This is an informal rundown of the Bulloch County Commission meeting on February 17, 2026.
Call to Order, Welcome Media and Visitors
Invocation and Pledge
Roll Call – All Commissioners present
Approval of General Agenda
Presentation from CEO of the Bulloch Development Authority
Benji Thompson appeared before county commissioners to present a check for $551,019.37 for support the county’s fire direct, Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) payments, for the 2025 tax year made by recently located manufacturing projects.
Public Comment – No one signed up to speak.
Consent Agenda
This line item was approved unanimously.
- Minutes – Feb 3, 2026
- Minutes – Feb 10, 2026
- Motion grant an alcoholic beverage license for retail beer and wines sales to Amrutbhai P. Patel, SK 2026, Inc., located at 448 Brannen Drive Statesboro, Georgia 30458.
- Approve Memorandum of Understanding between The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia by and on behalf of The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension and Bulloch County
- This MOU is an update to a previous agreement signed in 2020 that lays out the terms for the County and University of Georgia to collaboratively provide for the services of the Cooperative Extension. Highlights include specifics on IT systems as well as the method of jointly funding compensation for Extension employees by the County and the University.
- Motion to Approve GDOT Supplemental Agreement 3 for the S&S Greenway Project awarding Bulloch County $659,296.
- GDOT has awarded Bulloch County $659,296 in additional funding to cover the increased cost of environmental mitigations fees associated with the S&S Greenway Trail Extension. This award falls under the Transportation Alternatives Grant (TAP). Mitigation costs have increased significantly since the initial estimation and these funds will help in covering those costs. The federal share of these funds are $527,436.80 with the local share being $131,859.20. The local share is covered by TSPLOST. The total amount of GDOT funding received for this project totals $2,652,296.00. $2,121.836.80 in federal funds and $530,459.20 in local funds.
- Motion to approve the purchase of two Forcible Entry Door Simulators
- The Bulloch County Fire Department would like to purchase two forcible entry door simulators from East Coast Rescue Solutions in the amount of $15,195.00. Forcible entry is an essential skill in the fire service, these doors will allow our firefighters to train on this critical skill to stay up to date and ready to serve our citezens.
- Motion to approve a contract for 2026 Splash in the Boro Marketing / Media purchases through Davis Marketing Company
- Splash in the Boro Waterpark & Aquatics Center utilizes an outsourced marketing company for summer advertising and marketing. Davis Marketing Company (DMC) would consult and manage all of the Splash in the Boro media including social media, traditional media, and more. They also would design brochures, flyers, email blasts, and tv/radio commercials to boost attendance for the 2026 season.
- Also included in the contract is the Advertising Buy Plan. This is the amount that DMC would pay to third-party advertising media for spots on their station/websites. This is a direct buy, no percentage of this is kept by DMC, it is paid directly to the vendors through DMC.
- The total of this contract is $24,500 and is budgeted in the Splash in the Boro Advertising budget.
- This contract would be a continuation of prior work, reference ID 3645, 2231.
- Alex Estrada, Aquatics Division Manager, recommends approval of this contract.
- Request Approval to Purchase Tractor and Mowers for Airport from Shea Tractor and Equipment for $92393.34
- Request approval to purchase a Cab tractor, 15-foot batwing mower, and a 72″ diesel rear discharge mower from Shea Tractor and Equipment. $125, 000 was budgeted to purchase the equipment. Through SourceWell, the purchase price for all three pieces of equipment totals $92393.34.
- The airport maintains nearly 400 acres of land, resulting in significant wear and tear on our mowing equipment. While the older mowers remain operational, they are increasingly prone to requiring repairs. We intend to reserve the old mowers for backup use in the future.
- Motion to approve the purchase of fire hose and nozzles from Ten-8 Fire & Safety
- The Bulloch County Fire Department was budgeted $25,000.00 to purchase new fire hose and equipment. This purchase will help our Department equip our engines with new modern fire hose and nozzles that will increase water flow while operating at lower pressures. This will reduce the stress and workload of our firefighters and aid in better fire suppression. This equipment has become the standard for BCFD so to maintain standardized equipment across the fleet of apparatus.
- Motion to approve the submission of the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit Drug Court and Mental Health Court FY27 Grant Application for the amount of $629,002.00 (State $534,652.00/15% Match of $94,350.00)
- The Mental Health Court/Drug Court request approval of the FY2027 Grant Application for Bulloch County in the amount of $629,002.00 (State funds $534,652.00 and 15% County match of $94,350.00). The match will be split between Screven, Jenkins, Bulloch, and Effingham counties.
New Business
Approve a Resolution to Assure Compliance with the Georgia Constitution Regarding the Bulloch County School District’s Series 2026 General Obligation Sales Tax Bonds
The Board of Education has asked the Board of Commissioners to adopt the attached resolution to comply with Article IX, Section V, Paragraph VI of the Georgia Constitution, which requires that at or before the time of incurring bonded indebtedness, provision must be made for the assessment and collection of an annual tax in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on said debt within 30 years. The BOE’s bonds do not constitute a debt of and are not underwritten by the full faith and credit of Bulloch County. The bonds are solely a debt of the School District. In accordance with Article VIII, Section VI, Paragraph I of the Georgia Constitution, the Board of Commissioners is required to levy the annual school tax millage rate certified by the BOE. The attached resolution does not expand that obligation but simply states that the Board of Commissioners will levy annual taxes as certified by the BOE sufficient to pay principal and interest on the bonds, and further assures that those funds will be pledged to payment of the bonds. The debt service schedule, which is included as Exhibit A to the resolution, will not be available until the sale of the bonds on February 12th.
Approved unanimously.
Approve an Intergovernmental Agreement for Road Improvements with the City of Statesboro
The presented intergovernmental agreement for road improvements has been negotiated and vetted by County and City staff and provides a framework for moving forward with needed improvements on Burkhalter, Cawana, and Harville Roads. The initial phase of the Agreement provides that the County and the City will each pay 50% of the costs of design and engineering for the road improvements, with an estimated budget of $1,000,000 for design and engineering. After completion of construction plans and specifications, the parties will have to approve an amendment to the Agreement to establish the estimated costs and not-to-exceed amounts for right-of-way acquisition and remaining project costs before moving forward. The Agreement provides that the City will be responsible for 100% of right-of-way and easement acquisition costs on Cawana Road, the County will be responsible for 100% of right-of-way and easement acquisition costs on Harville Road, and the City and County will each be responsible for 50% of right-of-way and easement acquisition costs on Burkhalter Road. The Agreement further provides that the City will be responsible for 100% of the remaining project costs on Cawana Road, and the City and County will each be responsible for 50% of the remaining project costs on Burkhalter Road and Harville Road. After final completion of the project, the Agreement provides that the City will assume responsibility for the maintenance of Cawana Road and for that segment of Burkhalter Road from its intersection with Herman Rushing Road to its intersection with Highway 67, and the County will quitclaim its right-of-way to these roads to the City.
Approved unanimously.
Resolution to Impose a Temporary Moratorium On the Acceptance of Residential and Planned Unit Development Rezoning Applications
The presented resolution imposes a 90-day moratorium on the acceptance of residential and planned unit development rezoning applications, subject to an extension for a longer-term temporary moratorium after a public hearing. If the resolution is approved, the public hearing will be scheduled for the Board of Commissioners’ meeting on May 5, 2026. The purpose of the moratorium is to allow time to enact an impact development fee ordinance in order to ensure that future new residential development and planned unit development will be required to pay a proportionate share of the cost of new public facilities needed to serve that development.
Approved unanimously.
Resolution to Impose a Temporary Moratorium On the Permitting of Data Centers in Unincorporated Bulloch County
The presented resolution imposes a 90-day moratorium on the permitting of data centers in unincorporated Bulloch County, subject to an extension for a longer-term temporary moratorium after a public hearing. If the resolution is approved, the public hearing will be scheduled for the Board of Commissioners’ meeting on May 5, 2026. The purpose of the moratorium is to allow time to conduct comprehensive research and evaluation to determine if data centers should be prohibited or allowed in unincorporated Bulloch County and, if allowed, whether they should be subject to certain supplemental standards and to enact any necessary ordinance amendments.
Chairman David Bennett said the intent is to pause long enough to cross level information between commissioners and citizens regarding data centers and ensure any zoning that may be required is in place.
Approved unanimously.
Motion to approve both scope and fee proposals dated 01/30/2026 from American Engineers, Incorporated, for FY25-CP-E06 Roadway Design Batch 2 dirt road paving project, Task Order 2 for Stage 2 work associated with providing Right-of-Way and Final Plans. The cost for this work will be funded by TSPLOST.
During its regular meeting on 01/27/2025, the Bulloch County Board of Commissioners approved a Contract with American Engineers, Incorporated, with a not to exceed amount of $860,544.74, for project FY25-CP-E06 Roadway Design Batch 2. This Contract provided Stage 1 preliminary design and engineering services for the Lakeside Estates location that includes CR637 Bream Road, CR723 Bass Court, and CR1001 Pike Road and it also includes a separate group of roads known as CR34 Shuman Road, CR722 Club Road, CR721 JR Parker Road, and CR35 RL Lee Road. The Master Professional Services Agreement between the Bulloch County Board of Commissioners and American Engineers, Incorporated for professional services and Exhibit A Task Order was executed 02/11/2025. The Notice to Proceed with the design and engineering work was issued 02/12/2025.
As of 01/30/2026, the Stage 1 preliminary design and engineering services and deliverables are nearing completion. Therefore, American Engineers, Incorporated submitted a scope & fee proposal dated 01/30/2026 for Stage 2 providing Right-of-Way & Final Plans for Lakeside Estates which includes CR637 Bream Road, CR723 Bass Court, and CR1001 Pike Road. The fee proposal for the Stage 2 final design for the Lakeside Estates location is $241,722.50. The Stage 2 scope & fee proposal is in accordance with the Master Professional Services Agreement between the Bulloch County Board of Commissioners and American Engineers, Incorporated for professional services. executed by both parties 02/11/2025.
The Stage 2 Right-of-Way & Final Plans Task Order 2 scope of services for Lakeside Estates includes:
Phase 5 – Right-of-Way Plans
- Project Management duties & coordination
- Prepare Right-of-Way Plans (73 Parcels)
- Prepare staking and deed data
- Right-of-Way staking (73 parcels)
Phase 7 Final Plans
- Project Management duties & coordination
- Coordinate with utility companies for relocations
- Finalize utility plans
- Finalize signing and marking plans
- Finalize erosion control plans
- Finalize detailed construction quantities, cost estimate
- Prepare/submit final plans
- Revised erosion control plans based upon EPD comments
Additionally, American Engineers, Incorporated submitted a scope & fee proposal dated 01/30/2026 for Stage 2 providing Right-of-Way & Final Plans for CR34 Shuman Road, CR722 Club Road, CR721 JR Parker Road, and CR35 RL Lee Road. The fee proposal for the Stage 2 final design for this group of roads is $257,647.50. The Stage 2 scope & fee proposal is in accordance with the Master Professional Services Agreement between the Bulloch County Board of Commissioners and American Engineers, Incorporated for professional services. executed by both parties February 11th, 2025.
The Stage 2 Right-of-Way & Final Plans Task Order 2 scope of services for RL Lee Road & Others includes:
Phase 5 – Right-of-Way Plans
- Project Management duties & coordination
- Prepare Right-of-Way Plans (64 Parcels)
- Prepare staking and deed data
- Right-of-Way staking (64 parcels)
Phase 7 Final Plans
- Project Management duties & coordination
- Coordinate with Railroad
- Prepare Railroad submittal
- Coordinate with utility companies for relocations
- Finalize utility plans
- Finalize signing and marking plans
- Finalize erosion control plans
- Finalize detailed construction quantities, cost estimate
- Prepare/submit final plans
- Revised erosion control plans based upon EPD comments
The Engineering Office has reviewed both scope and fee proposals dated January 30th, 2026 from American Engineers, Incorporated to provide Stage 2 Right-of-Way & Final Plans for Lakeside Estates which includes CR637 Bream Road, CR723 Bass Court, and CR1001 Pike Road for $241,722.50 and Stage 2 Right-of-Way & Final Plans for CR34 Shuman Road, CR722 Club Road, CR721 JR Parker Road, and CR35 RL Lee Road for $257,647.50. The Engineering Office recommends approval of both scope and fee proposals as presented. The cost for this work will be funded by TSPLOST.
Approved unanimously.
Motion to adopt procurement policies of the Georgia Department of Transportation for the procurement, management, and administration of engineering and design related consultant services for federal aid projects.
In order to receive federal funds through GDOT, Bulloch County must maintain a Local Area Projects Certification. As part of that certification a resolution is needed to adopt GDOT procurement policies for use on these projects. Ron Nelson, Peyton Fuller, and Mary Deloach have all attended training on GDOT project procurement.
Approved unanimously.
Departmental Reports
Commission & Staff Comments
CFO Kristi King announced that the Bulloch County Commission Budget Retreat will be March 18 and March 19. More details to follow as it approaches.
