The Baldwin County Board of Commissioners had multiple discussions at their regular meeting on Jan. 16 about programs and projects within the county.
One of these discussions ultimately ended with the cancellation of the multi-use path around the Baldwin County Regional Airport.
One of the first topics under administrative matters was the Georgia Department of Transportation TAP Grant that funds the multi-use path project. Commissioner Sammy Hall spoke to the audience and his fellow commissioners before making a motion to cancel all contracts related to the project.
In his speech, he summarized there was no evidence to support the need for safety provided by the path, that it would not hurt economic development to not pursue it, and that he had spoken with multiple officials to confirm that canceling the project would not prevent future grants from being received.
“There has not been one resident of the neighborhood that has attended a commissioner’s meeting in person to support this path,” said Hall. “I’ve heard that county officials should not yield to a small number of citizens that are complaining. I don’t support that theory. The fact is that residents in the neighborhood don’t want this path. Therefore, as representatives of the citizens, we should listen to their wants and cancel any and all contracts involved involving this multi-use path.”
Commissioner Henry Craig, who has shown thorough support for the project, spoke after Hall in opposition to the motion. While Craig acknowledged the grant could be used for another project, he emphasized that would mean starting over.
He also stressed that Baldwin County “healthwise, is at the bottom of the statistics.” The multi-use path was intended to promote recreation and increase safety in the area, he said.
“It’s hard to oppose a loud, passionate group that has presented here, but for the last 11 years, I have been thinking about tomorrow for our community. Tomorrow includes hard decisions,” said Craig. “And one of the things our community can do is approve our opportunities to exercise and that is what was intended with this path.”
Craig presented a slideshow from a recent survey completed by the county regarding multi-use paths in general and highlighted statistics showing most respondents want more recreational opportunities and would prefer using a multi-use path rather than a public road to exercise.
“As I said, I think about the community tomorrow,” said Craig. “I believe that some of our commissioners were thinking about our community yesterday and we must worry about how we are going to get healthy, how we are going to exercise, and about how we are seeing people do dangerous things. It’s the government's responsibility to respond to seeing people do dangerous things, so I present this (the survey) to the community and the commissioners.”
When it came down to the vote, Hall’s motion to cancel all contracts was seconded by Commissioner Kendrick Butts and ultimately passed 3-2, with Craig and Commissioner Emily Davis opposing. Following the vote, several members of the Newport neighborhood spoke about who they are as a neighborhood and their gratitude for this decision.
In other matters: The board unanimously approved the Statewide Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement that outlines the individuals who are responsible if there is an emergency and mutual aid is needed between the state and the county. This is a four-year agreement.
The board unanimously approved the Victims of Crime Act Assistance Grant awards for district attorney’s and solicitor’s offices. The solicitor’s office is for the amount of $90,104. The matching funds of $22,526 were waived for this year. The district attorney’s office is for the federal fund amount of $170,340. The required match was also waived for this year.
The board unanimously approved the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation Grant award for $24,493 for seven thermal image cameras and accessories.
The board unanimously approved the Tax Anticipation Note (TAN) for this year. Bids were received from Century Bank for 5.87% and from Exchange Bank for 5.94%. The amount of the note is $6,500,00.
The board unanimously approved the resolution to set qualifying fees for the 2024 election. For constitutional officers, the fee is 3% of their base salary, and for other offices, the fee is 3% of the prior year’s growth.
The next board meeting will be Feb. 6 at 6 p.m.