At their Monday, July 1, 2024, Tattnall County Commissioners’ meeting, the officials voted to pursue the preparation of a Land Use and Development Study through the assistance of the Heart of Georgia Altamaha Regional Commission (HOGARC) at a cost of $15,000 for their services. This move forward with the hosting of public hearings for input from citizens and the development of ordinances related to land use in the county comes at an opportune time, especially with the moratorium in Tattnall on Tiny Houses extended until the end of 2024.
Another agenda item was presented by Human Relations/Public Relations Administrator Angel Melton on the 2024 Safety Grant given to the County by the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) each year, which was increased from $4000 to $6000 this year. The grant is based on the County meeting their safety requirements, such as holding department safety meetings and at least one employee going to the Safety Coordinator training annually.
With this grant, the commissioners approved the purchase of four AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) for the County Courthouse, Judicial Annex, Board of Elections, and County Extension Office. In addition, three wall cabinets and three infant/child SMART pads will be purchased.
The low bid of $5738.37 for these items was awarded to the EMS Superstore, with one other bid submitted by QuadMed, Inc., of $6556.
Melton added that she is looking into re-certifying the current AED in the Judicial Annex with plans to place it at the Road Department.
A request from Road Superintendent Lynn Cribbs was approved for an Extended Protection for the county’s 2019 Caterpillar Motor Grader for Powertrain and Hydraulics, parts and labor, for 24 months/2000 hours for $11,400.
Tattnall County 4-H has LATCF (Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund) monies available for purchase of a much needed van for transporting 4-H members to camps and various competitions. Bids for a 15-passenger 2024 Transit Van XL van were received from Swainsboro Ford for $55,585; Woody Folsom, $57,119; J.C. Lewis Ford, $58,728; and Vidalia Ford, $59,815.
LATCF is a general revenue enhancement program that provides additional assistance to eligible Tribal governments, eligible revenue sharing counties, and eligible revenue sharing consolidated governments.
Even though it was mentioned that Woody Folsom had a van in stock, questions arose if this was a new van or a rental van on which the price had been quoted. However, to order a new van, projections on receiving it varied from three months to a year. The Board approved the purchase of a van with negotiations by the commissioners to lower the price and to determine if the van in question on the lot is a new van or rental.
Three FY25 Budget Workshops were approved to be held on July 15, July 22, and July 29, all a 9 a.m. in the commissioners’ meeting room of the second floor of the Courthouse.
Another agenda item was mention of the Annual Wiregrass Festival on Saturday, September 21, 2024, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., to include food trucks, music, local talent, kid zone, crafts, and craft classes. A 5K run will be held at 8 a.m. on that day. Location is 108 W. Brazell Street, and Commissioners approved the use of the Courthouse Square for the event.
Two outfall ditches easements were approved, one from Jon Dylan Smith and Linda and Glen Curry.
The County offices will be closed July 4 and 5 for the July 4th holiday. The next regular commissioners’ meeting will be held on Monday, August 5, at 9 a.m. in the commissioners’ meeting room on the second floor of the courthouse.
