Commissioners discuss county budgets and USDA grant

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by BRITTANY HALL

Members of the Emanuel County Board of Commissioners convened Monday, May 16, 2022, at 6 p.m. for their regularly scheduled monthly meeting at the county offices at the John C. Coleman Hotel Building. Commissioners present for the meeting were Jim Sherrod, Chairman; James Canady, Hugh Foskey, Desse Davis and Keith Thompson. Desse Davis gave the invocation and Commissioner Hugh Foskey led the pledge. Chairman Sherrod then called the meeting to order and welcomed guests and media.

Minutes

•Minutes were reviewed from the board’s regular meeting held April 18, 2022. Motioning for approval of minutes was Desse Davis, seconded by Hugh Foskey. All remaining board members voted to accept.

Public Comments

Board members heard a budget presentation from Middle Judicial Circuit District Attorney, Tripp Fitzner. He advised board members of no increase being made to the overall budget, due to increases and decreases seen in the decennial census within the 5-county circuit.

Fitzner advised the board that decreases were seen in Washington and Jefferson Counties with a drop from 21.41% to 20.72% in Washington and a drop from 17.11% to 16.28% in Jefferson. Candler County saw a slight increase in numbers, from 11.12% to 11.38%. Toombs county also increased from 27.52% to 28.02% while Emanuel County’s percentage of the circuit increased from 22.84% to 23.6% with an overall contribution increase of $6,618.69. “My overall budget is the same as last year.” Fitzner said during his presentation... “I haven’t asked for a dime more. However, the contribution of Emanuel County did go up by $6,618.69 for the year and that’s only because the census numbers have changed, and it wasn’t available last year. I’m not asking for an increase but there is a slight increase due to the nature of the census. I’m not responsible for the budgets of the superior courts or the public defenders but that should be reflected in their budgets too. Additionally, I would just like to say that I am personally very grateful for the support of the commissioners. This is my home, and it has been my home for over two decades. It’s a great place to live, I love being here and working here. I appreciate everything that yall do for us, it means a lot to me and the district attorney’s office.”

New Business

•County resident Frank Jones addressed Commissioners regarding deed ordinances to his property located on Scuffle Town Road. He questioned commissioners and the County Administrator, Guy Singletary as to why he could not deed over two acres of his land to his relative. Singletary explained to Mr. Jones that since his property did not have 200 feet of road frontage that his request for deeding over 2 acres from the back of his property is non-compliant with the County Codes, because there is no legal way for the property to have a second easement access. The legalities on the situation were briefly discussed and Jones was kindly referred to speak to a County Attorney or the Counties Code Enforcement Office for further action and discussion.

•Singletary presented a quote of $25,507.94 for the Counties road patches. He advised that the estimate was very difficult to obtain and the challenge to stay under $50,000 was crucial. The amount would ultimately fund seven patches within the county lines. All Board Members unanimously passed the request.

•James Craft addressed Commissioners with a USDA Public Safety Grant Letter of Conditions. Sheriff Brewer spoke on the benefits associated with the funding from the Grant that included a much-needed tire and drone system. Making motion to accept the Letter of Conditions for the USDA safety grant was Commissioner Desse Davis. Keith Thompson seconded the request and all remaining commissioners voted accordingly.

•Sheriff Brewer also discussed the percentage increase proposal that is currently in process for the SRO Contract with the schools for the upcoming school year.

With no further discussion to entertain, the meeting was adjourned.