By Jamie Gardner
The Appling County Commissioners held a meeting on Tuesday, November 3, at the Appling County Courthouse Annex building. During the meeting County Manager Lee Lewis made a recommendation to the commissioners to pave an additional portion of Barfield Break near the Fries Farms (Claxton Poultry) Feed Mill.
Commissioners approve paving extension on Barfield Break
Lewis shared that the company is expanding the mill located near Surrency and Fries Farms is spending approximately $27 million on the project and adding 18 jobs to the community. The manager added that there would be approximately 30-35 semi-trucks accessing the mill daily and the need to pave the extra portion of the road would be beneficial to the company. Lewis also stated that this would keep the county from having to repair the road constantly due to the semi truck traffic. County Road Project Manager Hayden Rozier and Lewis stated that they estimated the 800ft. of road paving extension would cost around $65,000.00.
Commissioner Daryl Edwards made a motion to pave the portion of the road and Commissioner Theodore Wilkerson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Other business
The commissioners receive two bids for a new lawnmower for the Appling County Recreation Department. The first bid was from Appling Motors for a Kubota Zero-Turn mower at a price of $12,300.00. The second bid was from Knight’s Saw for a Scag Zero-Turn mower at a price of $13,409.00. The commissioners approved the low bid from Appling Motors unanimously.
Manager Lewis discussed the possibility of offering a gym membership reimbursement to county employees as part of a new wellness program/initiative for the county. Lewis reported that he held a meeting recently with department heads and a major topic of discussion was health insurance and rising costs. The manager stated that the commissioners could approve a possible $30.00 monthly reimbursement to employees that go to an exercise gym at least three days per week as part of the wellness program. The commissioners asked Lewis to poll county employees to see how many would be interested in participating in this type of program. A commissioner also questioned how this would be policed to make sure employees are actually going to the gym. Lewis stated that most of the gyms in town now have computerized logs to keep track of customers entering the facilities.
The commissioners discussed possibly hiring an attendant at the Falling Parks Campground, located near Deen’s Landing. Lewis stated that the county has been having some issues with people vandalizing and not taking care of the park. Discussion ensued that a county sheriff’s deputy may be interested in moving a camper to the park and would reside at the park. The commissioners asked Lewis to check with the deputy further.
Roads and buildings and grounds
Manager Lewis and Rozier reported to the commissioners that Atlanta Gas Light would be burying natural gas lines in the county in the coming months. It was reported that the company would bury approximately 27 miles of replacement and new line and bring in at least 60 employees for the project.
Rozier reported that paving should begin in the next week on South Main Street in Surrency, Jeffery Turner Road and Hunter Road. He also reported that work on a bridge on Ten Mile Road would begin soon. Commissioner Wilkerson asked Rozier about progress on Henry Thomas Road and Rozier told Wilkerson that the county is still waiting on surveys.
Commissioner Sarah Boatright asked Lewis about the status of the new Appling County Health Department building. Lewis reported that work should begin in late November or early December. The manager also reported that it would be January 2016 before bidding takes place on the new Concerted Services/Head Start building.
The commissioners entered into an executive session for personnel reasons. Following the session Lewis reported that no action would be taken as a result of the closed session.
Commissioner Daryl Edwards made a motion to pave the portion of the road and Commissioner Theodore Wilkerson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Other business
The commissioners receive two bids for a new lawnmower for the Appling County Recreation Department. The first bid was from Appling Motors for a Kubota Zero-Turn mower at a price of $12,300.00. The second bid was from Knight’s Saw for a Scag Zero-Turn mower at a price of $13,409.00. The commissioners approved the low bid from Appling Motors unanimously.
Manager Lewis discussed the possibility of offering a gym membership reimbursement to county employees as part of a new wellness program/initiative for the county. Lewis reported that he held a meeting recently with department heads and a major topic of discussion was health insurance and rising costs. The manager stated that the commissioners could approve a possible $30.00 monthly reimbursement to employees that go to an exercise gym at least three days per week as part of the wellness program. The commissioners asked Lewis to poll county employees to see how many would be interested in participating in this type of program. A commissioner also questioned how this would be policed to make sure employees are actually going to the gym. Lewis stated that most of the gyms in town now have computerized logs to keep track of customers entering the facilities.
The commissioners discussed possibly hiring an attendant at the Falling Parks Campground, located near Deen’s Landing. Lewis stated that the county has been having some issues with people vandalizing and not taking care of the park. Discussion ensued that a county sheriff’s deputy may be interested in moving a camper to the park and would reside at the park. The commissioners asked Lewis to check with the deputy further.
Roads and buildings and grounds
Manager Lewis and Rozier reported to the commissioners that Atlanta Gas Light would be burying natural gas lines in the county in the coming months. It was reported that the company would bury approximately 27 miles of replacement and new line and bring in at least 60 employees for the project.
Rozier reported that paving should begin in the next week on South Main Street in Surrency, Jeffery Turner Road and Hunter Road. He also reported that work on a bridge on Ten Mile Road would begin soon. Commissioner Wilkerson asked Rozier about progress on Henry Thomas Road and Rozier told Wilkerson that the county is still waiting on surveys.
Commissioner Sarah Boatright asked Lewis about the status of the new Appling County Health Department building. Lewis reported that work should begin in late November or early December. The manager also reported that it would be January 2016 before bidding takes place on the new Concerted Services/Head Start building.
The commissioners entered into an executive session for personnel reasons. Following the session Lewis reported that no action would be taken as a result of the closed session.
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