Long County commissioners appoint leadership, approve jail financing and impose 90-day rezoning moratorium

The Long County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 2, 2024, appointed Robert D. Parker as chairman for 2024, approved short-term financing for a county jail, set election qualifying fees and placed a temporary moratorium on certain residential rezoning requests.

Chairman Robert D. Parker called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. at 75 West Academy Street in Ludowici. County Administrator Russell Simmons led the invocation and commissioners led the Pledge of Allegiance. Present were Vice Chairman Gerald Blocker, Commissioners John Reddish, James Craft and Jeremy Hall, County Attorney James Smith and County Clerk Brandi Smiley.

The board moved quickly through routine business. Commissioner Jeremy Hall moved to approve the Jan. 2024 agenda; Commissioner Gerald Blocker seconded, and the board approved the agenda unanimously. The board then approved the Dec. 2023 minutes on a motion by Commissioner John Reddish, seconded by Commissioner James Craft.

Leadership and appointments: On a motion by Commissioner Gerald Blocker, seconded by Commissioner John Reddish, the board appointed Robert D. Parker as chairman for 2024; the vote was unanimous. Commissioner John Reddish moved, and Commissioner Jeremy Hall seconded, to appoint James Smith as county attorney for 2024; that motion also passed unanimously.

Elections and fees: The board set election qualifying fees at 3% for the listed offices — commissioners for Districts 1, 4 and 5; sheriff; clerk of courts; probate; tax commissioner; coroner; state court judge; board of education members; and solicitor — on a motion by Vice Chairman Gerald Blocker that passed unanimously.

Finance and debt: The board adopted a resolution to renew the Tax Anticipation Note, Series 2024, to provide short-term financing for the county jail. Vice Chairman Blocker moved the resolution and Commissioner John Reddish seconded; the motion passed unanimously.

Policy and planning: Commissioner Jeremy Hall moved to adopt a Mental Health Resolution for the Association County Commissioners of Georgia; Commissioner James Craft seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Hall also moved to place a 90-day moratorium, effective Jan. 2, 2024, on residential rezoning to R1 (parcels smaller than one acre); Vice Chairman Blocker seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Tabled items and next steps: The board voted to table consideration of the Disabled Veterans tax exemption until the March meeting; Commissioner James Craft said he would like to increase the exemption to $500,000 to reflect market changes (the exemption is currently $260,000). The board also tabled live-streaming meetings until staff can gather more information. Both tabling motions passed unanimously.

The board approved payment of bills and then adjourned on a motion by Commissioner John Reddish, seconded by Vice Chairman Gerald Blocker. The minutes show they were adopted on Feb. 6, 2024, and are signed by Chairman Robert D. Parker and County Clerk Brandi Smiley.

The board will revisit the Disabled Veterans tax-exemption proposal at its March meeting and has not yet set a timetable for any change to live-streaming policy.