Meadows hired as EMA director
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On Tuesday, January 20, the Appling County Board of Commissioners held a called meeting. The invocation was given by Mr. Joe Taylor, and County Manager Reid Lovett lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. After the pledge, the commissioners unanimously adopted the agenda for the meeting.
The first item discussed was the appointment of the new EMA director. Lovett stated that current director Darrell Holcomb will be retiring at the end of the month, and in knowing this, the county advertised the position and held interviews. After conducting all of the interviews, the interview panel agreed to recommend former County Manager Al Meadows as the new EMA director. Commissioner Randy Sellers made the motion to move forward with the panel’s recommendation and was seconded by commissioner Jakharis Jones. The vote was unanimous for appointing Meadows as the new EMA director.
The next item discussed was the potential land purchase for the property located at 1205 West Parker St., the former Buddy’s Furniture building, and convert the property to be the new county courthouse. Commissioner Sellers stated after what has been talked at the previous meetings about the property and having time to think on the matter, he was not in favor for purchasing the property at this time. Commissioner Ricky Barnes agreed with Sellers and said that if there was a solid plan for the property then he might would be in favor for the purchase. Commissioner Jones liked the idea of purchasing the property with having the open plan for the building currently there, was still a good location, and could potentially provide better parking for the courthouse. Before making a motion Commissioner Daryl Edwards asked if Lovett met with any contractors to see if the current building could meet the needs for a potential new courthouse? Lovett stated that he has met with contractors, and it could meet the requirements of a new courthouse but would cost 2.3 to 2.5 million dollars in renovations for what the county is needing in the courthouse. The total cost for the acquisition of the property and renovations would be $3,750,00.00 to $3,950,000.00. After hearing all of the information, Sellers made the motion to decline the purchase, and Barnes made the second. The vote was 4-1 with Jones not in favor of declining the purchase.
The final item discussed was the tire product grant award/agreement. This grant was applied for through the EPD for the grant that would allow the county to purchase and install new rubberized mulch at playgrounds at the county recreation complexes and parks. The county was awarded an amount of $221,520.00 Lovett was asking for a motion from the commissioners to give him permission to sign on behalf of the county to receive the grant. Edwards made the motion for the recommendation, and Commissioner Chad Kent made the second. The vote was unanimous. After the vote Edwards asked how the county came to find out about this grant. Lovett explained that it was brought out through the Department of Natural Resources and is a grant that they have periodically. When they looked at the grant the county put a packet together in house to apply for the grant.
No executive session was called for and the county manager did not have a report. County Chairman Leslie Burch made the same comment as he did the previous meeting that he is looking into the information given out by the county Attorney, Stacey Brown, about the animal control situation in the county, and he hopes that they can get this on the agenda for the monthly meeting in February to discuss the topic.
With no other comments the meeting was adjourned.
