorities including organizational development, capital improvement, communication, community enhancement, emergency management, infrastructure and economic development and assigned follow-up tasks.
Discussion Points
•Commissioners listed priorities: organization development; capital improvement; communication; community enhancement; emergency management; infrastructure; economic development.
•Facilitator presented compiled responses and led visioning discussion under 'What kind of Charlton do we want?'
•Retreat priorities and follow-up assignments were reviewed before adjournment.
Decisions
•Motion to adjourn carried unanimously; no formal policy decisions were recorded.
•No formal policy votes were taken; the retreat resulted in assigned follow-up tasks rather than binding actions.
Directions
•Alicia Vaughn (Association of County Commissioners of Georgia) to schedule a follow-up meeting to discuss priorities and next steps.
•County Administrator Glenn Hull to review the county's vision and mission statement.
•Facilitator to compile responses; ACCG to set follow-up meeting; County Administrator to review vision and mission.
•Walt McBride to combine commissioners' responses and send consolidated notes to the county.
CHARLTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PLANNING RETREAT MINUTES 5/16/25
Charlton County Board of Commissioners held a planning retreat in Folkston on May 16, 2025, where commissioners and outside advisors reviewed results of an Emergenetics survey. The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. and adjourned to reconvene at 8:30 a.m. on May 17, 2025.
Discussion Points
•A presentation and discussion of the Emergenetics survey and its results was conducted (presenter not specified).
•Attendance included elected commissioners and county staff as well as outside consultants.
Decisions
•Motion to adjourn until 8:30 a.m. on May 17, 2025, carried unanimously.
CHARLTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 5/15/25
Charlton County Board of Commissioners held its regular meeting May 15, 2025 in Folkston. The board heard a public hearing on the 2025 Charlton County comprehensive plan and voted to transmit the plan to the State; approved several procurement items including culvert purchases and a road-ash disposal agreement; and discussed an inter-county EMA agreement after the EMA director said he had been excluded from earlier comment.
Discussion Points
•Administrator Hull presented a draft interlocal agreement with Camden County for EMA enhancement
•Board discussed mutual aid, mitigation plans and the state of the county\u0002s EMA department
•Director Harden confirmed financial report and noted wellness coach retirement and replacement plans
•Director Pollock described culvert needs and the road-ash removal process and thickness (up to 10 inches)
•EMA Director Bruce Young stated he had been previously excluded from commenting and raised concerns about being heard
•Goals from the 2020 comprehensive plan and how they relate to the 2025 update
•How stakeholder meetings informed the 2025 plan and how the county can revise the plan after state review
Decisions
•Board voted unanimously to approve the culvert purchase, Waste Management agreement (up to $50,000, amend price to exclude taxes), wellness services renewal and to adopt April 2025 financial report.
•Board voted unanimously to authorize transmission of the 2025 comprehensive plan to the State of Georgia for review.
•No formal decision or vote recorded; item to return for further action
Directions
•Administrator Hull requested board support to proceed with reviewing the draft agreement
•Authorize South Georgia Regional Commission to transmit the plan to the State for review
•County Administrator authorized to execute contracts with amendments (e.g., exclude taxes) and to coordinate implementation with department directors
•Board discussed current EMA capabilities, mutual aid agreements, disaster and hazard mitigation plans.
•Commissioner Jones asked about a radio tower in Georgia Bend; Hull said county records show no purchase and that he is negotiating with an electrical co-op.
•County Attorney John Adams expressed support for allowing the station on county property.
•Director Bruce Young said he was not provided adequate opportunity to comment and requested that his input be solicited.
•Hull presented a draft agreement with Camden County for EMA enhancement (support, planning, professional development, mutual aid).
•Hull presented a draft resolution to adopt a formal ordinance-adoption policy and noted the current ordinance process would need to be repealed or amended.
•Hull reported that departments must submit prior SPLOST project information by May 31 and that the Georgia Bend Fire Station development will be handled internally under purchasing policy.
•Hull said he would present a resolution at the next meeting to appoint Rebecca Harden as acting county administrator during his upcoming out-of-country absence.
•Sheriff Phillips said Heart 2 Heart will place a donor-funded battery-operated microchip scanning station at the sheriff\u0002s office; the nonprofit will provide equipment and signage and asked for a post from the road department.
•Supervisor of Elections Will Nance reminded the board personal financial statements are due July 1 and asked about readiness of forms.
Directions
•Board to allow further review and discussion with EMA director and staff before proceeding.
•County Administrator requested board support to proceed pending staff input.
•County Administrator to prepare the ordinance-adoption resolution for board consideration and to present the acting administrator resolution at the next meeting.
•County staff to provide a road post if practicable and follow any necessary permissions for placement of the scanning station.
•Departments to provide SPLOST project information by May 31.
•Staff to follow county purchasing policy in developing the Georgia Bend Fire Station project.
CHARLTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 5/1/2025
The Charlton County Board of Commissioners met May 1, 2025 in Folkston. The board held a first public reading of a proposed animal ordinance, approved several alleyway-abandonment actions including abandoning a prescriptive easement on Wolfgang Alley, reappointed a regional aging-council representative, and waived reservation fees for a job fair; staff previewed a draft comprehensive plan and SPLOST ideas.
Discussion Points
•Commissioner Jones requested a county-wide alleyway study
•County Attorney advised deferring expansion of scope
•Draft comprehensive plan and SPLOST ideas to be presented at next meeting
•Need to clarify several terms in the draft ordinance as recommended by Heart 2 Heart Humane Society
•Pending bids for sheriff's roof and final scope for Georgia Bend Fire Station expected May 5
•Recent building activity without permits and enforcement actions discussed
•Sheriff Phillips has consulted a judge to assess enforceability
•Two petitions requested alleyway abandonment
•Wolfgang Alley easement abandonment is an even exchange for a right-of-way on Summerall Lane with no funds exchanged
Decisions
•Abandon prescriptive easement on Wolfgang Alley approved; two petitioned abandonment processes authorized
•Public hearing opened and closed; no adoption vote taken
•Reappointment approved; reservation fees waived; administrative items scheduled for follow-up
Directions
•County Administrator to bring draft comprehensive plan and SPLOST ideas to next meeting; Public Works/Building Inspector to continue enforcement and report back
•Proceed with formal abandonment processes and confirm boundaries
•Public Works to prepare required documentation and report back
•Staff and counsel to review suggested clarifications and return to the board if amendments are proposed
CHARLTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 3/6/2025
The Charlton County Board of Commissioners met March 6, 2025 in Folkston. The board approved an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Folkston for municipal election services, authorized the county administrator to execute a contract with Juvare for Crisis Track after an attorney review was requested, adopted a retirement resolution for a library employee, heard a 4‑H student presentation, and received a range of administrator updates on local projects and events.
Discussion Points
•City manager and county attorney confirmed city assent; no additional implementation details were provided.
•Commissioner Crews stated his motion stood pending attorney review and approval.
•Commissioner Jones suggested pursuing DNR grants for the boat ramp upgrades.
•Hull described Crisis Track capabilities and stated no implementation cost; Jones and Gowen raised concerns about unknown additional costs and asked to see the agreement; County Attorney Adams had not seen the master agreement.
•Recognition of Barbara Parker; 4‑H event announcement and student presentation; administrator updates on Development Authority compliance, boat ramp upgrades, adult education space, annex repairs, POW‑WOW requests, and trash pickup.
Decisions
•Adopt retirement resolution; note administrator follow‑ups on facility and program requests.
•Authorize county administrator to execute agreement with Juvare, pending County Attorney review/approval.
•Authorize execution of intergovernmental agreement with City of Folkston for municipal election services.
Directions
•County Administrator authorized to execute agreement.
•County Administrator to pursue grant opportunities and continue facility repairs and coordination with Coastal Pines Technical College.
•County Attorney to review the master agreement before final contract execution.
CHARLTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 2/20/2025
Charlton County Board of Commissioners met Feb. 20, 2025, heard two committee/presentation reports, adopted several resolutions and routine items, and tabled an easement agreement after drainage concerns were raised.
Discussion Points
•Commissioner Jones raised trash/litter concerns and sought interagency collaboration.
•River committee recommendations on land use, water quality and quantity, regulation, and partnerships (presented by Merrill Varn).
•Whether abandonment of the prescriptive easement on Wolfgang Alley would exacerbate drainage and access problems (raised by Steven Lloyd).
•Whether the county should secure a drainage easement in addition to or instead of the proposed easement for Summerall Lane.
•Whether the county should wait for the state House action before adopting a local resolution (asked by Commissioner Gowen).
Decisions
•Adopted the local resolution to provide supplements for retired judges and surviving spouses.
•Approval of the easement was tabled pending engineering review.
•No formal action taken; items were informational.
Directions
•Director Ronnie Pollock to inspect the site with resident Steven Lloyd and County engineers to design a drainage solution.
CHARLTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 2/6/2025
At its Feb. 6, 2025 regular meeting, the Charlton County Board of Commissioners approved several contracts and purchases, authorized a $292,296.71 exterior renovation for the annex funded from reserves, agreed to use a nonprofit to apply for a wildfire-defense grant, and tabled an animal ordinance for 90 days at the sheriff's request.
Discussion Points
•Board agreed to use a nonprofit to apply on the county's behalf.
•Chief Lewis confirmed the radios are like existing models and said a pending grant could reimburse half the cost.
•Commissioner Crews said he could not support an ordinance the sheriff could not enforce.
•Commissioner Gowen urged conserving reserves; Commissioner Crews favored completing repairs now for cost-effectiveness.
•Commissioners asked about deadlines and award timing.
•English described CWDG eligibility and timelines.
•Heart 2 Heart advocated hiring a dedicated animal-control officer rather than relying on deputies.
•Hull has not yet received interior repair quotes and will evaluate staffing needs before interior work.
•Hull presented draft ordinance combining new Sections 6.22–6.25 with existing code.
•Hull said training agreement would halve overtime costs and comply with Department of Labor standards.
•Powell presented exterior-only quotes from Gordian and options to repair in phases or all at once.
•Road Department recommended surplusing the grader at auction.
•Sheriff Phillips raised concerns about animal identification and deputy staffing for enforcement.
Decisions
•Authorize nonprofit to apply for CWDG.
•Motion to table the animal ordinance for 90 days carried unanimously.
•Multiple procurement and contract authorizations passed unanimously.
•Option #3 approved and funded from Reserves.
Directions
•County Administrator Hull to work with Sheriff Phillips and stakeholders to prepare a revised ordinance for the retreat or after 90 days.
•County Administrator to coordinate with a nonprofit to submit the application by Feb. 28.
•Proceed with Option #3 exterior repairs funded from Reserves; staff to obtain interior quotes and report back.
•Staff to execute contracts, pursue grant reimbursement if awarded, and prepare the grader for auction.
