This is an informal rundown of the Bulloch County Board of Commissioners meeting on March 3, 2026.
Call to Order
Invocation & Pledge
Roll Call – All commissioners present.
Public Hearing – Impact Fees
The purpose of this public hearing is to provide information to and receive feedback from the public regarding the potential creation of an impact fee program, including the preparation of a Capital Improvements Element, pursuant to the Georgia Development Impact Fee Act.
Staff shared that rapid population growth and development in Bulloch County are putting pressure on infrastructure such as roads, public safety services, parks, and other county facilities. Impact fees are considered a tool to ensure that new development helps pay for the additional infrastructure it requires, rather than placing the full cost on existing taxpayers.
Impact fees in this context would be one-time charges assessed on new development paid when building permits are issued. The fees are intended to fund capital improvements needed because of growth, such as:
- Roads and transportation improvements
- Public safety facilities (fire, EMS, etc.)
- Parks and recreation facilities
- Other major infrastructure expansions
The fees cannot be used for general operations or maintenance and they must be tied specifically to infrastructure needed due to growth.
The formal study and planning process for impact fees includes:
- Conducting a professional impact fee study
- Identifying infrastructure needs caused by projected growth
- Calculating a fair-share cost for new development
- Creating a Capital Improvements Element (CIE) and updates to planning documents
- Holding public hearings before adoption
As it stands now, the county is planning to evaluate future growth projections, identify infrastructure demands caused by that growth, determine whether impact fees are appropriate, and how much they would be. If the study supports it, the county will then look at adopting an impact fee ordinance after additional hearings and review.
Approval of Zoning Agenda
Janet Lanier has submitted an application to rezone approximately 10.55 acres from R-80 (Residential 80,000 sq ft) to R-25 (Residential 25,000 sq ft) for the purpose of creating a subdivision. The property is located at 424 Brannen Drive, PIN MS32000011 000.
Commissioners ultimately voted to defer the decision until the next night meeting, which will be April 7.
Concrete Enterprises, LLC., has submitted an application to rezone approximately 24.38 acres from HC (Highway Commercial) to HI (Heavy Industrial) for the purpose of operating a ready-mix concrete plant and an asphalt plant. The property is located at 12139 Highway 301 South, PIN MS34000003 000.
Approved with conditions 6-0.
Approval of General Agenda
Public Comments
Consent Agenda
Approved unanimously. #11 & #12 moved to New Business.
Minutes from February 17, 2026 @ 8:30 AM
Storage Building Request
This is a request to purchase a 14x20x8 Storage Building to store records at the Facility in a Climate Controlled environment. This request also includes a mini split and power installation. This request was approved through FY 26 Capital Budget Request. The total approved was 22,000 and this price comes in at 21,945.17. The current storage location is not climate controlled and is beginning to deteriorate. We must maintain strict compliance with legal and administrative record-retention requirements, which makes proper storage essential. Many inmate, personnel, medical, and incident records are required to be preserved for years under state regulations and oversight standards. A climate-controlled storage building protects these sensitive documents from heat, humidity, mold, and deterioration, ensuring their integrity, confidentiality, and accessibility for audits, litigation, or public records requests. Investing in secure, temperature-regulated storage reduces the risk of document loss, legal liability, and costly record reconstruction while demonstrating the facility’s commitment to compliance and operational accountability.
Motion to Approve an Extension of Banking Services with Synovus/Pinnacle
Per the County’s Financial Policies, banking services should be bid every five years. The County last bid banking services in 2020, so staff began looking at rebidding these services in late 2025. After changing to Synovus in 2020, Finance staff has been very pleased with the services provided and we weren’t anxious to make a change due to the complexity and difficulty of changing these services. After a discussion with our municipal financial advisors, Davenport & Company, we decided to re-examine our contract with Synovus/Pinnacle to ensure that the County has favorable terms and continue the established relationship. Synovus worked with Finance staff to perform a business process review toward the end of 2025 to ensure that we are working efficiently and using the banking tools available to us. Davenport & Company reviewed the RFP and responses submitted by Synovus in 2020, as well as current statements and performance information to verify that Synovus has performed as proposed. Following this review, Davenport & Company negotiated on the County’s behalf with Synovus/Pinnacle for the terms in the attached Extension of Banking Services Contract. Finance staff believe these terms are favorable for the County and encourage approval of the extending banking services with Synovus/Pinnacle.
Motion to approve agreement between Bulloch County Recreation & Parks and Department of Natural Resources to supply and restock the ponds annually at Fletcher Park and Mill Creek Regional Park.
Joy Deal, Community Recreation Division Manager, initiated a meeting with Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to discuss a decline in participation for two recreation sponsored events, fishing rodeos for Bulloch Board of Education Special Needs classes and also Bassmasters.
During discussion, it was noted that the ponds at Fletcher Park and Mill Creek Regional Park had not been restocked in years. It was decided that restocking the ponds with a suitable breed of fish for the size of these ponds would improve the participant’s experience.
Based on this conclusion, an agreement was reached:
- Georgia DNR will supply and restock the ponds annually.
- Recreation & Parks Department will continue to maintain the grounds and ponds and supply the fish food.
With the addition of fish food, this would increase our operational budget by $2,000 per year, per pond.
Ms. Deal is requesting the approval of this agreement between Bulloch County Recreation & Parks and Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
Motion to approve the purchase of an ABI Force Z23ST infield athletic machine for Bulloch County Recreation & Parks Department
Motion to approve a lease agreement for the Bulloch County USDA Service Center until December 31, 2031.
Motion to continue Financial Advisory Retainer Services Agreement with Davenport & Company LLC per the Supplemental Letter Agreement Dated February 28, 2022.
Approve purchase to update HVAC controls at Ag Business Center from Augusta Chiller Service in the amount of $75, 197.50. Funds approved in FYE26 capital budget.
Approve a Special Event Permit for Statesboro Ducks Unlimited to host a non-profit event at Ogeechee Technical College, 20 Joe Kennedy Boulevard on April 9, 2026 from 6:00pm until 9:00pm.
Approve a Special Event Permit for Rotary Club of Downtown Statesboro to host a non-profit event at Ogeechee Technical College, 20 Joe Kennedy Boulevard on March 17, 2026 from 6:30pm until 9:30pm.
Motion to approve a one time purchase of (10) 20 yard roll off containers
Motion to Approve Bid for fence at new Pine Inn Convenience Center
Motion to Award Bid to Martin Marietta in Augusta and Martin Marietta in Warrenton
Motion to Approve a Contract with Peek Pavement Marking, LLC to perform work at the intersection of Adabelle Road and Kennedy Bridge Road that includes refreshing the current striping, replacement of existing signage, and installation of new signage along the four (4) roadway approaches at this intersection. The cost for this work will be funded by TSPLOST.
New Business
#11 from Consent Agenda: Motion to approve a one time purchase of (10) 20 yard roll off containers
Approved 6-0.
#12 from Consent Agenda: Motion to Approve Bid for fence at new Pine Inn Convenience Center
Approved 6-0.
Motion to Approve a Contract with Peek Pavement Marking, LLC to perform work at the intersection of Adabelle Road and Kennedy Bridge Road that includes refreshing the current striping, replacement of existing signage, and installation of new signage along the four (4) roadway approaches at this intersection. The cost for this work will be funded by TSPLOST.
On August 25, 2025, the County Engineering Office coordinated with Hofstadter & Associates to request an Intersection Control Evaluation be performed at the intersection of Adabell Road and Kennedy Bridge Road south of Register, Georgia and south of I-16. Kennedy Bridge Road is currently a 2-way stop condition and Adabell Road is a through condition at this intersection. Mr. Chad Hofstadter of Hofstadter & Associates responded September 8, 2025 with a scope and fee proposal to include a Traffic Engineering Report/Intersection Control Evaluation and a high-level schematic plan for a fee of $15,000.00. The proposal was executed September 9, 2025 and notice to proceed was effective immediately. The final draft of the Traffic Engineering Report/Intersection Control Evaluation was completed and provided to the County October 27, 2025 and subsequently revised December 18, 2025. An executive summary of the report was provided that includes the following:
- Operations: Intersection operates acceptably (LOS A) under existing and projected 2030/2050 no-build conditions.
- Signal Warrants: MUTCD volume warrants were not met; a traffic signal is not recommended.
- ICE Findings: Although All-Way Stop scored well in ICE, it is not warranted per MUTCD and may introduce inefficiencies on this rural, high-speed corridor. A single-lane roundabout offers modest operational/safety benefits but is not justified at this time given cost/ROW and low volumes.
- Near-Term Safety Enhancements (recommended):
- Upgrade R1-1 STOP and W3-1 STOP AHEAD signs (consider LED-flashing assemblies; add W4-4P plaque).
- Refresh/enhance pavement markings (advance symbols/stop bars).
- Evaluate and adjust rumble strips on Kennedy Bridge Rd.
- Vegetation trimming on the westbound approach to restore sight distance.
- Supplemental delineation on the westbound approach (e.g., W1-8 chevrons/reflective post treatments).
- Install W2-1 “Cross Road Ahead” on the southbound Adabelle Rd approach.
- Long-Term: Reconsider a single-lane roundabout only if future volumes increase or crash patterns persist/worsen, supported by updated data and funding.
The County Engineering Office recommends approval of the Quote from Peek Pavement Marking, LLC in the amount of $28,069.20 to perform work at the intersection of Adabelle Road and Kennedy Bridge Road that includes refreshing the current striping, replacement of existing signage, and installation of new signage along the four (4) roadway approaches at this intersection. The cost for this work will be funded by TSPLOST.
Approved unanimously.
