An informal rundown of what happened at the Bulloch County Board of Commissioners meeting.
Call to Order
Invocation & Pledge
Roll Call – All Commissioners present
Approval of General Agenda
Public Comments
Candace Bodkin – Institute of Vibrant & Engaged Communities (Becky Sanders from Visit Statesboro! & Jeremy Wilburn from Chamber of Commerce) – Signed up to discuss Statesboro’s nomination
Consent Agenda
These items were voted on collectively. 6-0
Minutes from June 3, 2025 meeting
Resolution to Approve ACCG IRMA Property & Liability Insurance Proposal for 2025/2026
The resolution approves the renewal of property and liability coverage through ACCG-IRMA, as quoted in the proposal attached. The premium (price) for the 2025/2026 coverage will be $1,137,507 with liability limits of $2,000,000 ($1,000,000 for automobile liability).
Bulloch County’s new premium is $198,499 (or about 17.45%) higher than last year’s cost of $939,008. Much of this increase stems from ACCG’s overall rate increase of 5%, due to several factors, including inflationary changes, insurance market conditions, and overall member claims experience. These factors have increased the price for all ACCG-IRMA member entities, not just for Bulloch County. The balance of the price increase is related to factors specific to Bulloch County, including increases in property values, number of vehicles, number of personnel, and payroll.
After evaluating all factors, the staff recommends that Bulloch County renew this coverage with expiring deductibles and limits, at the cost of $be $1,137,507. It is important to note that the final price was reduced by a safety discount (more than $55,000).
Approval of the resolution is recommended by staff.
Approve a Resolution approving a 2025/2026 Renewal Proposal from Companion Life Insurance to Provide Stop-Loss Insurance for Employee Health Plan
The resolution authorizes the renewal of medical stop-loss insurance coverage from Companion Life Insurance Company, with pricing and terms as outlined in the attached renewal proposal.
The attached report from Mark III Employee Benefits provides specific cost information regarding the stop-loss renewal, as well as other plan costs. The stop-loss renewal reflects the overall challenges of the Medical Plan. This renewal was anticipated and already built into the overall renewal costs. The bid confirms that Companion Life is the best solution.
Approval of the resolution by staff is recommended.
Motion to Approve County Grounds Contract Renewal from Statesboro Southern Scapes LLC
At the June 18, 2024 commissioners meeting, the county grounds contract in the amount of $130,638 was awarded to Statesboro Southern Scapes LLC to begin on July 1, 2024 and end on June 30, 2025 with an option to renew for two successive, one year periods with same terms and conditions.
There has been a request from the Fire Department to increase the service levels from monthly to week/biweekly similar to Portal, Register, and Brooklet Fire Departments. The stations that would reflect the increase in service are Portal substation, Clito Main and substation, Leefield, Stilson, Akins Anderson substation, Nevils, Bay Area, Sandy Creek, and Pulaski. This would be an increase of $27,225 per year (weekly service).
In addition to the fire departments, the newly constructed round about at Burkhalter and Harville will be turned over to Bulloch County soon and will have to be maintained. I have also asked for a price for maintaining that at the same maintenance levels as the other two round abouts on the contract. The price for maintaining this one would be an additional $1,950 per year.
During our budget process this year, I requested an additional $30,000 in our contract services line item to cover the extra costs.
It is the recommendation of Tony Morgan, Recreation & Parks Assistant Manager to approve a renewal of the contract from Statesboro Southern Scapes for the period beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026 for $130,638 under the same terms and conditions from the original contract made in 2024. The renewal will also include the increase of service for the fire departments and maintenance of the new round about with an increase of $29,175. The total contract would be $159,813.
Authorize a Lease Agreement with Pineland BHDD
The agreement is a renewal for property located at 11 North College Street, Statesboro, GA. The terms and conditions remain unchanged. The term of the lease shall be for a period of 12 months from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. The lease agreement will generate revenue in the amount of $24,000.00 annually to the General Fund.
Approve the acceptance of the Ogeechee JC Drug Court and Mental Health Court FY26 Grant Awards: Mental Health Court $187,951.00 and Drug Court $325,442.00
| Judge Michael T. Muldrew is requesting permission to accept the FY26 Grant Awards for the Ogeechee Circuit Drug Court and the Ogeechee Circuit Mental Health Court. The Ogeechee Judicial Circuit Drug Court and Mental Health Court are requesting approval and acceptance of the FY2026 Grant Awards for Bulloch County Accountability/Treatment Court (Mental Health Court and Drug Court) in the amounts of: Mental Health Court $187,951.00 and Drug Court $325,442.00 (See attachments for breakdowns) to be split between Bulloch, Effingham, Screven, and Jenkins Counties. |
Approve the Renewal of the Master Lease Agreement with the State of Georgia Department of Audits & Accounts/State Properties Commission for the property located at 6 Joe Kennedy Blvd, Statesboro, GA
This is a request to renew the lease agreement between Bulloch County and the State of Georgia Department of Audits & Accounts/State Properties Commission for the property located at 6 Joe Kennedy Blvd, Statesboro, Georgia. The term of the agreement shall commence on the 1st day of July, 2025 and end on the 30th day of June, 2026 under the terms stated in the attached Master Lease Agreement.
Approve the purchase of Agenda and Minute Software Solution from Granicus in the amount of $38,550.75
Due to the current agenda and minute software, IQM2/MinuteTraq, losing technical support on September 30, 2025 and having an end-of-life date of September 30, 2027, an upgrade to the agenda and minute software is necessary. Granicus has provided the agenda/minute product services over the past years and is proposing the comparable product, Legislative/Legistar software, which will have the ability to add on additional features in the future. Please see the attachments for pricing, terms and conditions.
New Business
#1 – Approve a Resolution to Object to an Intended Annexation by the City of Statesboro Pursuant to O.C.G.A. 36-36-113
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. 36-36-113, the presented resolution objects to a proposed annexation by the City of Statesboro of property located on Old Register Road and U.S. Highway 301 South with a proposed land use as PUD (Residential and Commercial).
This item was presented by George Rountree, who is serving as the county attorney in the absence of Jeff Akins.
The Board of Education voted unanimously to ask the county to object because of the burden the new development would place on the school system. The BOE does not have the authority to object on their own, but has offered to provide financial assistance if arbitration were to arise.
Commissioner Timmy Rushing said the county’s objection is on the infrastructure needs – specifically for roads. He noted that Old Register Road could not handle the traffic and the possible need for a roundabout on Langston Chapel and Old Register which “would cost millions of dollars.” Rushing, however, said that if the city agrees to absorb the responsibilities for the roads, the arbitration will not be successful.
He asked the county attorney which justification for objection was best. Rountree said the roads were a legitimate reason for objection, but the BOE request was a “grey area.” The resolution before commissioners notes both reasons.
Read the Resolution.
Motion by Davis, approved unanimously.
#2- Approve a Resolution to Authorize the Acquisition of Certain Real Property and Approve a Real Estate Sales Contract Regarding Same
From the agenda: The County needs to acquire approximately 10 acres of real property in Register for recreation purposes. Recreation Director Dadrian Cosby will be present at the meeting to introduce and discuss this item. Approval is recommended.
Seller: James & Patricia Rushing – 710 Cypress Lake Road – Register, GA 30452
Purchaser: Randy Tillman, Interim County Manager/Bulloch County Board of Commissioners
Approved unanimously. Commissioner Timmy Rushing recused himself from the issue.
#3- Negotiations for Storm Debris & Monitoring Contracts
The Review Team recommends and requests approval from the BOC to enter into negotiations with three (3) most qualified responsive firms for FY2025 – PW01 – Disaster Storm Debris Removal Services Contracts and FY2025 – PW02 – Storm Debris Monitoring and Management Service Contracts.
Approved unanimously.
#4- Motion to approve entering into negotiations with all three (3) responsive proposers for the purposes of developing cost measures associated with pre-mitigation assessments and well mitigation methods including, but not limited to, setting existing well pumps deeper, replacing well pumps, and drilling a new well, on a unit priced basis.
This is to request approval from the Board of Commissioners for Bulloch County to enter into negotiations with qualified Well Drillers as part of the Bulloch Bryan Groundwater Sustainability Program (GSP). On 10/07/2024 the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division (GA EPD) issued Permit No. 016-0013 to the Bryan County Board of Commissioners to utilize 3.5 million gallons per day (MGD) on a monthly average and 3.5 MGD on an annual average from the Floridan aquifer from two wells located in Bulloch; and Permit No. 016-0014 to the Bulloch County Board of Commissioners to utilize 3.5 MGD on a monthly average and 3.125 MGD on an annual average from the Floridan Aquifer from two wells located in Bulloch County. The four wells collectively are proposed to serve the Interstate 16 Mega-Site in Bryan County and other associated development. As part of the Special Conditions in these two permits, Bryan and Bulloch Counties are to “create a joint municipal managed fund, which may include contributions from other entities, to address any potential significant impacts to existing Floridan Aquifer wells in an area defined by a circle with a 5-mile radius from the center point at the I-16 and Highway 119 interchange”.
In order to facilitate expedited mitigation measures for qualifying affected wells, the Bulloch Bryan GSP shall procure and contract with multiple, at least three (3), responsive and experienced licensed local well drillers, to perform Bulloch Bryan GSP approved mitigation measures on an on-call basis. Under the guidance and direction of Bulloch County GSP Manager its Consultant, Thomas & Hutton Engineering, Bulloch County is leading the procurement phase for On-Call Well Drillers. The procurement phase started with a public advertisement release of the Request for Proposal (RFP) on the webpages of Georgia Procurement Registry and Bulloch County Vendor Registry on 04/24/2025 with a Proposal due date of 05/08/2025. Bulloch County received two (2) proposal responses on 05/08/2025 which does not meet the minimum requirement of at least three (3) responsive and experienced licensed local well drillers.
Bulloch County and its Consultant, Thomas & Hutton Engineering immediately began revising the original RFP and making preparations for a second public advertisement release. The revised second RFP release started 05/15/2025 with a public advertisement release on Georgia Procurement Registry and Bulloch County Vendor Registry with a Proposal due date of 06/05/2025. Bulloch County received three (3) Proposal responses on 06/05/2025 and found all three (3) Proposals to be responsive. Therefore, Bulloch County GSP Manager, Mr. James Pope is requesting Board approval to move forward with negotiations with each of the three (3) responsive Well Drillers and begin developing cost measures associated with pre-mitigation assessments and well mitigation methods including, but not limited to, setting existing well pumps deeper, replacing well pumps, and drilling a new well, on a unit priced basis. The end goal of negotiations with each Well Driller should result in a 3-year on-call contract with Bulloch County and Bryan County respectively to allow for continuous access to the selected well drillers.
Approved unanimously.
#5- Motion to approve Task Order FY25-ROW-E02, in accordance with the Master Services Agreement dated 04/02/2025 with Johnson, Mirmiran, and Thompson (JMT), in the amount of $119,000.00 to perform right-of-way acquisition services on the Lee Road Drainage and Paving Project beginning at Willow Oak Court and ending at Mike Usher Road.
This is to request approval from the Board of Commissioners for Bulloch County to enter into Task Order FY25-ROW-E02 with Johnson, Mirmiran, and Thompson, Incorporated (JMT) for the purpose of right-of-way acquisition along the unpaved portion of Lee Road beginning at Willow Oak Court and ending at Mike Usher Road. A master services contract for county road right-of-way acquisition services with JMT was approved by the Board of Commissioners during the 04/01/2025 regular meeting.
Bulloch County contracted with EMC Engineering Services 02/15/2023 to design and engineer paving and drainage improvements along the unpaved portion of Lee Road beginning at Willow Oak Court and ending at Mike Usher Road. EMC Engineering Services issued the construction plans 08/09/2024 and Bulloch County Engineering held a property owners’ meeting 10/03/2024. The Engineering office requested a cost estimate from JMT 06/05/2025 for right-of-way acquisition along that portion of Lee Road beginning at Willow Oak Court and ending at Mike Usher Road. In accordance with the Master Services Agreement dated 04/02/2025, JMT has submitted Task Order FY-ROW-E02 in the amount of $119,000.00 to provide right-of-way acquisition services along that portion of Lee Road as previously described.
Approved unanimously
#6- Motion to approve Task Order FY25-ROW-E04, in accordance with the Master Services Agreement dated 04/02/2025 with Johnson, Mirmiran, and Thompson (JMT), in the amount of $117,200.00 to perform right-of-way acquisition services on the Moore Road Drainage and Paving Project beginning at Rocky Ford Road, continuing through the intersection at Old Portal Road, and extending an additional 0.47 miles along the unpaved portion of Moore Road.
This is to request approval from the Board of Commissioners for Bulloch County to enter into Task Order FY25-ROW-E04 with Johnson, Mirmiran, and Thompson, Incorporated (JMT) for the purpose of right-of-way acquisition along the unpaved portion of Moore Road beginning at Rocky Ford Road, continuing through the intersection at Old Portal Road, and extending an additional 0.47 miles along the unpaved portion of Moore Road. A master services contract for county road right-of-way acquisition services with JMT was approved by the Board of Commissioners during the 04/01/2025 regular meeting.
Bulloch County contracted with EMC Engineering Services 02/15/2023 to design and engineer paving and drainage improvements along the unpaved portion of Moore Road beginning at Rocky Ford Road, continuing through the intersection at Old Portal Road, and extending an additional 0.47 miles along the unpaved portion of Moore Road. EMC Engineering Services issued the construction plans 12/11/2023 and Bulloch County Engineering held a property owners’ meeting 12/12/2024. The Engineering office requested a cost estimate from JMT 06/05/2025 for right-of-way acquisition along that portion of Moore Road beginning at Rocky Ford Road, continuing through the intersection at Old Portal Road, and extending an additional 0.47 miles along the unpaved portion of Moore Road. In accordance with the Master Services Agreement dated 04/02/2025, JMT has submitted Task Order FY-ROW-E04 in the amount of $117,200.00 to provide right-of-way acquisition services along that portion of Moore Road as previously described.
Approved unanimously
Commission & Staff Comments
County Engineer Ron Nelson shared an update on the Cypress Lake Road bridge closed since March due to an automobile crash. He said he’s requested 60-day updates from the design firm, but said they’re on schedule for completion of design ‘on or before April of 2026.’ Procurement activity will follow after that.
“From a milestone perspective, plan on receiving 30% of preliminary plans the first of August and then we’ll be moving into the fall with more of the environmental process as well,” Nelson said. He requested continued patience from the public. “We are moving as quickly as possible.”
