This is an informal rundown of what happened at the 4/1/25 Bulloch County Commission meeting.
Call to Order
Invocation & Pledge
Roll Call – All commissioners present
Presentations
- Presentation of Print of Denmark by the Royal Danish Consulate – Christopher N. Smith, Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Denmark
- Proclamation Presentations – Child Abuse Prevention Month – Lora Cooper, Executive Director for Positive Childhood Alliance Bulloch and Kimberly Billings, Legal Services Director for Safe Haven
Public Hearings
Public Hearing and Resolution to Establish a Special Streetlight District for Stillwater Subdivision
Owners of residential lots in Stillwater Subdivision have submitted a petition to create a special streetlight district for Stillwater Subdivision. The petition was signed by at least 75% but less than 100% of the lot owners. In accordance with the streetlight district ordinance, a public hearing must be held on this issue since less than 100% of the lot owners signed the petition. Pursuant to the ordinance, the attached public hearing notice was published in the Statesboro Herald on Thursday, February 27, 2025, and a sign providing notice of the public hearing was placed on the property at least 10 days prior to the hearing. Adoption of the attached resolution after closing the public hearing will create a special streetlight district for Stillwater Subdivision.
Public Hearing and Resolution to Establish a Special Streetlight District for The Oaks Subdivision
Owners of residential lots in The Oaks Subdivision have submitted a petition to create a special streetlight district for The Oaks Subdivision. The petition was signed by at least 75% but less than 100% of the lot owners. In accordance with the streetlight district ordinance, a public hearing must be held on this issue since less than 100% of the lot owners signed the petition. Pursuant to the ordinance, the attached public hearing notice was published in the Statesboro Herald on Thursday, March 27, 2025, and a sign providing notice of the public hearing was placed on the property at least 10 days prior to the hearing. Adoption of the attached resolution after closing the public hearing will create a special streetlight district for The Oaks Subdivision.
Approval of Zoning Agenda
Manpreet Singh, as agent for AM PM Convenience Stores, INC. submitted a request for a conditional use for operating a drive through facility. The property is located at US Hwy. 80 and Burkhalter Road.
Approved 4-2 with Commissioners Davis & Newkirk opposing.
LSL South Construction, LLC. has submitted an application for a conditional use to operate a contractor office in Highway Commercial. The property is located on Chanaberry Court.
Approved 6-0.
Approval of General Agenda
Public Comments
Cathy Lee – Resident of “The Oaks” – Brought up issues about Statesboro Water – Every time the power goes out, they have no water. Private water system is not equipped with a generator. States she’s paying $130/month for water, but it’s not reliable. She is asking commissioners to step in and encourage/act/take any action they can to assist people in her community and the neighboring community.
Thomas Sweat – Resident of “The Oaks” -Expressed similar concerns as previous speaker as well as increasing prices by the private supplier while pressure issues and reliability issues loom. He said he cannot run two bathrooms at one time.
Retta Sweat – Expressed similar concerns as Thomas Sweat, Cathy Lee.
Marcus Toole – Spoke about the Habitat for Humanity flags for housing program
Consent Agenda
Commissioner Nick Newkirk asked to move items 6, 13, and 15 to new business
Commissioner Toby Conner asked to move item 18 to new business.
The other items were voted on collectively and
- Minutes – March 18 8:30 AM
- Minutes – March 17 8:30 AM
- Minutes – March 18 8:30 AM
- Motion to Approve Bulloch County Recreation & Parks Department Countywide Signage Bid
- Sealed bids were accepted for BCRPD countywide signage replacement. The low bidder was A Better Sign with a bid of $25,861.
- Samples were received and reviewed from A Better Sign. Reference checks were completed with highly positive feedback regarding their quality and reliability. Given their competitive pricing and strong reputation, it is the recommendation of Kimberly Sharpe, Events and Communications Coordinator, to accept the bid from A Better Sign in the amount of $25,861.
- This project is scheduled in the FY25 Capital Budget – Project PARK03.
- Motion to Approve the Purchase of CMC Rescue Equipment from NAFECO
- Motion to Approve the Purchase of Lion PPE from NAFECO
- Motion to approve contract for the main band for Firecracker Fest Celebration to be held on July 3, 2025
- Approve a Resolution to Establish a Special Streetlight District for Phase III-A of Smith Creek Subdivision
- Approve a Resolution to Establish a Special Streetlight District for The Enclave Subdivision
- Approve a Resolution to Establish a Special Streetlight District for Latitude 32 Subdivision
- Approve a Resolution to Establish a Special Streetlight District for Evelyn Oaks Subdivision
- Approve a Resolution to Establish a Special Streetlight District for The Fields at Hightower Subdivision
- Motion to Approve the Purchase of Cairns Fire Helmets from Bennett Fire Products
- Authorize a letter of transmittal for nominees to Seat 1-B, Seat 2-A, Seat 4-A, and Seat 4-B to be appointed by the Hospital Authority of Bulloch County Board of Directors. Seat 1-B Nominees: Ben Ross, Tal Johnson, and Joseph Cushner. Seat 2-A Brian Deloach, Tal Johnson, and Chad Wiggins, Seat 4-A Joseph Cushner, Chad Wiggins, and Tal Johnson and Seat 4-B Steve Hein, Chad Wiggins, and Brian Deloach
- Motion to approve the purchase of SCBA mask for firefighters from MES
- Motion to approve a purchase order in the amount of $76,280 for foundation work of the new office building for the Crime Suppression division of the Sheriff’s Department on Randy Lowery Road.
- Motion to approve a purchase order in the amount of $49,862.00 for slab and metal building for an addition to the Brooklet Fire Station on Hwy 80 East in Brooklet.
- To grant approval of a Special Event Permit submitted by Mary Mallard Bennett for May 3, 2025.
New Business
Approval of Interim County Manager Employment Agreement with Randy Tillman
Current Interim County Manager Cindy Steinmann has submitted her resignation from employment with Bulloch County to be effective April 9, 2025. Randy Tillman has agreed to serve as Interim County Manager upon her departure in accordance with the terms and conditions in the attached employment agreement. He will return to his current position of Public Safety Director upon the hiring of a county manager. Approval was recommended by staff.
Simmons motioned, approved 6-0.
Motion to approve a master services contract with Johnson, Mirmiran, & Thompson, Inc. for professional right of way acquisition services for county road projects.
Bulloch County announced through public advertisement a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for County Road Right-of-Way Services on 02/13/2025 and received Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) from proposers on 02/28/2025. SOQ evaluations were completed and Board approval to enter into negotiations was requested and approved 03/18/2025. Negotiations with Johnson, Mirmiran, and Thompson (JMT) for providing Bulloch County with professional right-of-way acquisition services over the next three (3) year period began 03/20/2025 and concluded 03/21/2025. The negotiations included discussions regarding the current and future capacity of the Capital Improvements Program involving roadway design and construction work in Bulloch County over the next three (3) year time period. Actual costs for work on individual projects will be determined on a task order basis, using the rates listed in the master services agreement, as well as the number of parcels and work required for each project. Individual project task orders will be brought to the Board of Commissioners for approval prior to beginning work. The negotiations with JMT concluded with the development of the below Menu of Services:
Master Agreement Scope for Professional Right-of-Way Services
Schedule for determining project delivery of Professional Right-of-Way Services (Per Project Basis)
Fee Schedule for Professional Right-of-Way Services
The professional right-of-way acquisition services offered by JMT will strengthen the Bulloch County Capital Improvements Program involving delivery of roadway design and construction projects. Bulloch County will be able to capitalize on JMT's expertise in the field of right-of-way valuation appraisal, acquisition, and property settlement transactions. The right-of-way phase in current and ongoing roadway projects, as well all future roadway design and construction projects can be delivered to the public in a timely and efficient manner.
JMT has performed right of way services for Bulloch County on the S&S Greenway Phase 3 project. The rates in the agreement are consistent with this previous work. The County Engineer recommends approval.
Termination of Corporate Guaranty
This is a formality to accept the termination agreement with Aspen Aerogels as part of the claw back clause following their project halt at the industrial park. More on this from the city council meeting earlier in the day. Read it here.
Commissioner Nick Newkirk inquired about a letter circulating on Facebook last week, which indicated the city and county would be meeting in the near future about the 5-mile district and fire services. "We're meeting with the city again to negotiate? Is there any truth that? Is that a bunch of false lettering that I saw?"
Bennett said, "So we are going to sit down. Apparently the city would like to talk to us. I don't know what they have to offer. The Chamber of Commerce has proposed an offer of extending the 5-mile radius for an additional year. We're going to go and listen. But at the same time, what I told Ms. Davis [Chamber of Commerce] was that we have a moral obligation to provide fire protection for the entire county and that we would continue to progress forward with our plans to provide fire protection for the county.
I have no intention to stop with that plan based off of a discussion that is planned to be had."
Commissioner Timmy Rushing asked, "Where is this letter? I hadn't seen anything about a letter."
Newkirk: "They sent it out in an email, didn't they?"
Bennett: "The Chamber of Commerce put out a letter saying that we're going to have this discussion and it was based off of an agreement that we said, that I said, we would sit down and talk with them."
Newkirk stated that he did not have any issues with the fire department agenda items, but rather wanted the clarification on what was happening with the city. "I didn't know if we needed to postpone some of this stuff if we were going back to the table with the city or not. So that's just what I was trying to figure out.
Consent Agenda # 6 = Motion to Approve the Purchase of Lion PPE from NAFECO
With the approval of 37 firefighters, Chief Tapley said additional equipment is needed. This purchase is for the new positions and personnel added to the department. Staff said the County CFO advised the funds were available for the purchase. He also said 'time is critical' as there is a time from purchase to delivery.
Approved unanimously.
Consent Agenda # 13 = Motion to Approve the Purchase of Cairns Fire Helmets from Bennett Fire Products
Approved unanimously.
Consent Agenda # 15 = Motion to approve the purchase of SCBA mask for firefighters from MES
Approved unanimously.
Consent Agenda # 18 = To grant approval of a Special Event Permit submitted by Mary Mallard Bennett for May 3, 2025
Commissioner Toby Conner recused himself from voting due to a conflict of interest with someone who is kin to him,
Approved unanimously 5-0 with Conner recused.
Commission & Staff Comments
Chairman David Bennett gave a farewell to Cindy Steinmann who is leaving the county after a decade.
Public Works Director Dink Butler said March 24, 2025 marked the completion of the debris gathering process post-Hurricane Helene. Any additional debris is the property owner's responsibility. The county is working on grinding debris and cleaning up storage sites - which is expected to be done in the next 30 days. The county has topped $10 million in clean-up. $500,000 will be submitted for reimbursement for in-house work and costs incurred by the county. Total Helene clean-up is over $13 million.
Planning & Development Director and Ground Water Sustainability Manager James Pope shared that the Well Mitigation Hotline is live. Also in process is a draft RFP for on-call well drillers.
Executive Session
Potential Litigation and Real Estate
Commissioners voted to enter into executive session at 7:30 p.m.
