Echols County commissioners approve sheriff budget increase, endorse bridge replacements and update animal control contract; keep pay unchanged

Echols County commissioners on April 10 approved several administrative and infrastructure items and voted to maintain their current compensation structure.

Chairperson Kenneth Petty led the meeting that approved a $48,000 resolution to amend the sheriff’s office budget. The motion to amend the budget was proposed by Chairperson Kenneth Petty, seconded by Vice-Chairperson Bobbi Pohlman Rodgers and passed unanimously. The board also voted unanimously to endorse the Georgia Department of Transportation’s plan to replace two bridges in Howell under the Local Bridge Replacement Program; that motion was made by Commissioner Justin Staten and seconded by Commissioner Stanley Corbett.

Commissioner Justin Staten moved to accept an updated Animal Control contract; Commissioner Stanley Corbett seconded the motion and the board approved the contract on a 5–0 vote. Earlier in the meeting, the board approved the minutes from the March 6, 2025 meeting by a 5–0 vote.

The board considered a proposal discussed at a previous meeting that would have set commissioner pay at $500 per meeting. Chairperson Petty moved to maintain the current compensation structure in accordance with the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) salary guidelines; Commissioner Bobby Walker supported the motion. The motion passed 4–1, with Commissioner Stanley Corbett recorded in opposition.

At 7:23 PM the board voted to enter an executive session to discuss personnel matters. The board exited the executive session at 7:31 PM and Chairperson Petty reported that personnel matters had been discussed but that no decisions were reached. The meeting adjourned at 7:33 PM.

Votes at a glance
• Minutes (March 6, 2025): approved, 5–0 (motion: Stanley Corbett; second: Bobbi Pohlman Rodgers)
• Sheriff’s budget amendment ($48,000): approved, 5–0 (motion: Kenneth Petty; second: Bobbi Pohlman Rodgers)
• GDOT Local Bridge Replacement endorsement (Howell, two bridges): approved, 5–0 (motion: Justin Staten; second: Stanley Corbett)
• Animal Control contract (updated): approved, 5–0 (motion: Justin Staten; second: Stanley Corbett)
• Commissioner compensation (maintain ACCG guideline): approved, 4–1 (motion: Kenneth Petty; second: Bobby Walker; opposed: Stanley Corbett)

The board signed the minutes; the record lists Kenneth Petty, chairman, and Shana Carter, county clerk.