>> BALDWIN COUNTY
The Baldwin County Board of Commissioners heard a presentation about litter education and removal, listened to the proclamation for Education & Sharing Day, and approved a variety of fiscal matters including the previously discussed Dislocated Worker Program grant award.
The meeting began with a presentation by Dr. Jeff Wells about the Keep Milledgeville Baldwin Beautiful nonprofit organization, affiliated with Keep America Beautiful and Keep Georgia Beautiful, that will be working to educate the public about litter and will be actively working to combat blight and litter issues in the county. According to Wells, the organization held its first community event on March 28 as a table discussion at the Board of Commerce to discuss how to spread litter education and how to combat littering in Baldwin county. Four commissioners were in attendance and Wells stated the event was a success. He further stated that he will be presenting and talking to the Milledgeville City Council later this month about the organization’s past impacts and what they can do moving forward.
“Our focus is to help the community realize the impact of litter and waste and to promote recycling as an alternative to trash and collaborating with the community to create beautiful, caring neighborhoods and communities,” said Wells. “We don’t have to do this alone as local leaders or in a single sector of the community. Our local leaders are important to this fight but we cannot expect them and them alone to fight this problem.”
After this presentation, County Manager Carlos Tobar read a proclamation for Education & Sharing Day presented by the Lubavitch movement, headed by Rabbi Menachem M.
Schneerson, that named April 2 Education & Sharing Day in Baldwin County. This day honors Schneerson’s memory and the impact his movement had on showing all faiths the importance of education.
“Throughout history Americans have recognized that education is valid to our nation’s future. Our educational system…has equipped generation upon generation of young men and women for lives of responsible citizenship by helping to teach them the basic, ethical principles and values that are both our heritage as people and the foundation of civilized life,” read Tobar from the proclamation.
“In recognition of Rabbi Schneerson’s contributions (to education), on the 11th day of the Jewish month Nissan, the president has designated April 2, 2023 as National Education & Sharing Day.”
Moving into the administrative and fiscal matters, the board unanimously approved a multitude of items and listened to an update by Tobar about the recreation department.
According to Tobar, the recreation department has seen an increase in recreational activities between public use and its multitude of sports teams. He also reported that the splash pad will be opening on May 1 and that the disc golf course is expected to be open by Mother’s Day. He also informed the board that the aquatic center designs are complete and awaiting approval of the grant money.
After Tobar’s update, the board unanimously approved a Mutual Aid Agreement between Baldwin County Fire Rescue and the City of Gordon Fire Rescue presented by Chief Young. The board unanimously approved the acceptance of $700,000 in federal funding from the Dislocated Worker Program Grant Award.
“If a business closes or cuts their work force back, there is money in this program to help the workers train to go to another job or get moved to a new job,” said Dawn Huson, assistant county manager.
The board then unanimously approved the acceptance of $4,510 from the Accountability Court Supplemental State Funds. According to Hudson, no matching funds on the county’s half are required.
Ending these matters, the board unanimously approved the Georgia County Internship Program Grant Agreement provided by the Association County Commissioners of Georgia, which would reimburse the county $2,400 for an intern to work 200 hours for $12 per hour. The intern can be a dual-enrolled high school student (16+), an undergraduate student, or a graduate student.
According to Tobar, the intern will likely work in the GIS office this summer to assist with work needing to be done.
“The eligible period for reimbursement is May 1 through Sept. 1.
Anything above the 200 hours is the county’s responsibility,” said Tobar to the board during questioning. ‘We will pay our part because we need assistance to get some work done.”
Following this approval, Tobar presented the county manager’s report. He informed the board that the Clean Campaign has kicked off with trash bags and vests delivered to seven fire station’s around the county for community members to pick up and do neighborhood clean ups. He also stated an Adopt a Street program may be implemented.
Tobar then touched on other matters including the CHIP grant, the STAR grant, the Urban Redevelopment Plan and more. To hear full report details, please visit the Board of Commisoner’s facebook page and start the recording at 49:30.
The next Baldwin County Board of Commissioners meeting will be April 18 at 6 p.m.