Ware County Board of Commissioners worked through a full slate of business during their work session, a public hearing and regular monthly meeting last week.
Road projects, State Patrol funding and a request to close Pine Hill Street dominated the Monday, February 9 afternoon meetings. There was also a series of citizen concerns ranging from cemetery upkeep to canal maintenance.
In attendance were Chairman Elmer Thrift, Commissioners Leonard Burse, Barry Cox, Timothy Lucas and Jon Tindall. Also in attendance were County Manager James Shubert, County Clerk Melinda Brooks, Assistant Clerk Melissa Bennett, and Assistant County Attorney Jennifer Herzog.
Commissioners opened the afternoon work session by reviewing estimates for paving county roads and discussing funding for the new Georgia State Patrol Post 22, both listed on the agenda.
County Manager James Shubert updated the board on several ongoing infrastructure projects including:
• Bridge progress in Bickley, which continues on schedule
• Ossie Davis Overpass, where Commissioner Burse pressed for a timeline. Shubert estimated two years for completion
• Albany Avenue Overpass, still in the planning and right-of-way phase
• Water line coordination, with “nothing yet from the city” on next steps Commissioners also heard from citizens and addressed several community concerns: Chief Appraiser Billy Carter thanked the board for the recent raise.
• Chairman Thrift urged canals be cleaned while water levels are low, and Shubert confirmed the work had already begun.
• Commissioner Cox raised questions about the Telmore Cemetery, noting the Church of Christ Written in Heaven once held the deed but has since dissolved. The cemetery now needs cleanup, and ownership is unclear.
• similar concerns at Red Hill Cemetery.
Public Hearing
Commissioners responded to a request to close or abandon Pine Hill Street. Landowners on either side of the street are Terry Luke and Transformation Church, represented by Pastor Shane Barber.
The Pine Hill Street abandonment request was unanimously approved at the regular meeting.
Regular meeting
Commissioners discussed judges’ pay, road paving and Georgia State Patrol funding.
Commissioners heard from Superior Court Judge Jeffery Kight, who addressed concerns about judicial locality pay. Commissioners Burse and Thrift said they had different information than presented. No action was taken as a called meeting with County Attorney Jennifer Herzog had been scheduled February 12.
Road paving lists
This list of county roads for paving were presented to commissioners along with the estimated costs for paving.
• Folks Bennet Road (including Indian Mound Road): $593,835.42
• Solomon Street (including 4th Avenue and South Avenue): $531,481.79
• Neal Penland Road (including Brenton Lane, Faith Lane, Myles Lane, and Cindy Lane): $625,544.91
• Hayes Road: $912,069.08
• Will Cox Road: $497,810.08
• Gooding Bay Road (2 miles extending from Valdosta Highway): $679,554.33 After much discussion, the following plan of action was adopted: All roads except for Neal Penland Road and Hayes Road will proceed with the design phase. Commissioner Cox is to gather more information about Neal Penland Road before proceeding to design. Hayes Road was scratched from this list.
Shubert recommended Gooding Bay Road, Folks Bennett Road and Will Cox Road be paved first.
GSP Post 22 funding The board approved the county’s commitment of funding for construction of the new State Patrol post, a major infrastructure and public-safety investment.
State Representative James Burchett inquired whether Ware County could pledge $300,000 toward the construction of a new Georgia State Patrol Post. He indicated if Ware County committed to this amount, he would request $2.7 million in funding from the State of Georgia.
Ware County has already pledged two acres of property on Fulford Road for the project. According to the Ware County Board of Assessors, the value of the property is $26,136.
Previously, the county approved a letter of intent committing up to $1.5 million toward the construction of a State Patrol Post.
If the proposed arrangement is approved, Ware County's total commitment would be reduced to the donation of the land and a $300,000 financial contribution.
The meeting closed with commissioner remarks, echoing several concerns raised earlier in the day, including infrastructure timelines and cemetery maintenance.
