Lowndes County commissioners approve rezonings, infrastructure projects and equipment purchases
May 14, 2026 | Lowndes County, Georgia
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The Lowndes County Board of Commissioners on May 2026 approved a series of land‑use, infrastructure and procurement items, including two rezonings to commercial general (CG), acceptance of subdivision infrastructure, authorization to accept state road assistance funds and several equipment purchases and bid awards.
Mister Dillard presented REZ2026‑11, a request to rezone 4.8 acres at 4130 Old Bemis Road from R‑1/R‑10 to general commercial to allow repurposing of existing warehouse buildings for multi‑tenant commercial uses. "The request before you tonight is 4.8 acres to be rezoned for general commercial in order to allow the existing buildings to be repurposed," Mister Dillard said. Jack Langdale, representing Southern Forest Holdings, and broker Scott Alderman spoke in favor of the rezoning, describing likely low‑impact tenants such as offices or a daycare. Commissioners approved REZ2026‑11 with condition 1 and a modified condition 2 requiring clarified public access and developer obligations.
Commissioners also approved REZ2026‑12, a request to rezone 2.4 acres at 4909 Bemis Road to CG for a proposed childcare learning center that would serve more than six children; the planning commission recommended approval with a condition prohibiting alcohol package stores, clubs and similar uses. Bill Kent of Innovate Engineering told commissioners utilities, access and drainage meet requirements and estimated permitting and design would take several months.
On transportation and capital items, county staff reported the Georgia Department of Transportation included the FY2026 Local Road Assistance (LRA) in the amended state budget and Lowndes County's formula amount is $1,668,145.32 for resurfacing. Mister McLeod said the funds require no local match and will be distributed via the L‑MIG system; commissioners authorized submission and acceptance of the application.
The commission accepted infrastructure for Cypress Lake Subdivision Phase 5 Section 2 after staff confirmed final inspections and paperwork were complete. Commissioners also approved a local delivery application under the Transportation Investment Act to manage Old US‑41 North Widening Phase 4 locally, a project slated for letting in March 2030 pending GDOT agreements.
On procurement, the commission approved the purchase of three replacement servers because existing hardware has reached end of support. For resurfacing LMIG projects, staff reported two bids were received and The Scruggs Company was the low responsive bidder at $629,677.25; that award was approved. A debris‑hauler specification produced one responsive bid from 4 Star Freightliner at $375,814, which the commission awarded; commissioners noted the vehicle will expand county capacity for storm debris cleanup.
Other approved items included a beer and wine off‑premise license for Eagle Food Mart (change of ownership), and a resolution approving Series 2026 industrial authority bonds. All actions were moved, seconded and carried with no substantive floor debate recorded.
Votes at a glance: REZ2026‑11 (approved), REZ2026‑12 (approved), LRA application accepting $1,668,145.32 (approved), Cypress Lake Phase 5 Sec. 2 infrastructure acceptance (approved), Old US‑41 Phase 4 local delivery application (approved), LMIG resurfacing bid award to The Scruggs Company ($629,677.25) (approved), debris hauler award to 4 Star Freightliner ($375,814) (approved), server purchase (approved), industrial authority Series 2026 bonds resolution (approved), Eagle Food Mart beer & wine license (approved).
The board adjourned after hearing public comments on separate agenda items.
Mister Dillard presented REZ2026‑11, a request to rezone 4.8 acres at 4130 Old Bemis Road from R‑1/R‑10 to general commercial to allow repurposing of existing warehouse buildings for multi‑tenant commercial uses. "The request before you tonight is 4.8 acres to be rezoned for general commercial in order to allow the existing buildings to be repurposed," Mister Dillard said. Jack Langdale, representing Southern Forest Holdings, and broker Scott Alderman spoke in favor of the rezoning, describing likely low‑impact tenants such as offices or a daycare. Commissioners approved REZ2026‑11 with condition 1 and a modified condition 2 requiring clarified public access and developer obligations.
Commissioners also approved REZ2026‑12, a request to rezone 2.4 acres at 4909 Bemis Road to CG for a proposed childcare learning center that would serve more than six children; the planning commission recommended approval with a condition prohibiting alcohol package stores, clubs and similar uses. Bill Kent of Innovate Engineering told commissioners utilities, access and drainage meet requirements and estimated permitting and design would take several months.
On transportation and capital items, county staff reported the Georgia Department of Transportation included the FY2026 Local Road Assistance (LRA) in the amended state budget and Lowndes County's formula amount is $1,668,145.32 for resurfacing. Mister McLeod said the funds require no local match and will be distributed via the L‑MIG system; commissioners authorized submission and acceptance of the application.
The commission accepted infrastructure for Cypress Lake Subdivision Phase 5 Section 2 after staff confirmed final inspections and paperwork were complete. Commissioners also approved a local delivery application under the Transportation Investment Act to manage Old US‑41 North Widening Phase 4 locally, a project slated for letting in March 2030 pending GDOT agreements.
On procurement, the commission approved the purchase of three replacement servers because existing hardware has reached end of support. For resurfacing LMIG projects, staff reported two bids were received and The Scruggs Company was the low responsive bidder at $629,677.25; that award was approved. A debris‑hauler specification produced one responsive bid from 4 Star Freightliner at $375,814, which the commission awarded; commissioners noted the vehicle will expand county capacity for storm debris cleanup.
Other approved items included a beer and wine off‑premise license for Eagle Food Mart (change of ownership), and a resolution approving Series 2026 industrial authority bonds. All actions were moved, seconded and carried with no substantive floor debate recorded.
Votes at a glance: REZ2026‑11 (approved), REZ2026‑12 (approved), LRA application accepting $1,668,145.32 (approved), Cypress Lake Phase 5 Sec. 2 infrastructure acceptance (approved), Old US‑41 Phase 4 local delivery application (approved), LMIG resurfacing bid award to The Scruggs Company ($629,677.25) (approved), debris hauler award to 4 Star Freightliner ($375,814) (approved), server purchase (approved), industrial authority Series 2026 bonds resolution (approved), Eagle Food Mart beer & wine license (approved).
The board adjourned after hearing public comments on separate agenda items.
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