At a called meeting held on Tuesday, May 26, Appling County Public Works Director Tommy Davis reported to the Appling County Commissioners an ongoing issue with county-owned roadways. Davis explained that timber companies, as well as farmers, are continuing to cause damage to roads. The director stated that this problem is costing the county and taxpayers a tremendous amount of money when the county has to repair the damage.

Davis reported that on one particular road the county had made repairs to a damaged portion of the roadway by hauling in fill dirt. He added that after checking the road a few days later the county shop discovered that an individual had removed the dirt from the road. Davis asked the commissioners for direction as to how the county can start accessing a potential fine against companies or individuals that destroy county roadways.

County Attorney Bob Highsmith stated that the county has a statute in place already and would simply need to start enforcing the statute. The attorney also suggested that the commission consider contacting the Georgia Environmental Protection Division when the destruction of a roadway causes dirt runoff into streams and wetlands, citing that when the county paves a road it has to take precautions to keep silt from going into waterways.

The commissioners agreed to start looking at ways to hold companies or people that destroy county-owned roads responsible. Commissioner Theodore Wilkerson also pointed out that the county now has a timber ordinance in place that could offer some protection as well.

Other business

Board members discussed the management of the Community Center located behind the Baxley City Gym.

After being presented several options, the commissioners agreed to proceed with the demolition of the old Dr. Bedingfield Building, located on Tippins Street. A second option presented for consideration was to remodel the building, but after considerable discussion the majority of board members stated that it would not be feasible to remodel the building. It was noted that if the building were to be remodeled it would need to be handicap accessible and an elevator would have to be installed to access the top floor of the building. Commissioners Theodore Wilkerson, Ronnie Rentz and Sarah Boatright voted in favor of tearing down the building and John Tillman and Charlie Leggett abstained.

Board members granted approval to start the bidding process for a new bulldozer for the county landfill.

Board Chairman Virgil Carter stated that a citizen had asked him about landing a sea/hydroplane at Lake Mayers and asked the board their feelings on the matter. Attorney Highsmith told board members that whoever owns the lakebed has the right to allow users. He also pointed out that right-of-way would go to swimmers, boaters, etc. before it would go to the plane. Other comments were made that the lake would need to be shutdown and that the county would be responsible for notifying property owners and the public of a date and time that the plane would be landing on the lake. After discussing the matter further the board agreed that it would be too much of a liability risk and decided to not allow the landing of a hydroplane on Lake Mayers.

County Manager Lee Lewis also brought up an issue with drinking and fighting at Lake Mayers. Lewis said he received an email from a lady from Pierce County that uses the lake annually for a family gathering that expressed concern about drinking and fighting at the public-use facility. Lewis stated that law enforcement was called to the facility and several arrests were made. The commission agreed to continue to allow state and local law enforcement to patrol the area as the best solution to the problem.

Georgia Forestry Commission representative Jeff Farris spoke to board members about county-owned timberland management. The commissioners had asked Farris to look at several tracts of timberland. Farris reported that some of the property needs thinning and in a few years, some would need to be clear-cut. Chairman Carter asked Farris if he would serve on a committee as an advisor with Commissioner Tillman and Manager Lewis and he agreed.

Manager Lewis informed board members that the annual contribution to GEBCorp (county employee benefit plan/retirement) is due. Lewis stated that due to a down economy GEBCorp is recommending that the county invest $441,000.00 into the plan for FY2010. The county would be required to invest $283,000.00, but Lewis warned that if the county only did the minimum, the required amount could be much higher in future years. The board contributed $330,000.00 in FY2009. The board agreed to go with the recommended amount of $441,000.00 for FY2010.

FY2010 Budget

Chairman Carter stated that the FY2010 Budget is fast approaching and that it is time to start working on the budget. The chairman suggested that the board consider following the lead of other governments and look at doing away with all non-essential items. Carter also stated that the board needed to look at each county department’s bottom line. “We do not know what revenues will be like going into next year,” said Carter.

Manager Lewis reported that he would like to see the county keep the budget at the same level or a little less in order to keep from raising the millage rate. He added that he would be meeting with each department head to go through department budgets individually.