CCBoC 08.19.2024 Meeting Notes

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Call To Order: 6:00PM

Missing: District 2 Seat (empty), Scott Johnson

Approval of 08.05.2025 Meeting Minutes: Yay 4, No 0

1 Item added to agenda (I2a)

Special Recognition: Boy Scout Troop 643 (I think, it was hard to hear)

Consent Agenda:

1. Management and Internal Services Committee Commissioner Melear

   1. (H1a) FY26 Criminal Juvenile Coordinating Council Incentive Grant Award

   2. (H1b) Resolution Number 25-27 Granting Temporary Tax Relief Authorized by House Bill 223

   3. (H1c) Purchase of Replacement Weapons for Columbia County Sheriff's Office

   4. (H1d) ACCG Safety Incentive Discount Program: 2026 Policy Year

   5. (H1e) Use of Mission Square 401(a) Forfeiture Assets

   6. (H1f) Annual Support Agreement and License Agreement for iasWorld Software Payment 2025-2026

   7. (H1g) Agreement with CoreSite for Lease of Co-Location Space

   8. (H1h) Agreement with ROK Technologies for GIS Infrastructure

   9. (H1i) Change Order #003 with Kuhlke Construction for the Columbia County Fire Rescue #2 Replacement Project

   10. (H1j) Independent Contractors Agreement with Trane U.S. Inc. for Tax Commissioner's side of Building 'C' HVAC Retro

   11. (H1k) The Appointment of Russell Wilder to Fulfill the Unexpired Term of Jim Steed, District 2 on the Planning Commission

2. Development and Planning Services Committee Commissioner Couch

   1. (H2a) Purchase from Wade Ford 16 Pursuit Explorers for the Sheriff’s Office

   2. (H2b) Alcoholic Beverage License Ironwood West LLC dba Ironwood Tavern

   3. (H2c) The Purchase of a Replacement Baler from Becker Complete Compactor for the William Few Recycling Center

Debate Agenda

1. New Business

   1. Management and Internal Services Committee

      1. (I1a1) Award BID#2025012-BID3289 and Contract to RW Allen Construction for the Construction of the Performing Arts Center Support Facility Approve: Yay 3, abstain 1 (Melear)

         Couch asked Schlachter to talk about some community questions regarding the bidding process and funding sources. SPLOST is the funding sources. They received 8 bids. The lowest bid was $9.864million and the one suggested for approval. Highest bid was $10.97million.

   2. Development and Planning Services Committee

      1. (I1b1) RZ25-08-01, Change of conditions, 106 Davis Road Suite E, Tax Map 082G Parcel 023, 0.87 +/- acres, and currently zoned C-2 (General Commercial). Approve: Yay 3, No: 1

      2. (I1b2) RZ25-08-02, Conditional Use for Massage, 4414 Hereford Farm Road, Tax Map 072A Parcel 067A, 0.43 +/- acres, and currently zoned P-1 (Professional). Approve: Yay 4, No_0

         Wanting to expand business.

      3. (I1b3) VA25-08-01, Variance to Section 90-98 List of lot & structure requirements, 4317 Washington Road, Tax Map 077A Parcel 006, 1.3+/- acres, and currently zoned C-2 (General Commercial). Approve: Yay 4, No 0

         Moved the road previously so that they could have parking lot. Will move some utilities.

      4. (I1b4) VA25-08-02, Variance to Section 90-144 Placement of buildings and structures, 840 Brookfield Parkway, Tax Map 082H Parcel 039, 0.39 +/- acres, and currently zoned R-3 (Single Family Residential). Approve: Yay 4, No 0

         Home owner addressed commission. Replaced fence after Helene and built an 8 foot fence as a deterrent to anyone using their pool when they are out of town. Also asked to waive the fee for variance request (granted.)

      5. (I1b5) Alcoholic Beverage License MSM 100 LLC dba Appling Liqour & Wine Approve: Yay 4, No 0

         1 complaint was received that a homeowner was told there wouldn’t be a liquor store allowed near the housing development but the County couldn’t find anything in writing that said that.

      6. (I1b6) Conditional License, Encroachment and Maintenance Agreement with Pinnacle Bank for Landscape on Tax map 072 Parcel 231P. Approve: Yay 4, No 0

   3. Items added at meeting

      1. (I2a) The purchase of 4 replacement Ford Explorers for the Police. Approve: Yay 4, No 0

Public Comment:

Susan Warren: Concerns about the database

Howard Johnson: Expressed ongoing concerns about public library and announced that he’s running for District 2 Commissioner. Chairman Duncan responded, “Welcome to the fire.”

Executive Session: Property for Hereford Farm Rd Project. 87% complete

The following statement from Chairman Duncan is transcripted:

This is my 11th year on the commission and matter of fact, it seems almost surreal, frankly. Every Commissioner that I’ve had the privilege to serve with has been committed to making Columbia County the best place to live in America. We’re certainly not perfect but I know I have simple goals. The first goals is safe streets. I believe there’s no quality of life without low or no crime…. And invest any way we can in the sheriff’s department to give them assets they need. Second is infrastructure. Wish I could tell you much we’re spending on roads…. $500million $600million of big money to widen, to expand. I wish we could do it faster. It’s a very slow process but we invest in infrastructure. And then lastly a goal just to reduce the homestead. Homestead taxes what homeowner’s pay…. Over the years we’ve reduced the millage rate. I meant to look it up, the percent, but I didn’t so I apologize…. haven’t been able to outrun the increase in property values. So when it comes to the pending technical part in Columbia County, our vision is to generate enough revenue so that we offer a homestead exemption to eventually eliminate the property taxes folks pay and county taxes. Guess for younger folks the best news is when implemented the school board will get 65% of that. They’re 65% of your tax bill. So they should be able to reduce taxes as well. It’s definitely a work in progress but, I just want to be crystal clear that we will not compromise, risk or gamble the water table or the electric grid to pull this project off. My understanding is, there’s stuff on social media. I’m not a big social media guy so I haven’t see a lot of it but we won’t compromise any of those in any shape, form or fashion to achieve this vision. Our intent is we will achieve it but we won’t compromise those. And I just wanted to make that public statement. So you have our commitment as well walk work this whole project through, we’re going to protect Columbia County.

Adjourn

The next scheduled meeting is Tuesday, September 02, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the Auditorium of Building A at the Evans Government Center