Call to Order
Invocation & Pledge
Roll Call
Approval of General Agenda
Public Comments
- Jessica Szilagyi addressed the county short falls following the GBI investigation earlier this year.
- Keith Hamilton addressed commissioners about the tax digest and budgetary concerns. Hamilton said he worked with county employees to determine how much of the digest increase was a result of increased appraisals and how much was due to new properties being added to the digest. He said about 60% of the digest growth came from existing properties while 40% was due to new residential properties. He also urged commissioners to avoid baseline budgeting in the next fiscal year, saying that it’s problematic to automatically give departments what they had before. “It needs to be on an as-needed basis,” he said.
He also asked county commissioners to look at the budget every year and contract county services, which have grown over the last 20-30 years. He urged commissioners to look into the Constitutional purpose of government and keep expenditures in some restraint. - Lenore Harden spoke on Banks Creek Church Road conditions. She thanked the county for the gravel strips that have been put in some places, but asked commissioners to consider expediting the process. She also asked them to consider allocated funds to include the project with the current paving project in the area, suggesting that there may be a cost savings by doing that.
- Roy Thompson – Thompson addressed commissioners about recordings contained within the GBI investigation case file. He specifically asked Commissioner Ray Davis about his claims that he [Thompson] and his company, Statesboro Floor Covering, were ‘on the take.’ Davis replied that that was information he was told and he if knew he was being recorded, he wouldn’t have said it, though he wouldn’t reveal his source. Thompson said he didn’t care about the specifics or the ‘source’, but wanted to know what it meant to be on the take. Davis replied that he didn’t know. Thompson then said he welcomed a forensic audit on Roy Thompson. “It troubled me deeply when he said we were on the take. We have never been bribed. I don’t want to see our tax dollars going out of Bulloch County.”
Consent Agenda
These items were voted on collectively, but #12, #13, and #15 were moved from the Consent Agenda to ‘New Business’ at the request of Commissioner Newkirk.
Minutes Approval – Tues. October 7, 2025
Approve Executive Session Minutes – Tues. October 7, 2025
Approve Installation of Underground Power Service for Corporate Hangars
The Airport Committee has recommended installing underground power service to the new corporate hangars. The cost is $25000 to be paid out of T-SPLOST. The funds are available and have been budgeted.
FY 2026 Motorola Radio Purchase
Bulloch EMS requested the purchase of radios for our new employees that will be hired to staff Station 6 in January of 2026. This is a sole source request via a Sourcewell contract. The purchase is for 5 Motorola APX 6000 radios with accessories and 41 Impress lithium ion batteries for existing APX portable radios. This is a budgeted item for Q2. Staff requested Board approval.
Motion to approve Bid from Rockstar Graphics for 2026 Basketball Season Uniforms
Recreation and Parks Athletics staff sent out bid requests for basketball jerseys and basketballs for the upcoming 2026 Youth Basketball season. They anticipated bids coming in under the $15,000 threshold. This is the first year bids received exceeded their preset budget.
After reviewing all bids, it is the recommendation of Ronnie Melton, Athletics Division Manager, to accept the low bid from Rockstar Graphics in the amount of $16,900 for the purchase of jerseys. We are requesting this due to initiating a new bid process would result in potential cost increase and delays in delivery.
This purchase is budgeted in FY26 budget.
Motion to Approve the Sole Source Purchase & Installation of a Playground at Fletcher Park
Recreation and Parks Department received appropriated funding this year for Fletcher Park to add new amenities to this park. One of these amenities was a playground. Quotes were requested from Playsouth Playground Creators and GameTime through Sourcewell. This would be for a playground that would be suitable for age groups 2-5 and age groups 5-12 within a designated area. We also asked for swings under a shade structure to be part of the design with the use of Engineered Wood Fibers (wood mulch) as the surfacing throughout the entire playground area. Playsouth Playground Creators submitted a quote that meets the criteria with better pricing than GameTime.
Tony Morgan, Recreation Assistant Director, requests approval of the purchase and installation of a playground at Fletcher Park using Playsouth Playground Creators and purchasing through Sourcewell for a total of $248,302.36.
Will be purchased using SPLOST funding (Project Park 18)
Motion to Approve Painting & Refurbishing of the Trio Slide Project at Splash in the Boro
Splash in the Boro Family Waterpark & Aquatics Center is requesting painting and refurbishing of our Trio Slide. The paint that is currently on our Trio Slide is original to the structure, which was installed and put into use in 2004. The paint job is now 21 years old. The original paint only had a life expectancy of 6-8 years. Splash in the Boro maintenance staff completes a yearly wash, wax, buff, and polish for proper maintenance. The slide is now showing fiberglass through the original paint and degrading on the slide surface – making it unsafe. The slide is in need of a gel coat paint job, which requires a certified painter to purchase and apply this product.
Three bids were received for this project. After reviewing all, it is the recommendation of Alex Estrada, Aquatics Division Manager, to approve the low bid from Slide Renu Service, LLC in the amount of $138,916. Their warranty is clear and includes a definite explanation of the warranty.
This project is scheduled in the FY26 CIP budget.
Motion to Approve the Purchase of One 2026 F150 Super Cab from Allan Vigil Ford Lincoln Government Sales in the amount of $47,657.46
Bulloch County Animal Services was approved for the purchase of a vehicle in the FY26 SPLOST Budget. The vehicle is being requested to be purchased from Allan Vigil Ford-Lincoln Government Sales through the State of Georgia vehicle contracts.
Motion to Approve the purchase of one 2026 Dodge Durango, AWD Police Pursuit Vehicle from Alan Jay Fleet Sales in the amount of $41,398
Bulloch County Fire Department was approved for the purchase of a vehicle in the FY26 SPLOST Budget. The vehicle is being requested to be purchased from Alan Jay Fleet Sales through a Sourcewell cooperative purchasing agreement contract. Approval is recommended.
Motion to Approve the purchase of one 2026 Ford F50 from Allan Vigil Ford-Lincoln Government Sales in the amount of $54,363.69
Bulloch County Recreation Parks & Grounds Department was approved for the purchase of a vehicle in the FY26 SPLOST Budget. The vehicle is being requested to be purchased from Allan Vigil Ford-Lincoln Government Sales through the State of Georgia vehicle contracts. Approval is recommended.
Motion to Approve the purchase of one 2026 Ford Explorer 4×2 RWD from Allan Vigil Ford-Lincoln Government Sales in the amount of $40,475.07
Bulloch County Recreation Administration was approved for the purchase of a vehicle in the FY26 SPLOST Budget. The vehicle is being requested to be purchased from Allan Vigil Ford-Lincoln Government Sales through the State of Georgia vehicle contracts. Approval is recommended.
#12 — Motion to Approve the purchase of two vehicles for Building & Facilities department in the amount of $107,921.60
Building & Facilities department is approved for the replacement purchase of two vehicles in the FYE26 SPLOST Budget. These vehicles are being purchased from Alan Jay Fleet Sales through state contract pricing. Approval is recommended.
#13 — Motion to approve the purchase of one 2026 Chrysler Pacifica FWD in the amount of $49,673.00 and one 2026 Chevy Express Passenger 3500 RWD from Alan Jay Fleet Sales Georgia State Vehicle Contract in the amount of $58,225.95 for a total of $107,898.95.
Bulloch County Correctional Institute is approved for the purchase of two vans in the FY26 SPLOST Budget. The vehicles are being requested to be purchased from Alan Jay Fleet Sales through the State of Georgia vehicle contract.
Motion to grant a 2026 alcoholic beverage renewal license for package retail beer and wine sales to certain establishments with a current 2025 license.
#15 — Motion to approve a Resolution for the Location of Capitol Improvement Project No. FY25-CP-E05 Roadway Design Batch 1 that includes the paving of County Road 351 Grimshaw Road, County Road 1386 Grimshaw Lane, County Road 248 Prather Road, County Road 516 Floyd Clark Road, County Road 874 Deer Run Road, County Road 875 Deer Run Lane, and County Road 873 Deer Run Court. The cost for this work will be funded by TSPLOST.
This is to request approval of a Resolution for the Location of Capitol Improvement Project No. FY25-CP-E05 Roadway Design Batch 1 that includes the paving of County Road 351 Grimshaw Road, County Road 1386 Grimshaw Lane, County Road 248 Prather Road, County Road 516 Floyd Clark Road, County Road 874 Deer Run Road, County Road 875 Deer Run Lane, and County Road 873 Deer Run Court. If approved by the Bulloch County Board of Commissioners, a Publication of Notice will be published in the legal advertisements of the Statesboro Herald once a week for four consecutive weeks within 30 days of the effective date of this resolution. The Bulloch County Engineering Office recommends approval of this Resolution. This cost for this work will be funded by TSPLOST.
New Business
#12 — Motion to Approve the purchase of two vehicles for Building & Facilities department in the amount of $107,921.60
Staff shared that the vehicles would be used to haul supplies and would include a cap to secure items from theft. Commissioner Newkirk made a motion to approved, seconded by Conner, approved 6-0.
#13 – Motion to approve the purchase of one 2026 Chrysler Pacifica FWD in the amount of $49,673.00 and one 2026 Chevy Express Passenger 3500 RWD from Alan Jay Fleet Sales Georgia State Vehicle Contract in the amount of $58,225.95 for a total of $107,898.95.
County staff shared that these would be for inmate transport vans – one of which would be a mini van. Warden Toole was asked why a minivan over a 15-passenger van. Tole replied that there are a lot of local runs to dental officers and eye offices and it makes more sense to have a minivan. He also shared that it is easier to maneuver the minivan in parking lots around town.
Approved unanimously.
#15 – Motion to approve a Resolution for the Location of Capitol Improvement Project No. FY25-CP-E05 Roadway Design Batch 1 that includes the paving of County Road 351 Grimshaw Road, County Road 1386 Grimshaw Lane, County Road 248 Prather Road, County Road 516 Floyd Clark Road, County Road 874 Deer Run Road, County Road 875 Deer Run Lane, and County Road 873 Deer Run Court. The cost for this work will be funded by TSPLOST.
Commissioner Newkirk asked for clarification on this item as it was the first time he was voting on a resolution like this. County Attorney Jeff Akins shared that it was ‘checking a box’ in case there has to be a condemnation at some point in the process.
Commissioner Ray Davis recused himself due to his property ownership on Prather Road.
It was approved 5-0.
Commission & Staff Comments
There were no staff comments.
Commissioner Toby Conner thanked Roy Thompson for appearing before the Board and said he “served the county well and paid dearly for it” before saying Thompson was one of the ‘greatest men to walk the face of Bulloch County.’
Commissioner Simmons echoed Conner’s statements.
Commissioner Rushing said he was sorry for what Thompson had been through the last 6-8 months and said the Thompson family would still be having their light show this year.
Commissioner Mosley thanked Thompson for all he’s done and continues to do because he hasn’t stop just because he left the commissioner’s office.
Chairman Bennett offered condolences for the loss of his wife and said Thompson had shared some insights with him last December that people don’t appreciate until they’re in office. “People don’t understand the demands of the office,” he said.
Executive Session – Pending Litigation
Upon returning from executive session, commissioners voted 4-2 to engage a law firm to represent the county in the pending litigation brought by Samuel Lovett. Lovett is a appealing a zoning decision. Commissioners Rushing and Simmons were the ‘NO’ votes.
Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 9:24 a.m.
