(The Pierce County Board of Commissioners discussed and/or voted on the following during their regular meeting Tuesday, February 11. The meeting was delayed a week due to a scheduling conflict. )
Bitcoin mining operation: Commissioners voted to deny a conditional use permit for a bitcoin mining operation in the Cason community. A public hearing was held prior to the meeting. Andy Mattox, Brandon Yeomans, Daniel Brady, Barbara Smith, Dustin Minchew, Tommy Melton and Brandy Russell all spoke in opposition to the operation. (See related story).
Homestead exemption: Commissioners voted to opt-out of House Bill 581. Commissioners said their research revealed Pierce County has a better homestead exemption than what would be provided by the state house bill. HB 581 was approved state-wide by referendum last November. Three public hearings must be held on opting out of the exemption.
College Avenue culvert bids: Commissioners awarded a bid on the installation of a culvert on College Avenue. Underground Excavating of Patterson was the low bid at $640,985 among those delivered in person. Three other bids were received. One bid from Southern Concrete Construction, Inc. of Albany was submitted by email and was the apparent low bidder at $560,542.24. County Manager Raphel Maddox, County Attorney Adam Craft and commissioners debated about whether a bid received by email was valid. Harris Echols of Underground Excavating said he did not believe email bids should be accepted. Commissioners agreed to award the bid to Underground Excavating. Other bidders in addition to Underground and Southern Concrete were Griffin Grading & Concrete, Inc. of Cordele at $750,381.34 and Allen Owens Construction & Paving, Inc. of Blackshear at $1,009,964.70 911 server: Commissioners approved Security and Energy Systems LLC of Patterson as the low bidder for a new primary domain server at the 911 center. Total bid amount is $9,045 including $8,045 for the hardware and $1,000 for the installation. The only other bidder was Trinity Networking and Consulting of Blackshear at $11,810,10 including $9,810.10 for the hardware and $2,000 for the installation. Public safety director Blake James recommended Security and Energy Systems LLC. He said the current server is nearing end of life.
Judge supplements: Commissioners approved a retirement supplement for all four local superior court judges and their spouses. The supplement on the amount Pierce County currently pays as its share of the judges’ current salary, which is $635 monthly per judge. The maximum retirement supplement would be $441 per month per judge.
Robbin Road: A decision on closing Robbin Road near Patterson was tabled. Mark Miller owns the property on both sides of the road. Miller asked for a delay to allow him to work out an agreement with a local hay farmer who uses the road. A public hearing was held prior to the meeting. The item will be on the agenda at the March regular meeting.
Public participation: A number of people signed up to speak during public participation.
They included:
• Jackie Shoemaker of the South Central Chapter of the American Red Cross came to the commission to discuss ways the Red Cross can assist local citizens in need. Shoemaker said the Red Cross is often called on with house fires in Pierce County, which accounted for seven calls for service last year. She also highlighted ways the Red Cross can assist with temporary housing, food and clothing and assisting with contacting family members in the military and bringing them home when necessary.
• Ala Mae Myles did not speak about ditches on Ala Mae Lane.
• Howard Baldwin of Ohio came to ask commissioners to waive late fees and penalties from taxes on a mobile home he owns in Pierce County. Baldwin explained he did not get a bill for the taxes. Tax Commissioner Nicole Scurry could not waive the fees. Commissioners voted to waive the penalties and interest. Baldwin will pay the $987.76 in taxes and penalties and interest in the amount of $186.95 were waived. Seven residents also signed up to speak in opposition to the proposed bitcoin mining operation.
(See related story).
County Manager update: County Manager Raphel Maddox reported the county’s audit has been completed. He reported budgets are under control and he also reported higher call volumes for EMS and fire during the month of January. Maddox asked for a closed session, but it was not on the agenda so it was not held.
Pledge leader: First district commissioner Troy Mattox, a Vietnam veteran, led the pledge of allegiance. (See related photo).
Invocation leader: Pastor Monroe Gill, 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, March 4, at the Southeast Georgia Regional Agriculture Center in Blackshear.
