This is an informal rundown of the Bulloch County Commission meeting on May 20, 2025.
Call to Order, Welcome Media and Visitors
Invocation & Pledge
Roll Call – All Commissioners present.
Approval of General Agenda
Public Comments
Katherine Tootle –
Dewayne Collins – Addressed the proposed budget and the possible impact on taxes. He asked commissioners to consider working within the budgeted revenue, but noted he appreciated all the work done by the county to keep the county working.
Keith Hamilton – Addressed the ongoing septic disposal issue in Bulloch County.
Consent Agenda
Commissioner Newkirk asked for 3, 4, 10 and 11 to New Business for full discussion
Commissioner Davis asked for 5 to be moved to New Business for full discussion.
The remaining Consent Agenda items were voted on in one single vote.
1. Minutes of April 29, 2025 8:30 AM meeting
2. Minutes of May 6, 2025 5:30 PM meeting
3. Approve a Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of the Road in Broadmoor Estates Subdivision
The developer has requested that the County accept dedication of and title to the road in Broadmoor Estates Subdivision. Former County Engineer Brad Deal inspected this road and determined that it complies with all County requirements. Approval of the resolution will implement acceptance of this road and authorize Chairman Bennett to accept a deed for this road on behalf of the County.
4. Approve a Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of Roads in Grimball Pointe Subdivision
The developer has requested that the County accept dedication of and title to the roads in Grimball Pointe Subdivision. Former County Engineer Brad Deal inspected these roads and determined that they comply with all County requirements. Approval of the resolution will implement acceptance of these roads and authorize Chairman Bennett to accept a deed for these roads on behalf of the County.
5. Motion to approve payment to JCT Enterprise for mulch grinding
In the debris clean up process, some of the debris was double ground in order to be used by the county rec. department. JCT Enterprise provided this re-grind service at a cost of $41,000.00.
6. Approve a Special Event Permit for Ogeechee Area Hospice to host a non-profit event at Ogeechee Technical College, 20 Joe Kennedy Boulevard on June 7, 2025 from 6:30pm until 10:30pm.
7. Motion to Execute Administrative Services Agreement with RxBenefits, Inc.
Bulloch County has partnered with RxBenefits, Inc. to assist in the administration and evaluation of our health plan’s pharmacy benefits. Portions of the agreement submitted for approval have been redacted by RxBenefits, Inc. as trade secrets, a permissible exemption under the Open Records Act when an affidavit is attached. The agreement has been reviewed and approved by the County Attorney.
Approval by staff was recommended.
8. Resolution Declaring Unserviceable and Authorizing Internet Sale or Salvage of Vehicles and Equipment
The resolution declares as unserviceable (i.e., surplus) and authorizes the disposal by internet auction or salvage of certain vehicles and equipment that are no longer needed for County Purposes. Approval is recommended.
9. Motion to Approve Concessions Agreement with Blue Mile Pizza LLC dba Tarantinos Grill
The attached Concession Agreement licenses Blue Mile Pizza LLC dba Tarantinos Grill to operate concession stand/grill at Splash in the Boro for the 2025 season. In consideration for this license, Tarantinos will pay Bulloch County total compensation of $60,000.00, payable in three installments of $20,000.00 each. Aquatics Division Manager Alex Estrada negotiated the terms of this agreement with Tarantinos and recommends approval.
10. Motion to approve Task Release No. 1 from Hofstadter & Associates, under Master Agreement for Engineering Services previously executed 07/16/2024, to perform an analysis and prepare a feasibility report regarding various options for septage and sewerage in Bulloch County; and to approve a lump sum budget of $18,000.00 as outlined in the Task Release No. 1 exhibit as attached (section 5.1).
The Master Services agreement for Engineering Services with Hofstadter & Associates, Incorporated was approved during the Board of Commissioners regular meeting 07/16/2024 as consent agenda Item 4. The Master Agreement was executed on 07/16/2024 and will continue for a term of forty-eight (48) months. Under this Agreement, Bulloch County and the Firm intend to execute one or more “Task Releases” establishing specific project, scope of work, services, deliverables or work product, time for performance, compensation and other terms and conditions as provided in such Task Release.
The need for and increased awareness of the disposal of septage was brought forth to the Board of Commissioners by Keith Hamilton, owner/operator of Arcola Septic Care. During the April 15th, 2025 regularly scheduled meeting presentation, Mr. Hamilton submitted that Bulloch County is a leading county in Georgia for septic tank permits per year. The presentation on Sewage Discharges & Sewage Treatment also revealed septic tank pumping companies operating within Bulloch County are limited to two options for septage disposal; neither of these options are contracted to receive septage from Bulloch County citizens and may refuse service without prior notice. Of the two current economically feasible options, one location is in a neighboring county which is also experiencing growth. As development pressures continue in the unincorporated area, the reliance on on-site sewage management systems (septic tanks) will continue to exacerbate the issue. In response to the issue, Bulloch County representatives met on April 24, 2025 to discuss options for septage treatment. While three (3) options appear possible and were discussed at length, future determination and investment by the Board of Commissioners should be made based on sound study and analysis. Therefore, the County Planning and Development Services Department is requesting approval of Task Release No. 1 dated 05/13/2025 as well as funds to cover the cost of the study in the amount of $18,000.00 as provided for in section 5.1.
11. Motion to Approve Task Release No. 2 from Hofstadter & Associates, under Master Agreement for Engineering Services previously executed 07/16/2024, to perform an overall cursory civil engineering plan review for proposed developments within Bulloch County and to approve a not to exceed budget of $27,000.00.
During the Board of Commissioners regular meeting 07/16/2024, Consent Agenda Item 4. Motion to approve a Master Agreement for Engineering Services with Hofstadter & Associates, Incorporated was approved. Subsequently, the Master Agreement was executed 07/16/2024 and will continue for a term of forty-eight (48) months. Under this Agreement, Bulloch County and the Engineer intend to execute one or more “Task Releases” establishing specific project, scope of work, services, deliverables or work product, time for performance, compensation and other terms and conditions as provided in such Task Release.
The County Engineering Department is responsible for the performance of civil engineering plan reviews during the proposed residential subdivision/property development evaluation process lead by the Planning and Zoning Department. Each civil engineering plan review involves preliminary plan submittals prepared by the developer’s engineer for proposed residential subdivision/property developments within Bulloch County. Previously, all civil engineering plan reviews requested by the Planning & Zoning Department were conducted by the County Engineer, Mr. Brad Deal. With Mr. Deal’s departure 04/17/2025, the County Engineering Department can no longer support requests for civil engineering plan reviews from the Planning & Zoning Department. In an effort to supplement requests from the Planning & Zoning Department for civil engineering plan reviews, the County Engineering Department coordinated with Hofstadter & Associates to prepare a Task Release under the executed Master Agreement for Engineering Services. On 05/05/2025, Hofstadter & Associates provided Task Release No. 2 to perform an overall cursory civil engineering plan review for proposed developments within Bulloch County. The proposed lump sum fee to provide this service is $750.00 per initial review including one round of comments. Each civil engineering plan review will include a review letter containing comments and required amendments. After coordinating with Planning & Zoning Director, Mr. James Pope, the County Engineering Department is estimating a need for thirty-six (36) civil engineering plan reviews during the next twelve (12) months. Therefore, the County Engineering Department is requesting approval of Task Release No. 2 dated 05/05/2025 as well as funds to cover the cost for thirty-six (36) civil engineering plan reviews in the amount of $27,000.00.
12. Approve an Intergovernmental Agreement by and between the Georgia Department of Corrections and Bulloch County
This is the annual agreement with the State Department of Corrections to house inmates at the CI. The agreement lays out the terms for the CI to follow state policies and procedures while housing 160 inmates. The CI will received $30.00 dollars a day for each inmate it houses.
13. Approve an Agreement for Eye Care Services with RCS Vision, LLC Eye Care Service for the BCCI Inmate Population
This agreement provides eye care for the inmate population at Bulloch County CI by RCS Vision Eye Care Services. The Provider will visit BCCI to provide the care and charge a rate of $60.00 dollars per inmate seen.
14. Approve an Agreement for Dental Services with Les J. Kicklighter, DMD, PC for the BCCI Inmate Population
This agreement provides dental care for the inmate population at Bulloch County CI by LES KICKLIGHTER DMD PC. BCCI will have to transport inmates to the Provider. The Provider has a pay plan within the contact for his services.
Old Business
Approve a Resolution Authorizing the Staff and Professionals to Proceed with Issuance of Revenue Bonds
This item was deferred from the May 6th meeting. Updated resolutions for the 12-year financing plan and the 20-year financing plan to fund the jail addition project are attached. Also attached is a cash funding analysis prepared by Davenport & Company, LLC showing two different scenarios for funding the jail addition project without any debt.
The first scenario assumes an annual construction inflation rate of 2.50%, and the second scenario assumes an annual construction inflation rate of 5.00%. Both scenarios assume continuing annual SPLOST collections of $8,496,000 to go toward funding the project, which is the amount allocated to the project under the current SPLOST intergovernmental agreement.
Under the first scenario, construction of the project would not begin for nine years, and the total cost would be $75,029,671. Under the second scenario, construction of the project would not begin for 14 years, and the total cost would be $116,118,925.
If the Commissioners decide to authorize proceeding with the issuance of revenue bonds to finance construction of the project, the appropriate resolution should be adopted for the plan selected.
Commissioner Nick Newkirk made a motion to go with the 12-year-bond, but no commissioner seconded the motion, so it failed.
A motion was made by Commissioner Toby Conner to go with the 20-year bond and passed 5-1 with Newkirk opposing.
New Business
1. Approve a Resolution to Terminate the Statesboro Fire Tax District
Pursuant to an intergovernmental agreement by and between Bulloch County and the City of Statesboro, the City of Statesboro currently provides fire protection services within the Statesboro Fire Tax District, which consists of those areas in the unincorporated area of Bulloch County that are within a five-mile travel distance of one of the City of Statesboro’s fire stations. That intergovernmental agreement will terminate as of June 30, 2025 and has not been renewed or extended. Consequently, there will no longer be a need for the Statesboro Fire Tax District, and the approval of the presented resolution will terminate the Statesboro Fire Tax District as of July 1, 2025.
Motion by Commissioner Simmons, second by Mosley. Approved unanimously.
2. Approve a Resolution to Terminate the Rural Fire Tax District
Bulloch County currently provides fire protection services in the Rural Fire Tax District, which consists of those areas in the unincorporated area of Bulloch County that are outside the Statesboro Fire Tax District and those areas that are within the municipalities of Brooklet, Portal, and Register. However, beginning July 1, 2025, due to the termination of the intergovernmental agreement with the City of Statesboro, Bulloch County will begin providing fire protection services to both the area that is within the Rural Fire Tax District and the area that is within the Statesboro Fire Tax District. Consequently, there will no longer be a need for the Rural Fire Tax District, and approval of the presented resolution will terminate the Rural Fire Tax District as of July 1, 2025.
Approved unanimously.
3. Approve a Resolution to Establish the Bulloch County Fire Tax District
Beginning July 1, 2025, due to the termination of the intergovernmental agreement with the City of Statesboro, Bulloch County will begin providing fire protection services to both the area that is within the Rural Fire Tax District and the area that is within the Statesboro Fire Tax District. Consquently, a new special tax district to support fire services by Bulloch County needs to be established that includes this entire area. Approval of the presented resolution will establish the Bulloch County Fire Tax District as of July 1, 2025.
Approved unanimously.
4. Approve a Contingent Fee Retainer Agreement with Brockstedt Mandalas Federico LLC et al.
The law firm of Brockstedt Mandalas Federico LLC and others have offered to represent Bulloch County as a plaintiff in multidistrict litigation regarding alleged insulin price fixing pursuant to the attached agreement. This litigation would involve claims related to the self-funded employee health plan and would seek to recover amounts the plan has allegedly over paid for insulin and other related drugs. The attached brochure further explains the nature of the litigation and has brief bios of some of the attorneys involved. The agreement basically provides that the law firms will be entitled to a fee of 25% of any recovery and to reimbursement of expenses out of any recovery. If there is no recovery, the County will not have to pay anything.
Approved unanimously.
Deferred from the consent agenda
#3. Approve a Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of the Road in Broadmoor Estates Subdivision
The developer has requested that the County accept dedication of and title to the road in Broadmoor Estates Subdivision. Former County Engineer Brad Deal inspected this road and determined that it complies with all County requirements. Approval of the resolution will implement acceptance of this road and authorize Chairman Bennett to accept a deed for this road on behalf of the County.
Approved 5-1 with Newkirk voting NO.
#4. Approve a Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of Roads in Grimball Pointe Subdivision
The developer has requested that the County accept dedication of and title to the roads in Grimball Pointe Subdivision. Former County Engineer Brad Deal inspected these roads and determined that they comply with all County requirements. Approval of the resolution will implement acceptance of these roads and authorize Chairman Bennett to accept a deed for these roads on behalf of the County.
Approved 5-1 with Newkirk voting NO.
#5. Motion to approve payment to JCT Enterprise for mulch grinding
In the debris clean up process, some of the debris was double ground in order to be used by the county rec. department. JCT Enterprise provided this re-grind service at a cost of $41,000.00.
Approved unanimously.
#10. Motion to approve Task Release No. 1 from Hofstadter & Associates, under Master Agreement for Engineering Services previously executed 07/16/2024, to perform an analysis and prepare a feasibility report regarding various options for septage and sewerage in Bulloch County; and to approve a lump sum budget of $18,000.00 as outlined in the Task Release No. 1 exhibit as attached (section 5.1).
The Master Services agreement for Engineering Services with Hofstadter & Associates, Incorporated was approved during the Board of Commissioners regular meeting 07/16/2024 as consent agenda Item 4. The Master Agreement was executed on 07/16/2024 and will continue for a term of forty-eight (48) months. Under this Agreement, Bulloch County and the Firm intend to execute one or more “Task Releases” establishing specific project, scope of work, services, deliverables or work product, time for performance, compensation and other terms and conditions as provided in such Task Release.
The need for and increased awareness of the disposal of septage was brought forth to the Board of Commissioners by Keith Hamilton, owner/operator of Arcola Septic Care. During the April 15th, 2025 regularly scheduled meeting presentation, Mr. Hamilton submitted that Bulloch County is a leading county in Georgia for septic tank permits per year. The presentation on Sewage Discharges & Sewage Treatment also revealed septic tank pumping companies operating within Bulloch County are limited to two options for septage disposal; neither of these options are contracted to receive septage from Bulloch County citizens and may refuse service without prior notice. Of the two current economically feasible options, one location is in a neighboring county which is also experiencing growth. As development pressures continue in the unincorporated area, the reliance on on-site sewage management systems (septic tanks) will continue to exacerbate the issue. In response to the issue, Bulloch County representatives met on April 24, 2025 to discuss options for septage treatment. While three (3) options appear possible and were discussed at length, future determination and investment by the Board of Commissioners should be made based on sound study and analysis. Therefore, the County Planning and Development Services Department is requesting approval of Task Release No. 1 dated 05/13/2025 as well as funds to cover the cost of the study in the amount of $18,000.00 as provided for in section 5.1.
Approved unanimously.
#11. Motion to Approve Task Release No. 2 from Hofstadter & Associates, under Master Agreement for Engineering Services previously executed 07/16/2024, to perform an overall cursory civil engineering plan review for proposed developments within Bulloch County and to approve a not to exceed budget of $27,000.00.
During the Board of Commissioners regular meeting 07/16/2024, Consent Agenda Item 4. Motion to approve a Master Agreement for Engineering Services with Hofstadter & Associates, Incorporated was approved. Subsequently, the Master Agreement was executed 07/16/2024 and will continue for a term of forty-eight (48) months. Under this Agreement, Bulloch County and the Engineer intend to execute one or more “Task Releases” establishing specific project, scope of work, services, deliverables or work product, time for performance, compensation and other terms and conditions as provided in such Task Release.
The County Engineering Department is responsible for the performance of civil engineering plan reviews during the proposed residential subdivision/property development evaluation process lead by the Planning and Zoning Department. Each civil engineering plan review involves preliminary plan submittals prepared by the developer’s engineer for proposed residential subdivision/property developments within Bulloch County. Previously, all civil engineering plan reviews requested by the Planning & Zoning Department were conducted by the County Engineer, Mr. Brad Deal. With Mr. Deal’s departure 04/17/2025, the County Engineering Department can no longer support requests for civil engineering plan reviews from the Planning & Zoning Department. In an effort to supplement requests from the Planning & Zoning Department for civil engineering plan reviews, the County Engineering Department coordinated with Hofstadter & Associates to prepare a Task Release under the executed Master Agreement for Engineering Services. On 05/05/2025, Hofstadter & Associates provided Task Release No. 2 to perform an overall cursory civil engineering plan review for proposed developments within Bulloch County. The proposed lump sum fee to provide this service is $750.00 per initial review including one round of comments. Each civil engineering plan review will include a review letter containing comments and required amendments. After coordinating with Planning & Zoning Director, Mr. James Pope, the County Engineering Department is estimating a need for thirty-six (36) civil engineering plan reviews during the next twelve (12) months. Therefore, the County Engineering Department is requesting approval of Task Release No. 2 dated 05/05/2025 as well as funds to cover the cost for thirty-six (36) civil engineering plan reviews in the amount of $27,000.00.
Approved unanimously.
