Stewart County commissioners accept $197,200 EMS building bid; county reports ambulances ordered with 18‑month delivery estimate

The Stewart County Board of Commissioners voted Sept. 10 to accept a $197,200 bid from Fortified Building Services, LLC for construction of a new EMS building.

The decision came after the board opened bids for the project; Commissioner Thomas Mayo moved to accept Fortified Building Services' bid and Commissioner Tyrone Nelson seconded. The minutes record that "All voted in favor and motion carried." The meeting convened at 4:30 p.m. at the Stewart County Courthouse with Vice‑Chair Arcola Scott presiding.

Public Safety Administrator Greg Stewart presented the August 2024 EMS report. Stewart told the commission that Stewart County "passed the inspection without any issues," that new ambulances have been ordered with an estimated 18‑month delivery timeline, and that equipment purchases were made using funds from the county's Fireworks Tax Grant.

County Attorney Bin Minter also briefed the board on legal matters and noted that an open records request for the Stewart County Water Authority will be submitted by Sept. 23, 2024. Manager Mac Moye provided a routine administrative report covering Aug. 13–Sept. 10, 2024. The minutes record that Road Superintendent Gene Haynes has died; as a result, no verbal roads report was provided.

Other items at the meeting included a presentation of the Georgia Forestry Commission annual report for FY 2023–2024 by Doug Redding and a brief public appearance by David MacGregor of ATMAX Equipment Co., who provided a quote overview for a Mower Max Boom Mower after the board amended the agenda to add his appearance.

Votes at a glance
• Agenda amendment to add ATMAX appearance — mover: Vice‑Chair Arcola Scott; second: Commissioner Tyrone Nelson; outcome: passed (minutes: "All voted in favor and motion carried").
• Approval of July 27 and Aug. 13 minutes — mover: Commissioner Joe Lee Williams; second: Commissioner Thomas Mayo; outcome: passed (minutes: "All voted in favor and motion carried").
• Acceptance of Fortified Building Services, LLC bid for EMS building ($197,200) — mover: Commissioner Thomas Mayo; second: Commissioner Tyrone Nelson; outcome: passed (minutes: "All voted in favor and motion carried").
• Acceptance of August 2024 financial reports — mover: Commissioner Joe Lee Williams; second: Commissioner Tyrone Nelson; outcome: passed (minutes: "All voted in favor and motion carried").
• Adjournment — mover: Commissioner Joe Lee Williams; second: Commissioner Thomas Mayo; outcome: passed (minutes: "All voted in favor and motion carried").

The minutes note that Commissioner Tyrone Nelson left the meeting at 5:36 p.m.; the record also shows the adjournment occurred at 5:55 p.m. and states votes were carried with "All voted in favor," which the minutes do not reconcile with the departure time for Nelson. The meeting minutes were signed by Mary C. Rushin, Assistant County Clerk, and Vice‑Chair Arcola Scott.

No new ordinances, resolutions, or formal financial appropriations were recorded in the minutes for Sept. 10. The board adjourned at 5:55 p.m.