The Brantley County Board of Commissioners discussed/ voted on the following agenda items during the Thursday, May 7 regular monthly meeting.
• Public Hearing – Joint Comprehensive Plan Proposal: A public hearing concerning Brantley County’s five-year comprehensive plan was hosted by James Horton of Southern Georgia Regional Commission (SGRC).
Horton briefly described the contents of the 138page plan, including sections on community policies, demographics, and land use. He assured the public the full document would be available for review at www.sgrc.us.
Horton said residents of Brantley County are “absolutely welcome to comment on anything that’s in (the comprehensive plan proposal). If it seems like something we should include in the plan, I’ll bring it back to the commissioners and have them look over it. That’s what this is all about — you being able to have a part in the planning process.” Those with questions concerning the proposal can contact Horton directly at [email protected].
• Approval of May agenda: Commissioners approved the agenda for the regular May meeting.
• Submitting Joint Comprehensive Plan Proposal: A motion carried to submit the proposed Joint Comprehensive Plan to Department of Community Affairs Georgia for review.
• Opening of New Grant Fund account: Commissioners approved the opening of a new account through PrimeSouth Bank. This account will house any grant funds the county receives.
• Purchasing equipment for airport: Payment for the lighting and equipment repair work done by TCA Electrical Contractors was approved for $18,439.75, sourced from the county’s airport budget.
With this update, Brantley County Airport is now compliant with GDOT Aviation and FAA standards.
• Purchasing updated fire gear: A motion carried for the Hoboken Volunteer Fire Department to receive various fire equipment through Ten-8 Fire Safety for $12,492.07.
It will be paid for out of the Hoboken VFD budget.
• Supporting cost of fire engine fuel: Commissioners approved fuel costs from Lewis & Raulerson for support received during the Highway 82 fire, paid for out of the supplies budget.
In addition to fuel, the $89,628.11 amount supports tire replacement and engine repair.
• Purchasing Enforcer unit for brush truck: A motion carried to approve the purchase of an Enforcer 30 SKID unit with 4500 SCBA adapter from North American Fire Equipment for $13,099.
It will be paid out of the Nahunta Volunteer Fire Department budget.
• Purchasing gas tanks: Commissioners approved the purchase of 34 SCBA tanks from Ten-8 Fire and Safety for $49,258.52 for the Nahunta VFD.
• County Manager report: County Manager Joey Cason reported news about recent wildfires.
“As of today (May 7), the (Highway 82) fire was 85 percent contained with no growth,” Cason told commissioners. “The hope is we may be at 90% containment by tomorrow.
“I met with a new incident management group. They are in the process of combining this incident management group with the Pineland Fire, so we will have one consolidated incident management team going forward.”
Cason said a new website was created to support Brantley County’s needs during recovery. Hwy82firerecovery.com provides essential information for those in need of financial, emotional, or physical assistance, and serves as a means to contact the county with questions and concerns regarding the fire.
• Executive session: Commissioners entered an executive session concerning personnel, legal, and real estate matters.
Southern Georgia Regional Commission’s James Horton presents the Joint Comprehensive Plan Proposal. Photo By MALLAN GILL
