The Baldwin County Board of Commissioners met Oct. 21 to hear reports on the Airport Capital Improvement Plan, EBLA academy, a risk management agreement, and golf course improvements.
County Manager Carlos Tobar offered a short report on the Baldwin County Regional Airport Capital Improvement Plan. The airport is currently waiting for an environmental assessment on the lower ramp and terminal apron expansion. The design and construction of the terminal apron expansion, previously approved, is ongoing.
“We added drainage to the project as it was something that residents pointed out to us last year. If we get this environmental assessment done, we should start construction next year,” said Tobar. “Not much different from what you have seen in the past.”
The board agreed to table the decision to submit the plan to the Georgia Department of Transportation and further review it.
Headmistress Dr. Janée Moss of EBLA Academy, a local private school on Meriwether Road in Milledgeville, gave a school report. EBLA, which stands for Education Brings Leadership and Achievement, turned 26 years old this year and is considered a “non-traditional private school,” offering a free program, the private school, a home-school program, and a hybrid program.
“The biggest push for EBLA is the accelerated program, which allows gifted students who are ready to move beyond high school to shift faster and graduate early. These students complete dual enrollment. We have partnerships with all local colleges,” said Moss. “Our youngest graduate was 14 years old but the typical age group is 15-to-16years-old. We also offer two other programs including college prep and college tech, for those students who want high school done but definitely want a high school diploma.”
Commissioners then authorized a Memorandum of Agreement with Liberty County and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and Homeland Security to establish procedures for emergency shelters for evacuees from a risk county to a host county. Liberty County is considered the risk county and Baldwin County is designated as the host county.
“For this particular service, Liberty County is the only risk county partnered with us because they are located on the coast,” said Tobar.
Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency Director Wayne Johnson stated that all coastal counties have an 'interior county” partner for risk management.
Liberty County EMA Director Bob Dodd stated that the county has had to evacuate twice while he has been the director and the most they have had to evacuate so far was 126 individuals.
“If the state orders a declaration, Red Cross will move into Baldwin County to set-up the shelter, and we will move in. The longest we have had evacuees was two days before we sent them back to the county,” said Dodd. “There are a lot of partners with the state that assist. The communication between the two EMAs will be there to ensure everyone has the information they need.”
Commissioners unanimously approved an agreement with Southeast Pipe Survey, Inc. to make improvements to the sanitary sewer system as defined in the 2024 Community Development Block Grant for a little over $1 million.
“This is the last sewer rehabilitation project east of Vinson Highway,” Tobar said.
Tobar reported that the county needs authorization to close the golf course in January to make improvements and reopen “roughly around July.” A driving range trackman is aimed to be installed by the time the golf course closes down to generate revenue. The golf course has not been renovated for 40 years, according to Commissioner Sammy Hall, and SPLOST funds are set aside to pay for the improvements.
“Budget wise we will be looking at what work we can do and can purchase,” said Tobar. “There will be some items we have to bid out, but the focus will first be on what our crews can complete.”
Hall stated that the county contacted Mike Young, an expert in golf courses, to put together an improvement plan. Young was not able to attend the meeting but is discussing costs and details with the county. Figures should be available at the next monthly meeting.
Moving into old and new business, Commissioner Scott Little reported that the three African American names that were missing on the World War II monument downtown were added.
Tobar ended the meeting by informing the board that the home dedication for the first Habitat for Humanity home would be occurring Oct. 30 and two other houses are underway on Ross Avenue. They are anticipated to be completed and move-in ready by the end of the year.