Tift County commissioners approve appointments, accept grants and clear licenses; accept $130,101 VOCA award

The Tift County Board of Commissioners met Jan. 12 and approved a slate of appointments, grants and routine business, including acceptance of a $130,101 VOCA grant to support the county's Victim Witness Assistance program and a $1,920,000 Hurricane Disaster Recovery Grant for flood and infrastructure work in the Phillipsburg neighborhood.

Appointments and boards

The board appointed three people to the Tift County Hospital Authority: Dr. Jessica Beier (appointed unanimously), Rosemary Short (appointed on a 5‑1 vote, with Commissioner Donnie Hester opposed) and Larry Mims (unanimous). The board also reappointed Patricia Welker and Jonathan Judy to the Tifton‑Tift County Tourism Association and filled six seats on the Tift County Athletic Advisory Committee (Dennis Reese, David Evans, Hilary Green, Hannah Harrison, Adam Hipps and Jess Lindsey). Dr. Amy Warren was appointed to the South Georgia Community Service Board and Commissioner Melissa Hughes was designated as the board's elected official representative to that body.

Grants and purchases

Jodie Spooner, Victim Witness Assistance Program Director, told the board the VOCA award (Grant No. AW‑VOCA‑25‑071‑012) reimburses a portion of personnel costs; the award total is $130,101. Spooner reported the office assisted roughly 2,400 victims and provided about 19,000 services last year. The board voted 6‑0 to accept the award.

The consent agenda included multiple items of capital and grant business. Notable items approved include a $1,920,000 Hurricane Disaster Recovery Grant from OneGeorgia for flooding and street and water improvements in the Phillipsburg neighborhood; acceptance of a Hazard Mitigation Grant to purchase three generators; and authorization to submit a 2026 LMIG application for the Overflow Bridge over Little River on Upper Ty Ty Road. The board also approved the purchase of a 2021 Model #150‑10 motor grader at a lease buyback price of $141,960 plus a three‑year warranty for $6,310, for a total of $148,270, funded from TSPLOST.

Licenses and emergency repairs

The board approved several alcohol beverage license applications recommended by the county sheriff, including licenses for Spring Hill Country Club and Chula Texaco. Commissioners also ratified emergency road repairs to Ty Ty Whiddon Mill Road and Little River Road totaling $70,287.94, funded from SPLOST VI.

Other business and next steps

County Attorney Anthony Rowell reported ongoing work on dilapidated structures: three homes have been removed by property owners and three more have title work underway. County Manager Jim Carter requested an executive session on legal matters; the board convened an executive session and reconvened before adjourning. Commissioners announced local events including a Sock It To 'Em sock drive Feb. 14 and, earlier in the meeting, Jackie Shoemaker of the American Red Cross promoted the March 21 "Sound the Alarm" alarm‑installation event in Tift County.

Votes at a glance

• Motion to add VOCA Grant Award (item 4.1/8.8) to the agenda: Passed 6‑0 (mover Tyler Riddle; seconder Paul Webb).

• Approval of minutes (Dec. 2 work session; Dec. 8 regular session): Passed 6‑0 (mover Greg Wood; seconder Melissa Hughes).

• Consent agenda items 7.1–7.14 (see meeting minutes for full list, including grant acceptances, engineering addendum, motor grader purchase and license approvals): Passed 6‑0.

• Appointments to Hospital Authority: Dr. Jessica Beier (appointed, 6‑0); Rosemary Short (appointed, 5‑1; Hester opposed); Larry Mims (appointed, 6‑0).

• Resolution No. 2026‑02 (Purchasing Policy): Passed 6‑0 (see separate coverage).

• Acceptance of VOCA grant AW‑VOCA‑25‑071‑012 for $130,101: Passed 6‑0.

The board adjourned after reconvening from an executive session; no additional votes were recorded in the meeting minutes.