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Lucas C. Allison

Dispatch Correspondent

The Wilcox Board of Commissioners Held its regular monthly meeting. Tuesday, April 1st, 2025. Present for the meeting were Chairman Jamie Handley, Commissioners Jowan Johnson, Mel Powell. Kearney Hair. Vice Chairman. Clay Reid was absent. County Manager Michael Pomirko, Toni Sawyer the County Attorney.  The meeting was called to order by Chairman Handley, Invocation by me and all in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance.  Minutes from the March 4^th regular meeting, March 18^th workshop meeting, March 18^th special called meeting and March 25^th special called meeting were approved after being properly moved and seconded.

Under New Business: Adam Dowdy, Road Superintendent reported that he had traveled to Lawrenceburg, TN, and purchased three used trucks from Gowen Wholesale Auto as previously authorized by the Board of Commissioners for $47,900, which was under the 50,000.00 the commissioners authorized him to spend. Mileage on the trucks ranged from145,000-168,000 miles.  Two were long wheeled base and one was short wheeled based with quad cabs, these vehicles will allow the road department to retire vehicles that were long overdue to be replaced and put the Road Department fleet in good shape.  The second item on agenda under new business was the appointment of Gordon Studstill as the seventh member of Wilcox Economic Development Authority Board this was approved after being properly moved and seconded. County Manager Pomirko advised board members that the Development Authority was still one member short due to the resignation of Jeremy King who due to his employment with the FSA office is not eligible to serve.

Under Old Business: Commissioners approved increases to the 2025-2026 budgets of the Wilcox Superior Court with an increase of $6,854.00 and to the Public Defenders Budget increase of $9.764.00 after being properly moved and seconded.  The next agenda item under old business was the approval of Griffin Grading with a bid of $24,000.00 for grading and paving the dirt road adjacent to Pope City Baptist Church after being properly moved and seconded, Griffin was the low bidder on the project the other bid was submitted by Owen and Sons for 29,500.00.

County Manager Pomirko reported that he  submitted an application for FY  2026, to Senator John Ossoff’s office for fire protection for Wilcox County.  He stated he is working with Adam at the Road Department regarding the intersection of Owensboro Road with Highway 215 to make sure the county everything in order for the Georgia Department of Transportation.  Mr. Pomirko gave all commissioners  a 2025-2026 budget calendar with dates of scheduled meetings. The TSPLOST/TIA agreement has been executed for the Cemetery Road project.

Pomirko stated they are still waiting for the results of the road samples taken on Barentine Road to explore the options to repair.  It was noted that no rock would be needed for the project which will result in lower costs to repair.

A motion to enter Executive Session was approved after being properly moved and seconded to discuss personnel and consult with the County Attorney.  A motion to exit Executive Session and resume the regular meeting was approved after being properly moved and seconded.   As a result of Executive Session Commissioner Mel Powell made a motion for the county proceed with the purchase of two ambulances from vendor ETR for $261,000.00 each with one to be delivered in a few months that originally was due to be received in February 2024. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Jowan Johnson with all voting to approve.  Mr. Powell then made a motion to adjourn which was approved after being properly seconded. The Wilcox Board of Commissioners meet in their office located in the courthouse in Abbeville on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30PM.