The Brantley County Board of Commissioners discussed/voted on the following agenda items during the Tuesday, March 3 work session and the Thursday, March 5 regular monthly meeting.
• Approval of March Agenda: Commissioners approved the agenda for the regular March meeting.
• Public Participation: Brantley County residents Robert Wilson and Kathy Wainright spoke during the Tuesday, March 3 work session against a proposed amendment to the Land Use Ordinance for a data center in Brantley County under “light industrial.” Wilson presented his findings on how a data center might impact Brantley County and Wainright sought a moratorium.
• Surplus Items – Recreation Department: A motion carried to declare surplus items in the Brantley County Recreation Department.
• 2025 Budget Amendments: Commissioners approved amendments to the 2025 budget.
• Adding Roth-Conversion to County Employee Retirement Plan: A Roth-conversion option was added to the county retirement plan. It will be a deferred compensation plan (457-401A).
Commissioner Randy Davison requested for county employees get a formal explanation of the difference between Roth-conversion and traditional plans.
County Manager Joey Cason responded, “Christine, who’s our representative from ACCG (Association County Commissioners of Georgia), will be able to go back and meet with all the folks now, especially the ones who are younger and would really benefit from that, but she’ll schedule those appointments.”
• Purchasing new SUV-E911: Commissioners approved the purchase of a new Ford Expedition SUV-SSV E911. The vehicle will be purchased from Dick Smith Ford for $54,602.
The payment will come from the EMS fund.
• Purchase eight New Flock Cameras – Sheriff’s Department: The Sheriff’s Department got approved for eight new Flock Cameras for a total of $24,000. They will be funded by the Sheriff Operational Budget.
Flock cameras are specialized, solar-powered Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) systems designed for law enforcement and private security to detect and analyze vehicles in real-time.
They use AI-driven Vehicle Fingerprint ™ technology to identify license plates, make, color, and unique vehicle details (like roof racks) to solve crimes, such as locating stolen vehicles or suspects, without using facial recognition.
• Approving Special Exception for Roll-Off Dumpster Business: A motion carried for Dustin Flowers to begin a new rolloff dumpster business off of Old Highway 32.
• Purchase of Fire Equipment: Commissioners approved the purchase of various fire equipment for the Nahunta Volunteer Fire Department, including hoses, pike poles and a fishhook for $32,069.40.
Funding will come out of the Nahunta Operating Budget.
• Purchase of 15 Sets of Turn-Out Gear: Nahunta, Hoboken and Calvary volunteer fire departments will receive the sets, and each community will contribute to the $52,775.85 total from their operating budgets.
• Purchase of Brush Fire Truck Skid: A motion carried for the purchase of a $12,570.50 brush truck fire skid using funds from the 50/50 Grant with Georgia Forestry.
• Purchase three sets of SCBA Gear: The purchase of three sets of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) gear from Ten-8 Fire and Safety was approved for $24,695.96, paid for out of the Fireworks Grant.
