This is an informal rundown of what happened at the Bulloch County Commission meeting.
Call to Order – Welcome
Invocation & Pledge
Roll Call – Chairman David Bennett absent
Public Hearings
- Public Hearing and Resolution to Abandon a Portion of County Road No. 71 aka Boss Lanier Road
- County Attorney Jeff Akins told commissioners all legal requirements to advertise the abandonment had been met.
- Joey Lanier and Johnny Lanier – spoke in favor saying they’re constantly dealing with beer cans, lottery tickets, and speeders on the roadway. Noise is also an issue. Joey Lanier it’s a problem for his neighbors who have small children who cannot play in the yard.
- Commissioner Nick Newkirk asked about access for the people who live on that road. Joey Lanier said the road will remain the same but that they have the equipment to maintain the road privately and they plan to do so.
- Newkirk made a motion to close the road, Conner seconded, it was approved unanimously.
Presentation
Hospital Authority of Bulloch County – Annual Report Presentation – Patricia Hunter – Chair of the Hospital Authority Board
Approval of Zoning Agenda
Truck and Industrial, Inc., has submitted an application to rezone approximately 10.06 acres from AG-5 (Agricultural 5 Acres) / HC (Highway Commercial) to LI (Light Industrial) for the purpose of operating an automotive repair facility. The property is located at 248 Akins Anderson Road, PIN 049 000017 000.
Commissioner Timmy Rushing recused himself because it involves his brother-in-law and sister-in-law.
This property is located in the Gateway Tax Allocation District (TAD) across from EcoPlastic, just north of the AllGreen transfer facility.
Staff recommended approval with conditions. Planning & Zoning also recommended approval with conditions. No one spoke against the application.
'Approved with conditions' unanimously by Commissioners.
Truck & Industrial, Inc., has submitted an application to rezone approximately 4.12 acres from HC (Highway Commercial) to LI (Light Industrial) for the purpose of operating an automotive repair facility. The property is located at 4865 Highway 301 South, PIN 049 000016 000.
Commissioner Timmy Rushing recused himself because it involves his brother-in-law and sister-in-law.
Staff recommended approval with conditions. Planning & Zoning approved with conditions in a vote of 5-0.
'Approved with conditions' unanimously by Commissioners.
Chesed Holdings, LLC., has submitted an application to rezone approximately 30.769 acres from AG-5 (Agricultural 5 A Staff recommended approval with 22 conditions. Planning & Zoning approved with conditions in a vote of 5-0.
Staff recommended approval with 22 conditions. Planning & Zoning approved with conditions in a vote of 5-0. The developer was amenable to all 22 conditions.
Approved with conditions unanimously by Commissioners.
Manpreet Singh as CEO of AM PM Convenience Stores, Inc., has submitted an application for a conditional use in order to permit a liquor store. The property is located on U.S. Highway 80 East, PIN 122 000012 000.
Staff recommended approval with 2 conditions. Planning & Zoning approved with conditions in a vote of 5-0.
Approved with conditions unanimously by Commissioners.
Timothy Rushing has submitted a conditional use application for the purpose of permitting a natural resource development. The property is located on Dekle Road, PIN 034 000019 000.
Staff recommended approval with conditions. Planning & Zoning approved with conditions in a vote of 4-1.
Commissioner Nick Newkirk made a motion to table the motion to gather more information on the easement and the buffer. He said he had no issue with a sand pit, but wanted to make sure everything was up to par. His motion died for a lack of second.
Commissioner Toby Conner made a motion to approve, Mosley seconded. It was approved 4-0.
Julie Rushing has submitted a conditional use application for the purpose of permitting a natural resource development. The property is located on Dekle Road, PIN 034 000019B000.
Staff recommended approval with conditions. Planning & Zoning approved with conditions in a vote of 4-1.
Commissioners approved 4-0.
Approval of General Agenda
Public Comments
No one from the public signed up to speak.
Consent Agenda
- Minutes Approval: Tuesday, October 20th, 2026 08:30 AM
- Approve Executive Session Minutes from October 20th, 2026
- Approve Recreation & Parks Department’s request to approve the Long Leaf Pine Straw Bid. Renewal from Brian T. Powell Enterprises in the amount of $23,270.00 ($3.58/bale). The contract would begin from November 7, 2026, through November 6, 2027. The amount is approved in the FY27 budget
- Approve the purchase of one (1) E-ONE 1500 gpm side mount rescue pumper from Fireline in
the amount of $731,736.00 - Approve a contract with Southern Civil Tracks, LLC in the amount of $285,000.00 to provide drainage and paving improvements under FY27-ENGCP-003-1 Anderson Cemetery Road Drainage and Paving Project
- Grant a 2027 alcoholic beverage renewal license for package retail beer and wine sales to certain establishments with a current 2026 license
- Approve a Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of Roads in Phase II of Camelot Subdivision
Commissioner Newkirk asked for #5 to be removed from the Consent Agenda and placed in New Business.
All items approved unanimously with the exception of #5.
Old Business
Motion to approve Option 1 to advance FY23-CP-E02 Roadway Design JA Hart Road Project. All costs associated with Board approval of Option 1 will be funded by TSPLOST.
The JA Hart Road Paving Project was initially developed in February 2023 and includes:
- Paving approximately 0.468 miles of JA Hart Road, beginning at Zettwell Road and continuing west to its dead end.
- Clearing and utility relocation.
- Improvements within an existing 60-foot-wide public right-of-way already owned by Bulloch County.
- Acquisition of five temporary construction easements and nine paved driveway easements.
The county contracted with EMC Engineering for design services and Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson (JMT) for right-of-way acquisition services.
Although most acquisitions have been completed, two temporary construction easements are incomplete. JMT has been unable to obtain the remaining easements because the property owners have not responded. The easements are necessary to provide adequate drainage and transitions between the roadway and neighboring private property. JMT recommended that the county initiate condemnation proceedings to obtain the easements.
| Parcel | Easement needed | Initial negotiation amount |
|---|---|---|
| Parcel 5 | 0.079 acres (3,441 sq. ft.) | $1,500 |
| Parcel 6 | 0.037 acres (1,612 sq. ft.) | $1,000 |
| Total | 0.116 acres | $2,500 |
The report estimates that settlement costs could double from $2,500 to $5,000 as negotiations and condemnation proceedings continue.
Commissioners were asked to proceed with the project or cancel the project.
View the documents.
Commissioner Newkirk made a motion to move forward with Option 1 for the project. Conner seconded. Approved 5-0.
Motion to approve Option 2 to advance FY23-CP-E02 Roadway Design Lee Road Project. All costs associated with Board approval of Option 2 will be funded by TSPLOST.
The original Lee Road paving project called for clearing, utility relocation, and paving along 0.739 mile of roadway, affecting 28 parcels. The project would extend from Willow Oak Court, approximately 500 feet west of Arcola Road, westward to approximately 25 feet beyond Mike Usher Road.
The project has encountered several obstacles:
- All 28 property owners signed the original paving petition in February 2022.
- Two property owners along the western portion of the project subsequently opposed the paving.
- The county has struggled to obtain voluntary right-of-way donations from several owners.
- Some property owners have been unresponsive to acquisition efforts.
- Condemnation proceedings may be necessary to obtain the remaining property.
During the June 18, 2026, commission meeting, the Engineering Department requested an $8,000 change order with EMC Engineering to shorten the Moore Road and Lee Road construction plans, along with a $50,250 amendment for additional right-of-way acquisition services involving Moore Road.
Commissioners tabled both requests pending more information about acquisition progress and project expenditures. In October, staff directed county engineering to prepare a summary of actionable options.
Options:
- Proceed with original paving project
- The estimated total cost is $1,545,331.88, requiring an additional $678,281.88 beyond the remaining FY2027 project budget.
- Reduce the project to 0.416 miles
- The estimated project cost is $1,004,772.91, representing approximately $540,559 less than the full project.
- Cancel the project
View the documents.
Commissioner Toby Conner made a motion to go with Option 2. Commissioner Ray Davis requested the motion be amended to avoid land disturbance from the donated land for Option 2. Conner agreed to amend the motion and it passed 5-0.
Motion to approve Option _________ to advance FY23-CP-E02 Roadway Design Moore Road Project. All costs associated with Board approval of Option _______ will be funded by TSPLOST.
Originally planned as a 1.588-mile paving project, the proposal could be reduced to just 0.568 miles, eliminating approximately 64% of the original project. The county has already committed $197,937.17 to engineering and right-of-way acquisition contracts. The remaining FY2027 project budget is $1,801,710. County engineers have presented four options ranging from completing the original project to canceling it entirely.
- Complete the original 1.588-mile project
- This preserves the original route, including the section controlled by the property owner who opposes the project.
- county would need to approve an additional $50,250 contract amendment with Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson (JMT) for right-of-way services.
- proposal anticipates seven parcels requiring condemnation proceedings, five requiring negotiation or settlement, and one involving potential damage to an adjacent property.
- estimates $192,500 just to begin property settlement negotiations, increasing that amount by 25% to $240,625 for budgeting purposes.
- This preserves the original route, including the section controlled by the property owner who opposes the project.
- Reduce the project to 1.039 miles
- eliminate the 0.549-mile section associated with the opposing property owner while retaining paving west of Old Portal Road.
- The county would still need to acquire right-of-way from twelve parcels, including six recommended for condemnation.
- It would also require the $50,250 amendment for additional right-of-way acquisition services.
- Reduce the project to 0.568 miles
- STAFF RECOMMENDATION
- project would begin near Moore Circle and terminate at Old Portal Road, eliminating both the section associated with the opposing property owner and the proposed paving west of Old Portal Road.
- county would still need to pursue condemnation proceedings involving four unresponsive parcels
- Engineering Department says this option would eliminate the need for the additional $50,250 right-of-way services amendment.
- estimates $32,500 to begin property negotiations, with a budgeted settlement allowance of $40,625.
- Cancel the project
- Cancellation would allow the county to redirect the remaining $1,801,710 in TSPLOST funding to other capital improvement projects
Commissioner's voted unanimously to approve #3.
New Business
#5 from the Consent Agenda: Approve a contract with Southern Civil Tracks, LLC in the amount of $285,000.00 to provide drainage and paving improvements under FY27-ENGCP-003-1 Anderson Cemetery Road Drainage and Paving Project
Commissioner Newkirk brought up that the developer was supposed to pave 2,500 feet of Anderson Cemetery Road and part of the decel lane. That was reduced in a second request before commissioners. The county already chipped in $250,000 to pay for the turning lane, but when the subdivision was approved, all of this was supposed to be paid for by the developer. He said he just wanted to bring it to the attention of everyone.
Rushing made a motion to approve, second from Mosley. It passed 3-2 with Newkirk and Davis opposing.
Commission & Staff Comments
Executive Session
Personnel -
