The Baldwin County Board of Commissioners met May 7 to hear updates about the General Session and approve three fiscal matters.
Baldwin County’s Legislative Delegation, Senator Rick Williams and representative Mack Jackson, spoke for the majority of the meeting to debrief commissioners on discussions and approvals made during the General Session. They spoke about the new budget signed by Gov. Brian Kemp and what fund increases it includes and the allocation of money. In addition, they went into detail about other topics such as mental health improvements, the rural hospital tax credit, the Squatter Reform Act, the Back the Blue Bill and more. To hear in detail what was reported, refer to 8:18-34:48 in the recording of the meeting on the Baldwin County Board of Commissioners’ Facebook page.
“Democrats and Republicans are dedicated to making Georgia a better place … and at the end of the day we have to look after our local people,” both representatives agreed toward the conclusion of their debrief.
Moving into fiscal matters, the board unanimously approved an alcohol beverage license for Little River Park to retail packaged beer and/or wine.
County Manager Carlos Tobar then presented the board with a resolution to donate two parcels, 470 and 476 Ross, located within the city limit of Milledgeville to the land bank. This resolution was created by county attorney Brandon Palmer and his team.
“So the public knows, I cannot gift properties to anyone,” Tobar noted during the discussion of the parcels.
“That is a board of commissioners’ decision.”
The resolution was unanimously approved.
Fiscal matters concluded with a resolution establishing Baldwin County as the fiscal agent for the Oconee River Greenway Authority’s Georgia Department of Natural Resources Grant. Commissioners confirmed during discussion that the money would move through them “like other grants.” The resolution was unanimously approved.
Concluding the meeting Tobar gave minor updates on Baldwin County projects:
• Theongoingsewerprojectisestimated to be complete by July, and grants were submitted for sewer line replacements.
• Tobarreportedthatanagreement is in the works regarding the Oconee Heights Streetscape project.
• AnotherFLOCKcamerawas installed and four more are awaiting installation as the county waits for Georgia Department of Transportation permits.
• Twoproposalswerereceivedfor the Rural Housing Initiative and decisions may be made by the May 21 meeting.
• Constructionplansareunder review for the Harrisburg Park Project.