A regular monthly meeting of the Appling County Board of Commissioners was held on Tuesday, November 4, and the board again tabled any action on a new solid waste collection contract with Sullivan Environmental. Sullivan had submitted a proposed contract to the commission for possible approval, but the commissioners tabled the matter citing that more time to study the contract was needed before approval.

Commissioner Mike Dyal asked board Chairman Virgil Carter if the board could meet on Tuesday, Nov. 11 and really focus on the matter. Carter and other board members agreed.

County Manager Mike Phillips suggested that the commissioners give some thought to possibly raising the cost of collection for customers. The current cost of collection is $12.75.

Other business

Concerted Services Director Ophelia Gaines requested that the commissioners help the program with the replacement or repair of the heating and air conditioning at its facility. Gaines reported that since the heating unit had gone out, Concerted Services has been using space heaters to keep clients warm. She also stated that they had received bids from one contractor to repair the unit or replace it. The commissioners asked Gaines if she could get more bids and then contact the county manager to let him know the lowest price. Gaines said that she would get to work on getting more bids the next day. The director also reported that Concerted Services has a $1,309,000.00 impact on Appling County through its programs and payroll and expressed her appreciation to the commissioners for their support.

The commissioners approved the GEBCORP annual recommended contribution to the county’s benefit/retirement plan. The cost of the contribution is $323,598.00.

The commissioners agreed to set the board meeting dates and times for 2009 as the same as 2008. Board meetings are held on the first and third Tuesday of each month with public participation starting at 5:30 p.m. followed by the regular meeting at 6:00 p.m.

Commissioner Sarah Boatright told board members that a number of county employees had asked if the commissioners would consider moving the county’s Christmas vacation days from Wednesday, Dec. 24 and Thursday, Dec. 25 to Thursday, Dec. 25 and Friday, Dec. 26. After a brief discussion, Boatright made a motion (seconded by Dyal) to grant the request. The motion passed unanimously.

After considerable discussion with Public Works Director Tommy Davis, the commissioners agreed to move forward with the bidding process for the paving of Vernon Williams Road. The estimated cost of the paving project is $170,000.00.

Commissioner Boatright made motion to increase the annual employee Christmas bonus to $100.00 per employee, excluding elected officials. Commissioner Theodore Wilkerson seconded the motion. Boatright and Wilkerson voted in favor of the motion. Commissioners Dyal and Tillman opposed the motion. Commissioner Rentz abstained citing he would like to discuss the matter further before making a decision. This set up a tiebreaker vote for Chairman Virgil Carter and he abstained citing that he would like more time to think about the recommendation. Commissioner Tillman stated that county employees had received a three percent cost of living increase this year and he would like to keep the bonus the same as last year. The commissioners gave each employee a $25.00 bonus last year.

At the close of the meeting, Chairman Carter stated that he would now be requiring board members to present their requests for executive sessions in writing so that it can be reviewed by him and County Attorney Bob Highsmith to make certain that the reason given for an executive session conforms to Georgia Sunshine Law for closing a public meeting.