Commissioners hear from Norristown area

The regular meeting of the Emanuel County Board of Commissioners was called to order Monday evening, May 19, at 6 p.m. by Chairman Jim Sherrod. In attendance were County Administrator Singletary, County Clerk Lamb, County Attorney McNeely, and Commissioners Kwame Coleman, Timmy Oliver, John Moore and Ricky Thompson. Following a welcome by Chairman Sherrod and an invocation offered by Mr. McNeely, Commissioner Oliver led in the Pledge of Allegiance. In the first order of business, the minutes of the May 12, 2025, workshop meeting and the regular meeting of April 21, 2025, were presented and approved. Under Public Comments, a well-represented group of citizens from the west side of the county addressed concerns they have centered around the waste collection site near Norristown. George McNure spoke for the group and cited problems with stray animals, offending conditions created by noise, health and safety issues and unauthorized dumping by out-of-county individuals. The group also requested that a road closure previously brought to the commission be considered once again as a possible aid in solving the current problems. It was also suggested that the waste site be moved. Chairman Sherrod thanked the group for attending and advised that the commission would address the group’s concerns and respond accordingly. Next, Doug Claxton, Chief of the local unit of the Georgia Forestry Commission, brought the Board the annual report from his agency. Claxton reviewed a detailed summation of the activities of the local unit commenting that 2024 was an extremely busy year with numerous destructive natural events, most notably, Hurricane Helene. Claxton reviewed the acres burned and otherwise impacted and asked citizens to be aware of the rules and regulations regarding controlled burning. In New Business, Administrator Singletary updated Commissioners on the 2025 Emergency LMIG road project bids. The low bidder for the upcoming project was Sikes Brothers with a figure of $525,762.25 In the 2025 regular LMIG project, the low bidder was also Sikes Brothers with a low bid of $1,376,731. These projects would be funded by the Department of Transportation for needed repairs on various roadways, as well as bridge repairs that will make possible the reopening of several roads in the county temporarily closed following episodes of destructive flooding in recent months. Roadway considerations were also the subject of the next item which was the request by a local business for the Board to consider relocation of approximately one quarter of a mile in the current route design of Bishop Chapel Road. This change would alleviate problems currently being experienced with business operations and would be paid for by the business itself. A motion was made and passed to allow for consideration of the proposal pending preparation of a formal agreement acceptable by the county. In the next issue, bids were opened for pest control for county properties. Parrish Pest Control submitted the low bid of $10,146 for the annual contract and was approved by unanimous vote. The final issue of the evening was discussion of a new software contract for the Tax Commissioner’s office. Administrator Singletary reported to the Board that the current software was obsolete and in need of upgrading as per request from the Tax Commissioner’s office. Commissioners agreed and voted to approve the purchase of the updated software at a cost of $25,000. Following this, the regular agenda for the May meeting was concluded.