RUNDOWN: Bulloch County Commission Meeting – 11/04/25

This is an informal rundown of the November 4, 2025 Bulloch County Board of Commissioners meeting.

Call to Order
Invocation + Pledge
Roll Call

Presentations

1. Veterans Day Proclamation – Larry Shatteen, VFW Post 10825 Commander and Bobby Godwin American Legion Post 90 Commander
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2. Hospital Authority of Bulloch County Annual Report – Patricia Hunter – Vice Chairman Hospital Authority of Bulloch County
   • Provided a packet to commissioners which included the annual report but was not provided in the commission packet ahead of the meeting
   • In 29 years, $39,215,000 has been returned to the county for ‘property tax relief’ as part of the intergovernmental agreement (IGA) established when the hospital sold
     • 80% of the hospital earnings are returned to the county
     • 10% are given to other entities for healthcare grants (~$4.9 million)
     • 10% to grow/operations of hospital (~$4.9 million)
     • $1.8 million given to county last week – the largest check presented since financial cross of 202
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Approval of Zoning Agenda

1. Zoning Ordinance Change
   • Bulloch County has submitted a text amendment application requesting to modify text within the Bulloch County Code of Ordinance Appendix C to include modifications to 202 Definitions, 802 Commercial and Industrial Principle Uses to include Microbrewery and Brewpub, 1404 Accessory Dwellings, 1414 Church or Place of Worship, 1426 Home Occupation- Residential, 1439 Planned Residential Developments with single-family and for two-family dwellings, including mixed-use residential developments, 1453 Go Cart, ATV, and Motorbike Track and Trails, 1454 Microbrewery and Brewpub, and 1455 Conservation Subdivisions.

Review the proposed changes.

A motion was made to table the changes until December 2. The motion passed 6-0.

Approval of General Agenda

Agenda was approved unanimously without any changes.

Public Comment

1. Norman Tillman – Discussed the Savage Trails park and asked the Commissioners to work with the members of Savage Trails to resolve the issue and re-open the park under the 2022 zoning parameters. He said the park is one of the most well-maintained and responsible recreational vehicle parks in the region.

Consent Agenda

This agenda item was voted on unanimously in 6-0 vote.

1. Minutes of October 21, 2025 8:30 A.M.
2. Approve Executive Session Minutes from Tuesday, October 21, 2025
3. Approval of Pitney Bowes Equipment Lease Renewal
   • Two leased postage machines, located at the North Main Annex and Tax Commissioner’s Office, have been decertified by the United States Postal Service due to their use of discontinued technology. Because of this technology change, Pitney Bowes is offering an opportunity to renew our leases early and exchange the non-compliant meters for new equipment that utilizes USPS compliant technology. In all other aspects, the new meters are comparable to the current meters. The current leases are four years into a five year agreement.
   • The new leases are for sixty months subject to annual appropriations. The total quarterly payment for both machines will be $4,079.59. This is a cost increase from the current leases, which is due to inflation and higher cost of equipment from 2021 until now. The lease payments are budgeted expenditures for the Finance Department and Tax Commissioner’s Office.
4. Approve an Engagement Letter with Lanier, Deal, & Deal Certified Public Accountants
   The time has come for the annual financial statement audit.  Staff would like to continue the engagement with Lanier, Deal, & Deal, CPA Firm for the FY 2025 audit.  The engagement will conclude in December with the issuance of the annual audit report.  The firm’s costs will not exceed $62,000, which includes a Single Audit of Federal Awards. This amount was anticipated in the preparation of the FY 2026 budget and funds were appropriated. 
5. Motion to Approve Quote for Brick Paver Replacement at Mill Creek 5-field Complex from Quality Concrete Finishing, LLC
   • The Brick Paver Replacement Project at Mill Creek Park 5 Field Complex was approved in the FY26 Capital Budget (Project ID RD24).  The main component of the Brick Paver Replacement project is the paver replacement.  The current paver areas at the Mill Creek Park 5 Field Complex are a severe safety concern in the form of tripping hazards.  Repairs have been made by staff over the years, but this has always proved to be a temporary fix, and the same hazards occur time and time again.  The most cost effective and safest solution is replacement with stamped concrete. 
   • Quotes were split up into four separate quotes (breakdown listed on attached narrative) and were requested from 9 vendors. Quality Concrete Finishing, LLC, was the only company to submit a quote. Due to the amount budgeted for this project, Parks Division Manager Cannon Petitjean recommends accepting Quote 1 $97,050.50 and Quote 2 $52,949.50 for a total of $150,000.00.  This will complete all paver issues within the park.
   • Time is of the essence with this project as we must have everything completed by February 1, 2026.  Our baseball evaluations and practices will begin in February, and we need to have this project complete well before then.  Since this falls under the guidelines of the Public Works Construction, Mr. Petitjean asks that we accept the quote of $150,000.00 from Quality Concrete Finishing LLC to remove 1493 sq ft and install 1493 sq ft of concrete and 9234 sq ft of stamped concrete.
     
6. Motion to approve an amendment to the budgets for Fiscal Year 2025 by appropriating amounts in each fund for various activities.
   • Staff is requesting a final budget amendment to appropriate monies needed for various operational and capital activities which were needed to complete organization objectives. Adjustments are necessary to modify budgets at the legal level of control per OCGA Chapter 36, as only the Commission has the authority to change spending levels.
   • Document from Finance Department
   • Resolution with spreadsheet

7. Approve the purchase and installation of a security camera system from FEMAC and Georgia Technologies in the total amount of $65,233.00

The Bulloch County Correctional Institute (BCCI) requests the purchase and installation of a new, modern security camera system to address possible deficiencies in safety, security, and accountability.

The Critical Need for an Upgrade

• The current DVR-based camera system is obsolete and poses significant operational and liability risks. It is no longer a sustainable solution due to:
  • Limited Storage and Retrieval: The reliance on DVRs severely limits video storage capacity and makes the quick, comprehensive retrieval of critical incident footage difficult and unreliable. In a correctional environment, the inability to quickly archive and access high-quality video evidence can compromise investigations into inmate misconduct, staff complaints, or incidents of violence, increasing institutional liability.
  • Technological Obsolescence: The older DVR technology is increasingly difficult and costly to maintain, repair, and replace, as new technology has advanced to more efficient digital platforms. This creates a risk of system failure and security blind spots.
  • Poor Video Quality: Outdated systems often lack the high-definition clarity of modern cameras, hindering the ability to clearly identify individuals, contraband, or the nuances of an altercation, which is essential for successful prosecution and upholding transparency.
• Enhanced Safety, Security, and Accountability
  • The proposed new system, which operates with Cloud-based storage, will provide substantial operational and security enhancements that directly support the institution’s core mission:
  • Expanded and Reliable Storage: Cloud storage offers virtually unlimited and secure capacity, eliminating the risk of losing vital footage due to technical or storage limitations. This improved retention is crucial for meeting long-term evidentiary requirements in legal proceedings, including civil liability and accountability matters like those related to the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA).
    • Deterrence and Proactive Monitoring: High-resolution cameras with expanded coverage act as a stronger deterrent to inmate misconduct, illicit activities (like drug smuggling), and assaults on both staff and other inmates.
    • Enhanced Accountability and Transparency: High-quality, easily accessible digital footage provides an unimpeachable record of all activities, protecting staff against false accusations and holding all parties accountable for their actions. This improved transparency is a cornerstone of professional corrections management.
• Funding Strategy – The capital cost for the purchase and installation of this critical security upgrade will be covered by SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) funds.  The ongoing licensing agreement and operational costs for the new system will be sustainably funded through revenue generated by the Inmate Telephone System, dedicating institutional income back into enhancing the security and function of the facility.

New Business

1. Approve a Resolution Approving the Issuance of the Public Finance Authority Revenue Bonds (Health Systems Real Estate, Inc. Projects)

Commission & Staff Comments

Executive Session – Personnel

Adjourn