The Appling County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, February 17 for a regular scheduled meeting. The board discussed several items and among the topics were more renovations to the Ernest J. Parker Recreation Park. The improvements include lighting for the walking track at a price of $13,460.00, landscaping around the multi-purpose building (no price given), and an addition to the parking lot at a cost of $2,200.00. Commissioner Theodore Wilkerson made a motion to move forward with the renovations and Commissioner Ronnie Rentz seconded the motion. During discussion Commissioner Charlie Leggett stated that the county needed to finish existing projects at the park before moving ahead with new projects. Commissioner Wilkerson questioned why the county needed to delay these projects and Commissioner Leggett said that he is not saying delay the projects, just make certain county gets one project completed before moving forward to another project. Chairman Virgil Carter called for a vote on the motion and Commissioners Wilkerson, Rentz and John Tillman voted in favor of the motion and Leggett voted against the motion. (Commissioner Sarah Boatright was not at the meeting.)

Other business

The commission approved a motion to proceed with the process of abandoning Hamm Road, Lee Woods Road, Coral Road and Glenn Aycock Road.

County Manager Lee Lewis reported to the commissioners that the Community Building, located behind the Baxley City Gym, is currently without a rental manager. Lewis stated that Concerted Services has requested to be in charge of renting the facility and also be allowed to accumulate the rental proceeds from the facility. The commissioners approved the request as long as Concerted Services maintains the building.

The commissioners approved a request from the Surrency Fire Department to make repairs to a fire truck in the amount of $1,438.09. Commissioner Tillman stated that the department needed to check to see if there is any remaining warranty on this truck. The commissioners also agreed to assist the Surrency Department in renovations to the existing fire department building. The estimated cost of renovations is $15,000.00.

Public Works Director Tommy Davis reported to the commission that he has received notification of the type of repairs needed on one of several bridges in the community that has been closed by the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT). He recommended that the county hold off making repairs to the bridge until the county receives all correspondence from DOT on all of the bridges that need repairs. Davis stated that this could save the county money.

Davis also expressed concern to the commission about priorities. He stated that several months ago the county manager came up with a needs request. He further stated that the county road department receives a number of requests from the commissioners and citizens and this makes it difficult to prioritize and keep employees on task. As an example he stated that when the department has to stop one project to go do another project it makes it difficult to get work accomplished in a timely manner. Commissioner Leggett stated that projects in the county need to be prioritized by Lewis and Davis. Davis stated that the process would work a lot better if requests went through the county manager.