The Ware County Board of Commissioners approved a revised airport runway contract, several road and service agreements, multiple zoning and subdivision regulation amendments, and other business during a Monday, October 12, 2026, regular meeting.
All items passed unanimously except a resolution raising the county’s purchasing-card credit limit, which Commissioner Barry Cox opposed.
Chairman Elmer Thrift conducted the meeting with Commissioners Leonard Burse, Jon Tindall and Cox present. Commissioner Timothy Lucas was absent.
Also present were County Manager James Shubert, County Clerk Melinda Brooks, and Assistant County Attorney Jennifer Herzog.
The sole split vote came on a resolution increasing the county’s Ameris Bank purchasing- card monthly credit limit from $200,000 to $400,000.
The measure passed with Commissioner Cox voting “no”. County staff had noted the county was regularly approaching the existing limit during normal monthly operations.
• Rehabilitation of Runway 1/19 at the Waycross-Ware County Airport: Commissioners approved a revised contract with East Coast Asphalt, LLC, for rehabilitation of Runway 1/19 in the amount of $1,692,726.
The original bid had been $1,731,196. After federal funding delays and higher fuel costs, the contractor requested an additional $70,875, while Bid Additive No. 1 ($109,345) was removed.
The revised total is $38,470 below the original award. Ware County’s local share under the updated funding arrangement is $42,318.15, with the State of Georgia covering remaining additional costs.
• Statewide Engineering, LLC agreement for engineering services for road and drainage improvements in the Gilchrist Park community: The commission approved an agreement with Statewide Engineering, LLC, for $466,735 in engineering services for road and drainage improvements in the Gilchrist Park community using Transportation Investment Act (TIA 2) funds.
The work covers segments of Conway, Creswell, Montgomery, Prescott, Tazewell,and Walker roads (Gibbs Lane engineering is under a separate contract).
• Contract to improve approximately two miles of Gooding Bay Road: Commissioners approved a contract with Thrift Brothers Construction, LLC, for $818,743.78 to improve approximately two miles of Gooding Bay Road beginning at Valdosta Highway was approved.
The project, funded with SPLOST (Special Local Option Sales Tax) monies, includes triple surface treatment over a soil-cement base.
Thrift Brothers submitted the lowest of three bids.
• Residential garbage collection services contract: The board approved a contract with Ryland Environmental for residential garbage collection beginning January 1, 2027.
Sealed proposals had been opened August 4, and the firm was previously selected.
• County’s five-year Hazard Mitigation Plan: Commissioners approved an agreement with the Southern Georgia Regional Commission to update the county’s five-year Hazard Mitigation Plan.
A GEMSHA (Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency) grant of covers most of the costs. The county’s share is $8,731.20 and can be reduced by in-kind services.
• MOU with Dr. Clay Lee: A memorandum of understanding with Dr. Clay Lee, D.O., to serve as Medical Director for Ware County EMS.
• Additionally purchased EMS equipment: Commissioners approved the addition of recently purchased EMS equipment (power loaders, LUCAS devices, stair chairs, and a stretcher) to the existing Stryker maintenance agreement at a cost of $8,226.94, providing coverage through September 2027.
• Beer and wine offpremises consumption license: The board approved a beer and wine off-premises consumption license for Pump Right LLC at 1984 South Georgia Parkway West.
Applicant Tridipkumar Chiman Bhai Patel met county requirements.
• Waycross-Ware County Development Authority Board Seat 1: Commissioners approved the reappointment of Dan Good to Seat 1 on the Waycross-Ware County Development Authority Board for a term beginning January 1, 2027 and ending December 31, 2030.
• Senior Citizen Daycare Program discontinued: The board discussed the Senior Citizen Daycare Program at the Nelson Greene Center, operated by McKinney Medical Center.
McKinney has notified the county it will discontinue the program effective June 30, 2027. Monthly operating costs are listed at $11,604.06.
The program currently provides 101 meals (44 congregate and 57 homedelivered).
• Public Hearing items: The Waycross-Ware County Planning Commission, (which voted unanimously on September 10, 2026), made recommendations to the county commissioners which were approved.
∞ A text amendment reducing the required access width for flag lots from 30 feet to 25 feet.
∞ Amendments to the definition of “Subdivision” and new definitions for “Simple Subdivision,” “Combination,” and “Recombination.”
∞ A zoning resolution text amendment reducing the required size of public hearing notice signs from 7 square feet to 3 square feet, along with minor formatting changes to the notice text.
∞ Rezoning of 3190 Smith Drive (parcel 050 04 020) from Limited Industrial to General Industrial with a conditional use for a transfer station, part of a Ryland Environmental expansion that will include a business office and weigh station.
∞ Rezoning of parcels 051C06 007 and 051C06 011 from R-75 Residential to C-3 General Commercial to house construction offices for the upcoming State Street Overpass project.
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