(The Pierce County Board of Commissioners discussed and/or voted on the following during their regular meeting Tuesday, October 3. ) County culvert ordinance updated: Commissioners unanimously approved an update to existing ordinances governing when and how culverts are placed in the county (See related article).
Otter Creek Fire Station bid adjustment: Advertising for bid specifications for the new Otter Creek Fire Station were unanimously approved with one alteration. Instead of 1 central floor drain, the new specifications require 1 floor drain per vehicle bay for a total of 4 drains. A bid notice for the project is included in today’s edition of The Times.
Public Comment: Several citizens signed up for public comment at the meeting. The majority were there about road conditions. (See related article). Cleo Weston and Larry Murdock, both spoke on the condition of Murdock Dr. Travis Sweat spoke about similar problems on Eugene Howell Rd. Randy Tyre also returned to once more protest lack of maintenance on Shellie Trail. The final two speakers were Bryan Crews of Blue Lake Rd., who asked what could be done to reduce noise from the nearby Moccasin Creek Off Road Park. Scott Swain, spoke on behalf of Moccasin Creek and offered several counter points to Crews’s statements, citing rules already in place about noise and also the economic benefit the venue brings to the local economy.
Grapple rake purchased: The commission unanimously agreed to purchase a 2024 FLECO 96” grapple rake attachment for a John Deere 544P mid-size wheel loader. One commissioner wryly remarked, “We needed it three weeks ago.”
2024-2025 land & water conservation grant: With the Tiger Field grant already approved, Chairman Bennett announced the county’s intention to apply for another Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant for the 20242025 fiscal period. It will be a 50-50 fund matching grant for use at the Ware Street facility. The commissioners unanimously approved the motion to move forward with the application.
Millage rate approved: Described as a “housekeeping item” by Chairman Bennett, the commissioners unanimously approved the Board of Education millage rate at 14 mils.
Tax collection agreements: Another “housekeeping item”, the commisioners unanimously voted to renew the “same agreement as every year” for the county tax commissioner to collect taxes in the name of the Board of Education and the cities of Blackshear and Patterson.
County Manager update: County Manager Raphel Maddox praised county employee Donna Golding for working 30 days in a row with few days off. Maddox also had words of approval for Commissioner David Lowman after Lowman notified him that a building should be located for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to receive and process relief applications for local citizens. Lowman said the previous door-to-door efforts had not been successful as many citizens had returned to work and were not home when FEMA workers came knocking.
County Employees of the Month: There were two employees of the month, both from the Recreation Department, Levi Yarbrough and Cody Ammons. (See related photo).
Early voting: It was announced there were 664 voters on the first day of early voting in Pierce County. 631 voters did so in person.
Pledge leader: Retired U.S. Navy and U.S. Army Reserve combat veteran Keeon Culp Sr. led the Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation leader: The Rev. Jimmy Thrift of Youmans Chapel Baptist Church of Blackshear led the meeting’s opening prayer. (See related photo).
Next meeting: The next regular commission meeting will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, November 5, at the Southeast Georgia Regional Agriculture Center in Blackshear.
