(The Pierce County Board of Commissioners discussed and/or voted on the following during their regular meeting Tuesday, January 7. )
Proposed Special purpose local option sales tax referendum: Commissioners proposed calling for a referendum to renew the county’s special purpose local option sales tax. (See related story).
Closed session: Commissioners adjourned into a 20 minute closed session to discuss personnel and real estate. No action was taken following the session.
Environmental Health ordinance: Commissioners approved an update to the ordinance regulating the enforcement of environmental health regulations. James Ragan with the Department of Public Health gave an overview on the ordinance. Ragan said that currently violations of the ordinance have to be referred to state court. A change in state law will allow ordinance violations to be referred to magistrate court. Ragan explained magistrate court would speed up the process of handling ordinance violations.
Wage increase for Board of Assessors: Commissioners approved increasing wages for members of the Pierce County Board of Assessors. members of the three-person board currently receive $62.32 for the twice-monthly meetings. The increase will raise the wage to $100 per meeting.
Indigent defense budget: Commissioners approved an indigent defense budget of $111,376. The funds go to provide attorneys for those unable to afford one. The cost is shared among the six counties in the Waycross Judicial Circuit and are based on case load and population. The total indigent defense budget for Pierce County is down $36,803.41 from last year’s budget.
Hofstadter re-appointed: Hofstadter and Associates was re-appointed as the county’s engineer of record.
Craft appointed county attorney: Adam Craft was appointed as county attorney.
Penalties and interest waiver: Commissioners approved the waiver of certain penalties and interest by Tax Commissioner Nicole Scurry.
County Manager update: County Manager Raphel Maddox reported the county’s revenues are on track to exceed expenses in 2024, leaving a small surplus. He also reported the 2023 audit is almost complete and work will begin on the 2024 audit right away. Commissioners approved authorizing Maddox to send a letter in support of broadband services provided by Satilla Rural Electric Membership Corporation (REMC). Maddox also announced county offices were to remain open on last week’s day of mourning for President Carter, because court had already been scheduled for that date.
Pledge leader: Deputy Ralph Miller of the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office led the pledge of allegiance. Miller served in the United States Marine Corps working in heavy equipment maintenance. He then joined the United States Navy as a computer technician retiring in 1993. (See related photo). Invocation leader: Pastor Matt Gardner, youth and associate pastor at Hacklebarney Baptist Church, led the meeting’s opening prayer. (See related photo).
Next meeting: The next regular commission meeting will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, February 11, at the Southeast Georgia Regional Agriculture Center in Blackshear.
