The Brantley County Board of Commissioners discussed/ voted on the following agenda items during the Tuesday, June 2 work session and the Thursday, June 4 regular monthly meeting.
• Public Hearing – Proposed road abandonment: A nine-minute public hearing concerning a proposal to close Laura Walker Road saw two speakers for and three speakers against the road closure.
While those in favor reported an increase in residents dumping trash and sewage in the area, as well as unsafe road conditions, those against said they regularly use the road. They added a special exception should not be made for Laura Walker Road, when several others in the county are in a similar state.
The Board of Commissioners agreed to add the proposal to Thursday’s agenda for consideration.
• Public participation: Brantley County residents spoke out about their concerns, including government transparency, data centers, removal of RV restrictions and more.
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∞ A CSX representative presented a monthly progress update to the board for various projects, including a construction agreement on Rich Hill Road.
If the board moves forward with the construction agreement, they anticipate it will be paid for out of TIA 2. TIA (Transportation Investment Act) reimbursements will begin in 2027, so the project is slated to move forward in the September- October timeframe.
∞ A Central Avenue resurfacing plan was also discussed, with LRA (Local Road Administration) funding for this project in the amount of $912,003.16. The funding will go toward the first phase of Central Avenue Reservation, expected to span from the Ware County line to Hagan Road, possibly Bennett Road.
The anticipated cost is around $890,000, with room for possible fluctuation.
∞ Invitations to bid went out last week (Thursday, June 4). They are due the beginning of July. The forecasted completion period is 2027-28.
∞ The final item pertained to resurfacing Knox Road, a project that was delayed due to the ongoing relocation of winning bidder, Scruggs Concrete, to their new operational plant.
The long-awaited project is slated to begin Thursday, June 10.
• Approval of June agenda: Commissioners approved the agenda for the regular June meeting.
• Annual Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Dawn Deen – Family Connections: Commissioners, on a motion by Commissioner Randy Davison and a second by Commissioner Brian Hendrix, unanimously approved the MOU with Family Connections.
• Sales contract for Tublar Building Systems for new building at rec department: Commissioners unanimously approved the price of $137,530 from Tublar Building Systems for a new building to be paid for through the recreation department supplies.
Commissioner Hendrix made the motion with Commissioner Andy Riggins giving a second.
• Approval of fuel payment to Lewis & Raulerson for the Hwy. 82 wildfires: Commissioner Riggins made a motion approving a fuel payment to Lewis & Raulerson for the Hwy. 82 fires out of the general fund to include the most recent bill for $19,001.55.
Commissioner Davison seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
• Approval of Government Annex funds: The commission, on a motion from Commissioner Hendrix and a second by Commissioner Davison, unanimously approved additional funding in the amount of $173,277 for the Government Annex Building.
• Construction agreement from CSX for the Britt Still Road project: Commissioners unanimously approved the motion of Commissioner Davison and a second by Commissioner Hal Herndon for a construction agreement with CSX in the amount of $131,266 for the Britt Still Road project.
• 2026 ACCG IRMA Insurance Premium: Commissioner Riggins’ motion to approve the 2026 ACCG Irma insurance premium in the amount of $317,606 was seconded by Commissioner Hendrix and unanimously approved.
• Approval of Southern Concrete payment: The commission unanimously approved the motion of Commissioner Hendrix and second by Commissioner Herndon for a $68,049 payment to Southern Concrete for the new annex building, paid for out of SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) funds.
• Approval of payment to Last Chance Garage: The board unanimously voted to approve an $18,000 payment to Last Chance Garage for work done at the Hwy. 82 Fire, paid from the general fund.
Commissioner Davison made the motion with Commissioner Riggins giving a second.
This payment is also subject to reimbursement in the FMAG (Fire Management Assistance Grants) declaration.
• Annual Kofile for the Clerk of Superior Court: Commissioners approved the annual Kofile for the Clerk of Superior Court, amounting of $13,890.
Commissioner Davision made the motion with Commissioner Hendrix giving the second.
Funds will be paid for out of the Capital Projects budget.
• Approval of payment to Mark’s Auto Collision: Commissioner Riggins made a motion, with a second from Commissioner Hendrix, for the payment of $12,126.19 to Mark’s Auto and Collision Incorporated for repairs to a Brantley County Sheriff’s Office truck for damage after striking a deer.
Funding will be paid from the Sheriff's Accidents Fund. Of that amount, $2,126.19 will be reimbursed to the county by ACCG.
• Planning Commission for Land Rezoning: The board unanimously approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission to move forward with the rezoning of the current Development Authority land in the Industrial Park from Agricultural to Heavy Industrial.
Commissioner Riggins made the motion with Commissioner Davison giving the second.
A public hearing for the change will be announced.
• Laura Walker Road Closure: Commissioners voted to approve the closure of Laura Walker Road.
Commissioner Davison made the motion for the closure with Commissioner Herndon giving the second.
Commissioner Hendrix asked the applicants if they were going to be responsible for barricading the road up. The response was gates would be erected at both ends.
• Ending of countywide State of Emergency: Commissioner Davison made a motion to end the county-wide State of Emergency with the Hwy. 82 Fire 95% contained with Commissioner Hendrix seconding the motion. The motion unanimously passed.
• Ending of countywide burn restrictions: Commissioner Hendrix made a motion to end the county-wide burn restriction with a second from Commissioner Herndon.
During the discussion, County Manager Joey Cason said Chris Carter of the Georgia Foresty and the local volunteer fire chiefs were in agreeance.
Cason added Carter told him he felt like there was enough moisture in the ground right now to basically remove the fire restrictions.
Commissioners want citizens to know if they have any large piles or any major issues, they need to contact forestry and the local fire department before they burn anything.
• Executive Session: Commissioners entered into a 23-minute executive session returning with a “no action taken” comment.
