The Emanuel County Commissioners held their regular monthly meeting Monday March 16, 2026, at the Emanuel County Courthouse. All commissioners were present along with County Administrator Guy Singletary, County Clerk Halei Lamb, and County Attorney Richard McNeely. Commission Chairman Jim Sherrod opened the meeting at 6:00 P.M. Following an invocation and the pledge of allegiance, Mrs. Lisa Parhan spoke in the public comments section of the meeting agenda and addressed members regarding a local business that has recently located in the area. In her remarks, Mrs. Parham expressed her feeling that Clean Spark Bitcoin Mining Facility on Scarboro Church Road posed a threat of environmental as well as operational hazard adversely affecting the quality of life in the Scarboro Church Road and Twin City area. She continued by citing other well-known problems with these types of businesses including the high level of electricity consumed, excessive carbon emissions and resulting noise and the possibility of thermal pollution of nearby water sources. Mrs. Parham requested that the commissioners look into the situation. Her comments and concern were acknowledged by Chairman Sherrod and the commissioners.
Under new business, the commissioners discussed the issue of motor graders and the options available for maintaining the efficiency and operational capability of the equipment. Following discussion, it was agreed the best choice was that the county continue to lease new graders and a motion to adopt a new seven-year lease on needed motor graders was passed. In a request from the Emanuel County Joint Development Authority, assistance was sought to enter into an agreement to continue support of the authority with regard to future recruitment of industry to locate here. In light of the recent decision of a manufacturer to come to Emanuel County, commissioners passed a motion to continue its support of the authority. Also under new business, Administrator Singletary advised commissioners of the need to update finance policies of the county. Explaining the need as procedural adjustments that would simplify processes, Singletary requested passage of a motion to address this issue. Commissioners voted unanimously to pass the motion. The next item under new business was discussion of a proposal to provide additional services for healthcare for inmates incarcerated in Emanuel County. Following discussion of the issue and with input from Sheriff Jeffrey Brewer, commissioners voted to accept a proposal for these services from East Georgia Healthcare. This exhausted the meeting agenda.
Administrator Singletary wrapped up the meeting with a brief report on the status of various construction projects the county currently was involved in. The plans and construction documents for the Coleman Office Building will be released by the end of this week. Projects at the Emanuel County Recreation Complex are moving along with the new swimming pool estimated to be completed later this year. Singletary also commented on the large amount of paving and road repair projects that will be accomplished in the coming months throughout the county. Following this, the meeting was adjourned.
