This is an informal rundown of the Bulloch County Board of Commissioners meeting on November 18, 2025.
Call to Order, Welcome Media & Visitors
Invocation & Pledge
Roll Call – Commissioner Ray Mosley participated via Zoom
Approval of General Agenda
Public Comment – No one signed up to speak
Consent Agenda
Commissioner Newkirk made a motion to move #5, #12, #13, and #14 to New Business for General Discussion.
The other items were approved unanimously.
- Minutes of Nove 4, 2025 5:30 PM meeting
- Approve Executive Sessiong minutes from November 4, 2025
- Approve the reappointment of Marion C Hulsey to the Bulloch County Board of Tax Assessors for 6 year term beginning January 1, 2026 and ending December 31, 2031
- Approve the reappointment of Theresa Jackson and William Matthew Daughtry to the Bulloch County Board of Elections and Registration for four-year terms commencing on January 1, 2026 and ending on December 31, 2029
- Approve the reappointment of Doug Lambert, Beth Matthews, and Tal Johnson to the Development Authority of Bulloch County to 4-year terms to serve terms beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2029
- Approve the purchase of 2026 Chevy Colorado from Alan Jay Fleet Sales in the amount of $33,660.15
- Motion to approve awarding Tree Removal Project at the airport to Georgia Forestry Mulching, LLC for $19,500
- Motion to approve Jarvis Software Agreement for Splash in the Boro Season Pass Sales
- Hamilton ventilator purchase
- Sapphire IV pump purchase
- To grant a 2026 alcoholic beverage renewal license for package retail beer and wine sales and pouring sales (beer/wine/liquor) to certain establishments with a current license.
- Approve a Resolution to Acquire by Eminent Domain Parcel 2A for the Hightower Road Paving Project
- Approve a Resolution to Acquire by Eminent Domain Parcel 4 for the Hightower Road Paving Project
- Approve a Resolution to Acquire by Eminent Domain Parcel 19 for the Hightower Road Paving Project
- Resolution to Provide for Temporary Tax Relief for Eligible Standing Timber
- Approve an Option and Lease Agreement with Skyway Towers, LLC
- Approve payment of an invoice from Excelsior Electrical Membership Corporation number 10292025-01 dated 29-OCT-2025 in the amount of $77,695.81 for utility relocation costs associated with Bulloch County’s active roadway drainage and paving project FY25-CP-E02 Two Chop Road & Banks Creek Church Road. The cost of this invoice will be funded by TSPLOST.
- Approve a Resolution for the Location of Capitol Improvement Project Old Happy Road Design & Paving that includes the paving of County Road 316 Old Happy Road. The cost for this work will be funded by TSPLOST.
- Ogeechee Technical College-GED Testing
New Business
#5 from the Consent Agenda –
Development Authority asked to reappoint the same individuals. Chairman Bennett stated he had asked that 2 of the individuals NOT be reappointed due to the length of time that they had served – Beth Matthews and Doug Lambert. After discussion with IDA Chair and Director, Bennett said they have projects going on that they would like the individuals to continue on with for now because they’re directly involved.
Matthews said when she is finished with the project she is working on, she will resign from the Board so someone else can be appointed.
Commissioner Nick Newkirk said he didn’t have an issue with any of the individuals, but the that the county commissioners don’t need the approval of the Development Authority members to appoint anyone in particular.
County Attorney Jeff Akins confirmed commissioners could appoint anyone they want to appoint.
Newkirk said he understands they have projects in the works, but if a Chairman asks for two or three names for a position, they should do that. “We are elected by the people to stand for the people and I have a big issue with that. It feels like it’s a slap in the face for the citizens of Bulloch County when they don’t do something that we politely ask for.”
The approval carried 6-1.
For items #12, #13, and #14 regarding Eminent Domain of parcels on Hightower Road for paving from the Consent Agenda, Commissioner Newkirk stated he just wanted clarification on why eminent domain was being used to acquire the land. For two of the parcels, there were issues with the title and on the third, the owner could not be contacted. Specifically, he wanted that to be clarified in public. County Engineer Ron Nelson said he would defer to the county attorney.
County Attorney Jeff Akins said that what Newkirk stated was correct.
Commissioner Toby Conner thanked Newkirk for pulling the agenda items off of the Consent Agenda to New Business because he didn’t want the image of the county to be they just use eminent domain as a regular practice in Bulloch County.
Commissioner Timmy Rushing said this had been going on for an extended period of time, “20 years, probably.”
#12 – Approved unanimously
#13 – Approved unanimously
#14 – Approved unanimously
1. Approve the reappointment of Timmy Rushing to the Development Authority of Bulloch County to 4-year terms to serve terms beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2029.
Commissioner Rushing recused himself from the discussion. Chairman Bennett asked him to move to the audience.
Rushing was initially appointed to serve the remainder of former Commissioner Curt Deal’s term on the Development Authority. This is the first full term as the representative of the Board for the County Commissioners.
Approved unanimously.
2. Resolution to Request Local Legislation to Change the Number of Members and the Method of Appointment of Members on the Bulloch County Board of Elections and Registration
At its meeting on November 10, 2025, the Bulloch County Board of Elections and Registration adopted a resolution requesting the Board of Commissioners to request local legislation in the General Assembly that would expand the Board of Elections from three to five members and change the method of appointment to allow the local parties to submit nominations for two of the seats. The presented resolution requests Bulloch County’s local legislative delegation in the General Assembly to sponsor and support such local legislation.
- The local political parties would each be allowed to submit up to five nominees for one seat no later than 90 calendar days preceding the date on which the member is to take office. However, the Commissioners would not be required to appoint one of the nominees if you determine that none of the nominees on the list are suitable for appointment to the Board of Elections.
- The two new members would be appointed for an initial term of one year commencing on January 1, 2027 and ending on December 31, 2027.
- Thereafter, they would be appointed for four-year terms.
- This would maintain the staggered terms for appointments with two members serving concurrent terms and three members serving concurrent terms.
Approved unanimously.
3. Motion to approve a Contract with Sikes Brothers, Incorporated, in the amount of $615,063.15 to perform the scope of work associated with FY26-CP-E07 OTC Connector Road. The cost for this work will be funded by 2019 SPLOST.
During its regular meeting 15-OCT-2024, the Bulloch County Board of Commissioners previously approved a request from Ogeechee Technical College for funding assistance in the amount of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) for road construction to be paid from the 2019 SPLOST funds (Refer to attached 15-OCT-2024 meeting agenda).
During its regular meeting 19-NOV-2024, the Board previously approved a Contract with EMC Engineering Services, Incorporated in the amount of Thirty-Eight Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($38,500.00) to perform professional engineering and design services for the construction of a connector road between Earl Dabbs Drive and US 301 South for access to the OTC ISIR Training Center, to be funded using 2019 SPLOST funds (Refer to attached 19-NOV-2024 meeting agenda).
Project FY26-CP-E07 OTC Connector Road consists of constructing a two-lane connector road between Earl Dabbs Drive and U.S. 301 South, extending a 6-FT X 5-FT double barrel reinforced concrete box culvert under US301, and constructing a right turn deceleration lane along US301 southbound within GDOT right-of-way under GDOT Permit A-031-012944-5. The project is located approximately 635 LF North of the A.J. Riggs Road intersection on U.S. 301 South in Statesboro, GA 30458. EMC Engineering Services, Incorporated completed the Issued for Construction Plans dated September 16, 2025.
The Engineering Office coordinated with the Procurement Manager to develop and follow the below procurement schedule. The Invitation-to-Bid was released 23-OCT-2025 and sealed bids were received and opened 06-NOV-2025.
| BID SCHEDULE | ||
| ACTIVITY | DATE | ACTION |
| Notice of Solicitation Issued | October 23, 2025 | Begin Procurement Period |
| Vendor’s Conference | N/A | N/A |
| Deadline to submit questions | October 31, 2025 11:00 AM EDT | County to receive all questions via email at Procurementeng@bullochcounty.net <mailto:Procurementeng@bullochcounty.net> |
| Deadline to answer questions and post addenda | November 3, 2025 5:00 PM EST | County to respond to all questions via Addenda posted to solicitation websites |
| Bid Submission Deadline and Bid Opening | November 6, 2025 3:30 PM EST | Submit one (1) original w/attachments & one (1) copy w/attachments: · Bulloch County Board of Commissioners 115 North Main Street Statesboro, Georgia 30458 Attn: Procurement Manager |
| Estimated Award Date | November 18, 2025 | Bulloch County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting 8:30 AM EST |
The below sealed bids were opened in Conference Room 227 located at 115 North Main Street on No 6-NOV-2025, at 3:30 PM for the OTC Connector Road Project.
| Bidder | Base Bid | Non-Collusion Affidavit & Bidder Declaration | 5% Bid Bond & Contractor E-verify Affidavit | Addendum #1 |
| Sikes Brothers, Inc. | $615,063.15 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| JA Long Inc. | $652,776.32 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Underground Excavating, Inc. | $701,199.00 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sims Paving & Construction, LLC | $736,224.70 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| All Star Concrete, Inc. | $754,642.31 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| McLendon Enterprises | $833,645.60 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Platinum Paving & Concrete, LLC | $872,883.50 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Reeves Construction Company | $883,461.21 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ellis Wood Contracting | $897,353.00 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Curb & Gutter Professionals, Inc. | $1,169,818.04 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Based upon the above tabulation of bids, the County Engineering Office recommends approval of the low-bid submitted by Sikes Brothers, Incorporated, in the amount of $615,063.15 to perform the scope of work associated with FY26-CP-E07 OTC Connector Road. The cost for this work will be funded from the 2019 SPLOST.
Approved unanimously.
4. Motion to approve a Change Order on Contract FY25-CP-E09 with EMC Engineering, Incorporated, in the amount of $72,500.00 to provide professional services associated with construction management and construction inspection during the construction delivery phase of FY26-CP-E07 OTC Connector Road from Earl Dabbs Drive to US301. The cost for this work will be funded by using 2019 SPLOST funds.
During its regular meeting 15-OCT-2024, the Bulloch County Board of Commissioners previously approved a request from Ogeechee Technical College for funding assistance in the amount of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) for road construction to be paid from the 2019 SPLOST funds (Refer to attached 15-OCT-2024 meeting agenda).
During its regular meeting 19-NOV-2024, the Board previously approved a Contract with EMC Engineering Services, Incorporated in the amount of Thirty-Eight Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($38,500.00) to perform professional engineering and design services for the construction of a connector road between Earl Dabbs Drive and US 301 South for access to the OTC ISIR Training Center, to be funded using 2019 SPLOST funds (Refer to attached 19-NOV-2024 meeting agenda).
Project FY26-CP-E07 OTC Connector Road consists of constructing a two-lane connector road between Earl Dabbs Drive and U.S. 301 South, extending a 6-FT X 5-FT double barrel reinforced concrete box culvert under US301, and constructing a right turn deceleration lane along US301 southbound within GDOT right-of-way under GDOT Permit A-031-012944-5. The project is located approximately 635-LF north of the A.J. Riggs Road intersection on U.S. 301 South. EMC Engineering Services, Incorporated completed the Issued for Construction Plans dated September 16, 2025.
Project FY26-CP-E07 OTC Connector Road from Earl Dabbs Drive to US301 will require 100% (fulltime) project management and construction inspection throughout its construction delivery phase. The construction phase is of this road construction project is the final stage of delivery fulfilling Bulloch County’s 15-OCT-2024 commitment to Ogeechee Technical College of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) in 2019 SPLOST funds. The construction delivery schedule for this project is one hundred eighty (180) consecutive calendar days from the County’s issuance of Notice-to-Proceed. The Engineering Office is not staffed to provide 100% (fulltime) project management and construction inspection that this construction project will demand throughout its construction delivery phase. The Engineering Office requested a fee proposal from EMC Engineering to provide 100% (fulltime) project management and construction inspection services throughout the construction delivery phase of this road construction project. EMC Engineering provided a fee proposal of $72,500.00 to provide professional services associated with project management and construction inspection (See attached proposal dated 02-NOV-2025). This fee proposal is not a lump sum cost, instead it is a budgeted amount based upon estimated time and will be billed using hourly rates. The Engineering Office recommends approval of the EMC Engineering fee proposal dated 02-NOV-2025 to provide professional services for project management and construction inspection during construction delivery of FY26-CP-E07 OTC Connector Road and also recommends adding this scope of work as Change Order #01 to the existing EMC Engineering Contract FY25-CP-E09. The cost for these professional services will be funded by using 2019 SPLOST funds.
Approved unanimously.
5. Motion to approve a Change Order on Contract FY25-CP-E10 with EMC Engineering, Incorporated, in the amount of $32,500.00 to provide professional services associated with construction management and construction inspection during the construction delivery phase of FY26-CP-E06 Register Fire Station #3 New Driveways and New Parking Facility. The cost for this work will be funded by TSPLOST.
During its regular meeting 07-NOV-2024, the Board previously approved a Contract with EMC Engineering Services, Incorporated, in the amount of Thirty-Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($32,500.00) to perform professional engineering and design services for project FY25-CP-E10 Register Fire Station #3 to provide new paved driveways and a new paved parking facility to be funded by TSPLOST (Refer to attached 07-NOV-2024 meeting agenda). EMC Engineering Services, Incorporated, completed the Issued for Construction (IFC) Plans 23-JUN-2025.
The Engineering Office procured construction services for FY26-CP-E06 Register Fire Station #3 New Driveways and New Parking Facility and, on 07-OCT-2025 during its regular meeting, the Board approved a Contract with Sims Paving & Construction, LLC for $313,829.30. The construction delivery schedule for this project is one hundred twenty (120) consecutive calendar days from the County’s issuance of Notice-to-Proceed. The IFC Plans require the new driveways and the parking facility to be constructed using steel reinforced portland cement concrete (PCC) materials. In fact, the new paved driveways and the new parking facility require the preparation and construction of approximately 1,500 square yards of steel reinforced PCC pavement. The preparation and construction of approximately 1,500 square yards of steel reinforced PCC pavement will require 100% (fulltime) project management and construction inspection throughout the construction delivery phase. Quality Control will be a top priority during construction delivery of Project FY26-CP-E06 Register Fire Station #3. The Engineering Office is not staffed to provide 100% (fulltime) project management and construction inspection in which this construction project will demand throughout the construction delivery phase. Therefore, the Engineering Office requested a fee proposal from EMC Engineering to provide 100% (fulltime) project management and construction inspection services throughout the construction delivery phase of this construction project. EMC Engineering, Incorporated, provided a fee proposal of $32,500.00 to provide professional services associated with project management and construction inspection (See attached proposal dated 02-NOV-2025). This fee proposal is not a lump sum cost, instead it is a budgeted amount based upon estimated time and will be billed using hourly rates. The Engineering Office recommends approval of the EMC Engineering fee proposal dated 02-NOV-2025 to provide professional services for project management and construction inspection during construction delivery of FY26-CP-E06 Register Fire Station #3 New Driveways and New Parking Facility and also recommends adding this scope of work as Change Order #01 to the existing EMC Engineering Contract FY25-CP-E10. The cost for these professional services will be funded by TSPLOST.
Approved unanimously.
6. Approve the Purchase of Two John Deere Tractors with Tiger Boom Mowers
Staff recommends and requests the consideration of a motion to purchase two (2) 2026 John Deere 6M 105 Tractors with Tiger Bengel Boom Mower units in the amount of $ 465,240.08 ($232.620.04 each) via Sourcewell Contract with Ag Pro Marietta. These will be purchased using funds from TSPLOST.
Approved unanimously.
7. Motion to Approve Purchase of 2026 Caterpillar Backhoe
Staff recommends and requests the consideration of a motion for the purchase of a 2026 Caterpillar 420 Backhoe Loader in the amount of $169,951.00 via Sourcewell contract to Yancey Brothers Company. The purchase will use TSPLOST funds.
Approved unanimously.
Department Reports
Adult Probation Departmental Monthly Activity Report
Finance Department Update and Financial Report for October 2025
911 Monthly Report for October 2025 – no report provided
BCCI Department Report October 2025
Emergency Management Department
During the month of October, the Emergency Management Department conducted a table-top hurricane exercise at the local skilled nursing facility to evaluate emergency preparedness, staff response, and resident evacuation procedures. The primary objective of this drill was to assess the facility’s hurricane readiness, including generator capability, internal communication, and coordination with EMS and Emergency Management. The exercise was successful in identifying areas for improvement, particularly in staff communication and transportation logistics.
Progress also continued on the Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) update. A stakeholder coordination meeting was held to review ongoing mitigation strategies, discuss updated risk assessment data, and confirm revisions to the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) with the Georgia Forestry Commission. Draft risk profiles and public outreach materials have been completed, and the department is continuing community engagement and agency coordination as part of the update process.
A meeting was also held with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to discuss a potential grant to help cover the expenses associated with the Metts Road project. The discussion focused on funding eligibility for infrastructure improvements, coordination between local departments for cost documentation, and submission of pre-application materials. The department plans to prepare supporting documentation for DCA review and submit the final grant application in early December 2025.
In addition, a joint meeting was conducted between Engineering, Public Works, and Emergency Management to review current infrastructure projects and community resilience efforts. Topics included FEMA public assistance funding, road and drainage improvements, and long-term mitigation opportunities related to recent storm impacts. Departments agreed to align future maintenance and infrastructure projects with mitigation priorities identified in the updated HMP.
FEMA and GEMA administrative documentation is approximately 90 percent complete. Closeout packages for several open Public Assistance projects are undergoing final review, and supporting cost documentation is being verified prior to submission.
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) applications were also submitted this month to support the purchase and installation of emergency generators and alert pendants for election facilities. This project aims to improve continuity of operations and communication capabilities during power outages and severe weather events. The grant includes backup power generation for critical election infrastructure and alert pendants designed to enhance safety and notification systems for staff and volunteers.
Overall, November was a productive month for the Emergency Management Department, marked by continued progress in preparedness, interagency coordination, and mitigation planning. The department remains focused on finalizing disaster recovery documentation, pursuing grant funding, and advancing local initiatives that strengthen community resilience and public safety.
GIS Monthly Report
View GIS Departmental summary for October 2025
Building and Facilities Monthly Report October 2025
Recreation & Parks Report
Monthly Narrative – October 2025
Project Task Report October FY 2026
Bulloch County Development Services Monthly Report
Public Works
EMS
Tax Assessor
Human Resources
Bulloch County Fire Department
Engineering Department
Airport
Coroner
Elections & Registration
Commission & Staff Comments
County Manager Chris Aldridge – Shared that there will be a contest every month for county employees doing a great thing around the county. Prize will be $100. Will also provide ‘content’ for Communications Director Dal Cannady.
Commissioner Ray Davis wanted to recognize Director Dee Crosby for his recent nomination to a state board for recreation.
Commissioner Toby Conner – said he was thankful for the county employees.
Watch the meeting:
