Commissioners cover a lot of ground

The Emanuel County Board of Commissioners met for the regular monthly meeting Monday, September 15, 2025, at the Emanuel County Courthouse. Present were Chairman Jim Sherrod, Vice Chairman Timmy Oliver, District 1 Commissioner Kwame Coleman, and District 2 Commissioner Ricky Thompson. Commissioner John Moore was unable to attend but participated electronically in the meeting. County Administrator Guy Singletary, County Clerk Halei Lamb and County Attorney Richard McNeely were in attendance as well. Chairman Sherrod opened the meeting with a welcome to visitors and the media after which County Attorney McNeely offered an invocation. Vice Chairman Oliver led the Pledge of Allegiance. Minutes were offered and approved for the September 8 workshop meeting, the August 27 budget hearing, millage rate hearing and millage rate adoption meeting, the August 20, 6 p.m. and 9 a.m. tax increase public hearings, the August 18 regular meeting and the August 11 workshop meeting. Moving into old business, Chairman Sherrod repeated an earlier announcement for qualified parties to submit letters of interest for an upcoming appointment to a vacant seat on the local Hospital Authority. Administrator Singletary encouraged interested parties to submit applications via the county’s website and emphasized the importance of the position as well as the opportunity to serve in this vital capacity. Under new business, commissioners reviewed and okayed the long-awaited grant approval of the three-tiered project at the Recreation Department. This gives the green light to the onset of construction anticipated in the near future. The project includes renovation and upgrades of the gymnasium, construction of a softball complex and construction of a new swimming pool. The grant funding for the projects totals in excess of 6 million dollars. Singletary advised that the public should be prepared for some schedule changes on various programs during the construction period. Moving into action regarding the 2025-2026 budget, the commissioners released the anticipated figures for county operations in the coming new year. Administrator Singletary cited rising costs in just about every department that have created intense belt-tightening efforts. The result, according to the Administrator, is a budget that is holding steady while still providing necessary services and encouraging more efficiency and growth potential. The commissioners voted to approve the 25-26 budget at $19,073,825. The hurricane of last year is still very much evident throughout Emanuel County and commissioners discussed the budget amendments of 2024-25 that have yet to be completely dealt with largely due to the massive damage from Hurricane Helene. A motion was accepted and passed to declare a budget amendment for 24-25 of 1.8 million. The next issue under new business concerned routine replacement of equipment. Under a cycled replacement pattern, a new solid waste Truck was approved for purchase for $369,770. A new contract for replacement of obsolete cameras at the 20 waste sites throughout the county was approved with Pineland for $134,995. A transfer of land at East Georgia Regional Airport in Swainsboro to the county Airport Authority was approved and the purchase of property on Mount Shady Road was approved for use as a new waste collection site. The final action of the evening by commissioners was discussion of an updated schedule for the repairs and/or resurfacing of Cowford Bridge Road. The motion to accept the expedited offer from GDOT was made by Commissioner John Moore, seconded by Commissioner Ricky Thompson and passed unanimously. This concluded the September meeting and Chairman Sherrod called for adjournment.