Ware County commissioners approved qualifying fees for county elections among a mix of administrative, personnel, infrastructure and financial matters as they opened the new year’s cycle.
The meeting included recognition of the Employee of the Year, Adam Herrin, and Employee of the Month, Pamela Neely. Those honors were followed by annual appointments including the selection of the Vice-Chairman of the Board, Leonard Burse, and the Ex-Officio representative to the Waycross-Ware County Public Library, Barry Cox.
Commissioners in attendance for the Monday, January 13 meeting were Chairman Elmer Thrift along with Commissioners Leonard Burse, Barry Cox. and Timothy Lucas. Commissioner Jon Tindall was not present.
Also in attendance were County Manager James Shubert, County Clerk Melinda Brooks, and Assistant County Attorney Jennifer Herzog.
Setting the qualifying fees for county elections (County Commission, Board of Education, Solicitor General) was one of three resolutions approved by the commission.
The fee for District 1 and District 3 seats on the County Commission were set at $144. Commissioner Leonard Burse represents District 1 with Timothy Lucas representing District 3.
Three seats (Districts 4, 5, 6) on the Board of Education are up for election this year. The qualifying fee is $216.
Current sitting board members are Rusty Ganas (District 4), Wendell Bagley (District 5) and Brandi Waters (District 6).
The Solicitor General fee was approved at $1,714. Attorney Joseph R. Johnson, Jr., is currently serving in that capacity.
The second resolution authorized a Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) grant application in the amount of $129,185.
The application is with the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia (PAC) for federal funding from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) for federal fiscal year 2026.
The grant funds two staff members. No local match is required.
The third resolution approved a BOOST Grant (Building Opportunities in Out-of-School Time) of $45,000 for the Ware County Recreation Department.
The program, administered by the GaDOE and GSAN, provides funds for afterschool and summer learning programs to support K-12 student academics, well-being and learning recovery, prioritizing underserved youth and areas lacking existing state-funded programs.
Neely, the January 2026 Ware County Employee of the Month, was nominated by Human Resources Director Theresa Young.
The HR director’s nomination letter stated Neely, who works in the Building and Maintenance Department, “goes above and beyond her duties as a housekeeper. She is always willing to help staff members and citizens at any time, often rearranging or shuffling her own responsibilities to accommodate special requests without hesitation.
“Her flexibility, positive attitude and strong work ethic set her apart. She takes great pride in her work and ensures that all areas are clean, welcoming, and wellmaintained. Ms. Neely’s dedication, professionalism, and commitment to service make her truly deserving.
Other agenda items discuss/voted on:
• Commissioners approved a land lease agreement with Michael and Vickie Franklin for construction of a private aircraft hangar at the Waycross-Ware County Airport.
The 6,000-square-foot parcel will lease for $240 annually.
• The commission approved a contrct for a major infrastructure item with The Scruggs Company for Phase 2 of the 2025 LMIG/LRA (Local Maintenance & Improvement Grant/ Georgia Department of Transportation’s Local Road Activity) paving program.
The $657,638 contract covers improvements to Palmetto Drive, Lake Drive, Crystal Street, Dasher Street, Bennett Lane and Astoria Road. Funding comes from state LMIG allocations, leaving more than $715,000 remaining in the 2025 paving fund.
• Commissioners approved a proposal for a Trembling Earth Complex Master Plan focused on expanding pickleball facilities.
The cost to update the plan is $12,650 through LOSE DESIGN.
• The commission approved the re-appointments of Audra Padgett and Amelia Teston to the Board of Zoning and Appeals.
• Commissioners approved an alcohol license request for Abdul Tariq Tariq, who has purchased the convenience store located at 512 E. Waring Street.
• The commission approved the purchase of pipe for Public Works to have in inventory for driveway installations (new and replacements) and for other maintenance as needed.
The total cost of the pipe is $14,704.
• Commissioners approved a two percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for all county employees.
This brings the total COLA to five percent for the fiscal year.
• The County Manager informed the commission the County has a remaining balance of $715,843 in the 2025 LMIG (LARP) funds.
There was a proposal to finish some dirt roads in the Emerson Park area, but Shubert said he was recently in the area and saw flooding.
He recommended prior to construction, a detailed engineering review should evaluate drainage needs.
Addressing drainage during the design phase is critical to ensuring the longevity and effectiveness of the paved roads.
Commissioners agreed to use the funds in other areas of the county and come back to Emerson Park once the study is concluded and presented to the commission.
