Tift County places ambulance purchase, ARPA re‑obligation and lodging tax proposal on Aug. 11 consent agenda
March 01, 2026 | Tift County, Georgia
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Tift County commissioners on Aug. 5 instructed staff to place several administrative items on the consent agenda for the regular meeting on Aug. 11, including a recommended purchase of two ambulances, moving unspent ARPA funds to recreation capital projects and a proposal to seek legislative approval for a higher lodging tax.
Public Safety Director Joey Fowler told the board only one vendor responded to the county's ambulance request for proposals: Frazer submitted two bid options — $1,041,773 for two complete custom ambulances and $875,973 for two ambulances without chassis. Staff recommended the latter option, reduced by delivery and inspection fees to $856,636, and separately buying chassis from Griffin Ford for $132,300. Fowler said chassis are expected in October 2025 and completed ambulances in about 15–18 months.
County Manager Jim Carter recommended re‑obligating funds the county originally set aside under ARPA for demolition of dilapidated structures. Tift County allocated $500,000 for demolition in February 2022 and has spent $108,025; Carter said staff does not expect the remainder to be disbursed before the federal 2026 deadline and proposed redirecting the balance to repair the basketball courts adjacent to the pickleball courts. Carter asked that the re‑obligation be placed on the Aug. 11 consent agenda.
Public Works Director Jason Jordan briefed commissioners on a utility easement: two easements are needed to run power to the new maintenance building at EB Hamilton at an estimated cost of $8,380.23, to be funded from the General Fund. Fowler also described a pre‑application to the Georgia Emergency Management Agency for a hazard mitigation grant to buy a generator for Recreation and Public Works facilities; the grant would require a 10% local match. Jim Carter asked that a resolution (2025‑18) to surplus and sell a 2016 Ford F‑150 used by Animal Control be placed on the consent agenda, noting the truck has costly repair needs and staff recommends selling it on GovDeals.
Chairman Tony McBrayer said he had met Tourism Association representatives who requested the county consider increasing the lodging (hotel/motel) tax from 5% to 7%; the proposed resolution would ask the General Assembly to amend the county's local legislation to allow the higher rate and staff discussed future revenue projections. The board indicated its desire to include the proposal on the Aug. 11 consent agenda.
County Manager Carter requested an executive session for personnel matters. Commissioners entered a closed session after a motion by Commissioner Melissa Hughes and a second by Commissioner Greg Wood; both motions to enter and later to adjourn the executive session passed by a 6–0 vote. Commissioner Melissa Hughes asked why sponsors' names are no longer printed on recreation T‑shirts; the request was noted for follow‑up. The work session was adjourned by Chairman Tony McBrayer.
Public Safety Director Joey Fowler told the board only one vendor responded to the county's ambulance request for proposals: Frazer submitted two bid options — $1,041,773 for two complete custom ambulances and $875,973 for two ambulances without chassis. Staff recommended the latter option, reduced by delivery and inspection fees to $856,636, and separately buying chassis from Griffin Ford for $132,300. Fowler said chassis are expected in October 2025 and completed ambulances in about 15–18 months.
County Manager Jim Carter recommended re‑obligating funds the county originally set aside under ARPA for demolition of dilapidated structures. Tift County allocated $500,000 for demolition in February 2022 and has spent $108,025; Carter said staff does not expect the remainder to be disbursed before the federal 2026 deadline and proposed redirecting the balance to repair the basketball courts adjacent to the pickleball courts. Carter asked that the re‑obligation be placed on the Aug. 11 consent agenda.
Public Works Director Jason Jordan briefed commissioners on a utility easement: two easements are needed to run power to the new maintenance building at EB Hamilton at an estimated cost of $8,380.23, to be funded from the General Fund. Fowler also described a pre‑application to the Georgia Emergency Management Agency for a hazard mitigation grant to buy a generator for Recreation and Public Works facilities; the grant would require a 10% local match. Jim Carter asked that a resolution (2025‑18) to surplus and sell a 2016 Ford F‑150 used by Animal Control be placed on the consent agenda, noting the truck has costly repair needs and staff recommends selling it on GovDeals.
Chairman Tony McBrayer said he had met Tourism Association representatives who requested the county consider increasing the lodging (hotel/motel) tax from 5% to 7%; the proposed resolution would ask the General Assembly to amend the county's local legislation to allow the higher rate and staff discussed future revenue projections. The board indicated its desire to include the proposal on the Aug. 11 consent agenda.
County Manager Carter requested an executive session for personnel matters. Commissioners entered a closed session after a motion by Commissioner Melissa Hughes and a second by Commissioner Greg Wood; both motions to enter and later to adjourn the executive session passed by a 6–0 vote. Commissioner Melissa Hughes asked why sponsors' names are no longer printed on recreation T‑shirts; the request was noted for follow‑up. The work session was adjourned by Chairman Tony McBrayer.
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