Tyler Carter urges Statenville Cemetery signage; county announces transit service and $250,604.19 LMIG grant

At the workshop portion of the Echols County Board of Commissioners meeting on Sept. 4, 2025, Tyler Carter, who handles county lawn care, asked the board to place a sign at Statenville Cemetery that would set out guidelines and a timeline for how long arrangements, trash and other items may remain before removal. Carter said such a sign would assist the county in keeping the cemetery clean and maintained. The commission agreed to help get a sign installed.

Jimmy Tucker, speaking during public comment, urged the board to dissolve voting districts so more candidates could run countywide; that request was later taken up and the board voted to dissolve the districts in the business session.

Vice‑Chair Bobbi Pohlman Rodgers reported on the South Georgia Area Agency on Aging meeting she attended and announced transit and grant information: public transit is now available to residents in the county with 24‑hour advance notice, a base fare of $3 each way up to 10 miles (reduced to $2 one way for riders age 60 and older, with an additional $0.50 per mile for trips beyond 10 miles). Rodgers also announced that the county submitted an LMIG grant application for $250,604.19, and that the Georgia Department of Transportation has partnered with Echols County to replace two bridges on J. Frank Culpepper Road.

Anthony Everett asked the commission to contact Russ Goodman about the possibility of the county taking over the water authority; the board agreed to research the matter further. The meeting record shows the board later considered formally dissolving the Echols County Water Authority but the minutes indicate that motion was rescinded after a 3‑1 vote.

The meeting included announcements that millage‑rate public hearings will be held Sept. 15 (10 a.m. and 6 p.m.) and Sept. 22 (6 p.m.), when the millage rate and budget will be adopted. The meeting adjourned at about 7:47 p.m.

The board’s agreement to assist in posting cemetery signage and to research the water authority matter are recorded as follow‑up items in the meeting minutes.