(The Pierce County Board of Commissioners discussed and/or voted on the following during their regular meeting Tuesday, November 5. ) Otter Creek Fire Station: Sheet and Metal Systems of Blackshear at $194,459 was awarded the bid for the new Otter Creek Fire Station, but they were not the low bidder. (See related story.)
Debris recovery and grinding: ROW Equipment, Inc. of Patterson was the lone bidder for debris recovery and grinding from Hurricane Helene.
(See related story.)
New library roof: Commissioners approved Eicher’s Pro Vinyl for the new roof at the Pierce County Library. Eicher’s bid $109,991 for the project. The only other bidder was Tyson Construction of Blackshear at $250,000.
School resource officer: Commissioners agreed to ask the school board for an increase in funding for the school resource officer at Midway Elementary. The sheriff’s office provides a deputy for the school resource officer and the county will give employees raises next year. The county will ask the school board to fund the cost of that raise for the deputy. The item was tabled until the next April to coincide with the school board’s budget process for the next fiscal year.
Golf Course Road: Commissioners approved a supplemental agreement with East Coast Asphalt for work on Golf Course Road. The agreement is basically a change order allowing for a new rock to be used for paving the road. Road improvements are being paid for by the regional transportation sales tax under the Transportation Investment Act.
Rezoning request: The commission approved rezoning 37.99 acres on Oak Ridge Trail from single family to agriculture/forestry. Owner Robert Blair asked for the rezoning and plans to build rural farm housing on the acreage. No public comment was received on the request during a public hearing prior to the meeting.
County Manager update: County Manager Raphel Maddox reported the county should soon receive its new repurposed Enterprise car fleet, its new ambulance and its new dump truck. He also reported that architects Carter and Sloop will be in town this week to present preliminary drawings for the new recreation complex near the middle school. “We have a lot of good things going on in Pierce County,” he said.
County Employee of the Month: Taylor Kicklighter, Deputy Clerk for the Clerk of Court’s Office was recognized as employee of the month. (See related photo).
Pledge leader: Sgt. Bruce Burrows of the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, a former staff sergeant with the U.S. Army, led the pledge of allegiance
Invocation leader: The Rev. Vance Colley of Patterson Baptist Church led the meeting’s opening prayer. (See related photo).
Public Comment: Richard Lee came to thank commissioners for selecting Ryland Environmental Services for the county’s garbage pick up. “I’m not here to ask for a price increase. I am simply here to say thank you and to let you know I am here to help.” Randy Tyre of Shellie Trail near Offerman was on the agenda, but was not present at the meeting. Tyre has complained for several months about the condition of his road.
Next meeting: The next regular commission meeting will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, December 3, at the Southeast Georgia Regional Agriculture Center in Blackshear.
