The Baldwin County Board of Commissioners discussed the Powell Building at Central State Hospital, the 2026 fee schedule, and the 2026 operating budget.
The two-hour meeting opened with Billy Hargrove being recognized with a Certificate of Recognition for his 100th birthday.
“God bless you and thank you Baldwin County,” said Hargrove.
Newly Elected City of Milledgeville District 6 Council Member Jeff Wells gave a short speech introducing himself as a member of the city council and his relationship with the commissioners through his previous work as chairman of Keep Milledgeville Baldwin Beautiful.
“I want to ensure we have a good working relationship. We are the two governing bodies that have the most impact on our community,” said Wells. “When we build a better Baldwin, no one should be left behind.”
“Whoever submits a project gets access to the 1.5 million monies first, whether it be Baldwin County or Macon-Bibb County,” said Commissioner Scott Little.
Continuing discussion from the last meeting, commissioners answered questions regarding the Revocable License Agreement with the State of Georgia Properties Commission for access to the Powell Building to conduct phase 1 and phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment.
“We are getting a grant from the state to do a Brownfields Assessment so that once the building is cleared, somebody can do whatever work is necessary to bring this building back to a condition that can be used,” said Commissioner Sammy Hall. “There may be some discussions of some state agencies using it but in the current situation it is not usable.”
The Brownfields Assessment Grant is funded by the Environmental Protection Agency and covers 100% of the cost. Each assessment cost about $4,000, or roughly $8,000 total.
The grant as a whole covers multiple buildings that are to be assessed or have been assessed, with the $8,000 counting only for the Powell Building in this discussion. All other buildings named for the grant were owned by the county, according to County Manager Carlos Tobar, with three in unincorporated areas and the rest on the Central State Hospital Campus.
“It gives the engineers a leg-up because they can prepare their preliminary engineering report knowing what the environmental conditions of the building are, which they currently do not have,” said Tobar.
“Terracon did confirm at its last meeting they will indemnify us (make the county pay if there are damages during the assessment) and it will be up to County Attorney Brandon Palmer in what form that will be. They will not hold us liable.”
According to Tobar, buildings owned by the Central State Hospital Redevelopment Authority are not required to come before the board and were signed off by the chairman. The Powell Building was proposed by Senator Rick Williams and requires board approval as it is owned by the state.
The resolution was passed 4-1 with Commissioner Emily Davis denying the motion. A contract for the assessment by Terracon, a consulting engineering firm, will be brought to the board at a later date for approval.
Tobar proposed the updated 2026 fee schedule, which included the addition of waterpark fees and Trackman driving range fees.
For the waterpark, a family season pass will be $200 for four individuals. A single pass is $75. Individual admission is $12, with lowered rates for $8 for military and children two and under being free. A special group rate for 20 or more people is also available for $9 per person.
For the Trackman Driving Range, a warm-up bucket is $6, medium bucket is $14, and a large bucket is $18.
The rental per bay, after hours, would be $35.
“Walter B. Williams Park costs you $1.1 million a year in property taxes whether you go there or not. Fees help to reduce that amount,” said Chairman Andrew Strickland to the public.
“I’m in favor of these fee-based programs so that your property taxes don’t subsidize all these programs. They should be financially solvent. In terms of these fees going up, they do unless you want the money coming from your property taxes, which I believe are one of the most oppressive taxes.”
Commissioner Kendrick Votes and Scott Little expressed concerns about an incomplete fee schedule, due to pickleball not being included, and not having enough information overall regarding other fees.
Thus, the fee schedule was tabled for further discussion and will return to the table in January.
Moving into discussion of the budget a citizen questioned the county’s debt to the city and how the county was “unaware” of the debt.
“The checks were money that was owed to the city through an intergovernmental agreement that we did not live up to,” said Strickland. “When I found out that these agreements made before I was on board were not being upheld, I made sure that they were upheld by paying the money we owe the city. It was $1.8 and $2.4 million of SPLOST money.
“We ordered an audit to examine SPLOST spending and there is an audit being done right now. When that report comes back, I am committed to making that public. I hope the rest of the board is, too,” Strickland added.
Butts also questioned that some discussed changes, like the $20,000 cut to the solicitor’s office were not present on the budget. Strickland responded that the initial solicitor’s budget given was not accurate, and the revised version was substantially higher, making it appear inflated.
Commissioners approved the Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Operating Budget of roughly $32 million 3-2, with Butts and Davis denying the motion.
In other news, the board:
• Approvedtherenaming of an abandoned portion of Georgia State Highway 24 at its intersection with the Fall Line Freeway to Brooks Farm Road.
• AuthorizedtheCounty Manager Employment Contract for Carlos Tobar 3-2, with Butts and Davis denying the motion, for a term of Jan. 1, 2026 through Dec. 31, 2026.
• Appointed Brian Robinson to the Sinclair Water Authority.
• AppointedCol.Scott Deason to replace Sheriff Bill Massee on the Division of Family and Children Services.
• Appointed Tyrone Evans and Greg Tyson to the Development Authority of Milledgeville and Baldwin County.
• Appointed Commissioner Emily Davis as a Middle Georgia Regional Commission representative.