This is an informal rundown of what happened at the Bulloch County Commission meeting.
Call to Order, Welcome
Invocation & Pledge
Roll Call – All Commissioners present.
Presentation
Proposal for New Discovery Software – Catherine Sumner – Bulloch County Solicitor General
Sumner presented to commissioners on the discovery (evidence) process and how streamlining the process with law enforcement agencies would improve efficiency for everyone involved – prosecutors, investigators, and defense attorneys. She said it would also reduce the time and resources staff expel each month, as a legal assistant in the office currently spends two weeks out of every month uploading, downloading, and formatting evidence. An additional benefit would be a higher level of security.
Sumner said the implementation could begin September 1 with an upfront cost of $5,000. She said she has spoken with the Law Library Board about assisting with the cost for the first year and she has been authorized to submit the request. Finally, she negotiated with Axon (service provider) to include a term that would allow a 30-day cancelation pay
Years 2-10 total contract price was $162,044. Even allocation per month is $1,455 or $17,449.36 per year. She said the overtime pay will be reduced considerably with the implementation.
Her request to commissioners Tuesday was for the $5,000 to engage the contract to begin the implementation.
There was no discussion by commissioners. It was approved unanimously.
Approval of Zoning Agenda
The county failed to meet notice standards for zoning decisions, so commissioners heard every zoning matter, but were unable to vote on any of the 5 zoning agenda items. The items will be voted on on August 5.
Turtle Landing Investments, LLC., has submitted an application to rezone approximately 71.17 acres AG-5 (Agricultural 5 acres sq. ft.) to R-80 (Residential 80,000 sq. ft.) for the purpose of creating a single-family subdivision. The property is located on Sinkhole Road and Ephesus Church Road.
This would subdivide the property into 22 lots. Read the application.
Denied by P&Z in a 5-0 vote.
The staff recommends conditions if approval is granted.
John Spandle said the homes will be 1,200 to 1,600 square foot homes with a private water system with three new wells to be drilled. He said the lot desire is 27, not 22. He then asked the developer, Clayton Randall, to speak. He said the lot plan is for 20 lots.
Gary & Judy McCorkle – Asked everyone in opposition to stand and show a hand – 67 people signed a petition opposing the rezoning application. He also spoke about the lacking infrastructure. “There is no public infrastructure here,” he said, while noting the need to preserve agriculture land and the determination that the plan is not in compliance with the comprehensive plan. He also outlined the negative impact anticipated on Nevils Elementary School.
Tammy Anderson – She spoke on the the issue in Evans County near the county line, which includes 4,000 Haitians and an increase in crime.
Garrett Sowell – He discussed the importance of preserving the quiet rural area.
“A lot of us voted for responsible growth and development. And I don’t think this is responsible. So please keep that in mind”
Bruce Simons – Asked about the $100,000 study for impact fees and issues that came about with the budget. “Please do Bulloch County citizens a favor and vote all of this down.” He said it all needs to be off the table until the impact fee study is finished.
Jeremy Anderson. – “Unfettered growth is not inevitable.” He said there are plenty of places around Statesboro to develop. “You don’t have to come 15-20 miles outside of Statesboro to develop.”
Amanda Klingel – Addressed safety issues and the heightened traffic that will come with more homes.
Michael Mallard has submitted an application to rezone approximately 24.4 acres AG-5 (Agricultural 5 acres sq. ft.) to R-80 (Residential 80,000 sq. ft.) for the purpose of creating a single-family subdivision. The property is located on Clito Road.
This would increase the number of lots from 2 to 9 with 5 additional lots. Read the application.
Denied by P&Z in a 5-0 vote.
The staff recommends approval, with conditions.
Garrett Sowell – Spoke against this proposal, listing a number of developments already under construction in the area where infrastructure is struggling to keep up.
Dean Roberts – Expressed his opposition to the proposal, citing concerns over renters and a desire to keep the current zoning.
Beverly Cannady has submitted an application to rezone approximately 6.07 acres AG-5 (Agricultural 5 acres sq. ft.) to R-80 (Residential 80,000 sq. ft.) for the purpose of subdividing an existing parcel into two separate parcels. The property is located at 1584 Old River Road South.
This would increase the number of lots from 1 to 2. Read the application.
Approved by P&Z in 5-0 vote. Staff recommended approval.
No one was present to speak against the application.
Commissioner Ray Davis sat in the audience to recuse himself due to a conflict of interest.
John and Marie Hunnicutt Family, LLLP., has submitted an application to rezone approximately 51 of the 64.95 acres AG-5 (Agricultural 5 acres sq. ft.) to R-8 (Residential 8,000 sq. ft.) for the purpose of creating a single-family subdivision. The property is located on U.S. Highway 80 East.
Read the application.
Commissioner Ray Davis sat in the audience to recuse himself due to a conflict of interest.
Steve Rushing spoke on behalf of the applicant.
Several of the speakers signed up to address Commissioners said they would defer to the August 5 meeting. Robert _[inaudible]_ and Lee Davis spoke against the rezone request.
ABA Development, LLC., has submitted an application to rezone approximately 50.13 acres AG-5 (Agricultural 5 acres sq. ft.) to R-25 (Residential 25,000 sq. ft.) for the purpose of creating a single-family subdivision. The property is located on Maria Sorrell Road.
Read the application.
Staff recommended approval with conditions.
P&Z voted to approve 4-1.
Grace Wooten is the agent.
In opposition: Garrett Sowell.
Approval of General Agenda
Public Comments
- Bruce Simons – Spoke about the impact fee study underway by the county.
- Lisha Nevil – Address commissioners as a citizen. She first asked about the possibility of a fire station on Union Church Road. She then addressed the issue of growth and the pace for subdivisions.
Consent Agenda
These items were voted on collectively in one single vote. Unanimous approval
Minutes of June 17, 2025 Meeting – 8:30 AM
Minutes of June 18, 2025 Meeting – 5:30 PM
Approve a Resolution to Establish a Special Streetlight District for Phase I of Mayberry Subdivision
The developers of Phase I of Mayberry Subdivision have requested the creation of a special streetlight district for this subdivision. This special streetlight district was approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission on May 20, 2025, and the Commissioners need to approve the presented resolution to actually create the streetlight district. Approval by staff is recommended.
Approve a contract renewal by and between Bulloch County Board of Commissioners d/b/a Bulloch County Correctional Institute and Inmate Calling Solutions, LLC d/b/a ICSolutions (ICS)
This contract renews the service currently provided by Inmate Calling Solutions (ICS). This is a revenue only service and Bulloch County does not pay anything for this service.
New Business
Motion to Approve Individual Project Order Number 05, in accordance with Master Agreement for Continuing Professional Services dated 08/30/2024, with Kimley-Horn and Associates in the amount of $424,500.00 for providing design and engineering services for a new multi-span bridge and roadway improvement along GW Oliver Road over Little Lotts Creek to be funded by TSPLOST.
A portion of GW Oliver Road, ~700 feet east of the Sinkhole Road intersection and ~3,300 feet west of the GW Oliver Spur Road intersection, has been closed to traffic since 08/06/2024 due to the effects of flooding from the Tropical Storm Debby event. GW Oliver road was closed by Bulloch County due extensive settlement, scouring, and pavement failure resulting in roadway collapse at the Little Lotts Creek crossing. The drainage under GW Oliver Road at Little Lots Creek is currently conveyed by seven (7) 72-Inch reinforced concrete pipe culvert.
The flood damage along this portion of GW Oliver Road began last year during the Tropical Storm Debby event on 08/06/2024 which produced 13.2 inches of rainfall from 08/04/2024 through 08/08/2024. This portion of GW Oliver Road was again affected during the unnamed storm event 11/07/2024 through 11/08/2024 which produced 7.27 inches of rainfall during a forty-eight (48) hour timeframe. Finally, this location of GW Oliver Road was again affected during the 05/12/2025 rain event which brought 6.90 inches of rainfall within a 24-hour time period on 05/12/2025.
Bulloch County Engineering held a scoping meeting with Kimley-Horn and Associates 06/13/2025 to discuss plans for design and engineering plans for permanent repairs to GW Oliver Road. Kimley-Horn and Associates provided Individual Project Order (IPO) No. 5 dated 06/24/2025 which includes a proposal for professional services for the design and engineering of permanent repairs to GW Oliver Road. Proposed services included are as follows:
- design project management and coordination,
- hydrology and hydraulic modeling,
- hydrology and hydraulic report and coordination with FEMA along with an opinion of probable construction cost,
- topographical survey database preparation of the area,
- geotechnical studies, and
- final design plans and documents for construction,
- agency permitting, and
- construction phase services.
All services provided by Kimley-Horn and Associates will be in accordance with the Master Agreement for Continuing Professional Services dated 08/30/2024.
Per the attached Proposal for Professional Services, Kimley-Horn will design and engineer this project as a new multi-span bridge and roadway improvement project. Kimley-Horne possesses the expertise, knowledge, and certifications necessary to provide design services for a project of this type. Kimley-Horne will follow state/federal guidelines as previously followed for storm damaged drainage repair projects in Bulloch County. This location has been reviewed and qualified by FEMA for reimbursement once funds become available.
Additionally, FEMA has established a deadline for delivery of the Hydrology & Hydraulics Report and the Opinion of Probable Construction Cost no later than 07/25/2025 or Bulloch County forfeits mitigation reimbursement at this location. Delivery of final design plans and construction documents for this project is anticipated March 2026. The total budget to provide design and engineering services for a new multi-span bridge and roadway improvement along GW Oliver Road over Little Lotts Creek is $424,500.00.
Approved unanimously.
