(The Pierce County Board of Commissioners discussed and/or voted on the following during their regular meeting Tuesday, December 3. ) Budget: Commissioners approved a $15.39 million budget for the coming year. No public comment was received on the budget during a public hearing held prior to the meeting. (See related story).
Closed session: Commissioners adjourned into a 10 minute closed session to discuss personnel and real estate. No action was taken following the closed session.
New recreation board appointments: Commissioners approved the appointment of three new members to the Pierce County Recreation Board at the meeting. They include Jake Stewart, Trey Thompson and Chris Wright. (See related story).
Rezoning request: The commission approved rezoning several tracts totaling two acres on U.S. Highway 84 between Blackshear and Patterson. The change is from multi-family to commercial. The owner, Eric Aldridge, will build a new office and shop on the property. No public comment was received on the request during a public hearing prior to the meeting.
New 911 center: Commissioners discussed planning for a new 911 center in 2025. (See related story).
New fire chief introduced: New fire chief Christopher Todd was officially introduced during the meeting. (See related story).
Retiring officials: Thomas Sauls will be stepping down following 24 years of service as Clerk of Superior Court. First district county commissioner Harold Rozier Jr. will be stepping down in January following 12 years of service. Both were recognized for their service. (See related photos).
Meeting schedule and holidays: Commissioners approved its meeting schedule and paid holiday schedule for 2025. (See related story).
Emergency conditions and pay policy: Commissioners voted to approve revisions to the Emergency Conditions Pay section to the policy. Human Resources Manager Elaine Ryals said the county’s currently policy had no provisions for overtime pay for first responders who are called out for an extended period such as recently experienced during Hurricane Helene.
Human Resources software purchased: Commissioners approved purchasing new software for the human resources department from Paycom based in Oklahoma City, OK, at a rate of $41,088.32 per year, though Paycom was not the low bidder. Human Resources Manager Ryals explained the Paycom software has several features that will help the county with employee recruitment and training. Other bidders included PNI-HCM based in Rockville, MD, at $33,804 per year and Paycom based in Cincinnati, OH, at $35,997.72 per year.
County Manager update: County Manager Raphel Maddox reported work should begin soon on Timber Lane/Screven Avenue to provide another route in and out of the Oak Ridge Community behind Farr’s. Trains blocking the only crossing in and out for residents in the community has created headaches for the commission for the last decade. Commissioners recognized Pierce County’s District Department of Transportation representative, Ann Purcell, and County Attorney Adam Craft for their work in getting funding and rights-of-way secured for the project. Maddox also reported about 25 percent of the debris from Hurricane Helene has been picked up from county rights-of-way with another, second round of debris pick-ups scheduled for coming weeks. The county manager also reported he had recently attended a training class for tax officials on the implementation of HB 581, that was recently passed by state-wide referendum. Maddox said there is currently no consensus on how to implement the bill. The bill establishes a statewide “floating homestead” exemption based on a rate of inflation. Maddox also recognized the Pierce County Cheerleaders for winning the state championship and the Pierce County Bears football team for their accomplishments this season.
County Employee of the Month: Chester Clements, detention officer with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, was recognized as employee of the month. (See related photo).
Pledge leader: Deputy Ralph Miller of the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office was to lead the pledge of allegiance. Miller was unable to attend the meeting and will be rescheduled for January, 2025. Rozier led the pledge.
Invocation leader: Pastor Ray Turner, founder of Ray Turner and Raceway Ministries, led the meeting’s opening prayer. (See related photo).
Public Comment: Roger Hamelin came to discuss the Oak Ridge Circle area behind Farr’s. Hamelin asked several months ago for improvements in the community to clean up blighted and burned out properties. He no longer lives in the neighborhood, but said he is concerned for the residents who do live there. Code inspector Chris Bond said citations have been issued to three residents of the area for blighted property and those cases are pending in state court.
Next meeting: The next regular commission meeting will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at the Southeast Georgia Regional Agriculture Center in Blackshear.
