There is more quality time with the grandchildren — and maybe a few more hours in the deer stand — in Joey Brown’s future.

The longtime administrator for Liberty County government is retiring and conducted his last meeting in the position March 20.

“Words cannot express the gratitude this community owes you, my friend,” Chairman Donald Lovette said. “Liberty County has been blessed to have you in leadership. We can see the fruit of your labor all around us.”

Brown’s 33 years as county administrator are being celebrated today in a farewell ceremony at the East End Complex.

“From the bottom of my heart, I really appreciate you,” Commissioner Justin Frasier said to Brown.

Frasier recalled how Brown helped him ease into his position on the board of commissioners when he was first elected.

“It was definitely a learning curve for me,” Frasier said. “But having a county administrator with your expertise and knowledge helped make the transition easy. You have left Liberty County in a better place.”

Commissioner Timmy Blount is the newest member of the board but also expressed how knowledgeable Brown is about the workings of county government.

Added Commissioner Eddie Walden, “Joey has taught me a lot. He’s been a big help to me.”

Commissioners also praised for his in-depth knowledge of county government and his ability to quickly recall facts and figures during their meetings.

“Taxes (are) a guarantee. Death is a guarantee. Trouble is a guarantee,” said Commissioner Gary Gilliard. “But Joey Brown knowing county government, that’s a guarantee.”

Pinching the pennies

While the county commission often is criticized for how much money it spends, commissioners are quick to point out how frugal Brown is with the county’s finances.

“Joey Brown can take a knife and scrape the brown off a penny,” mused Commissioner Marion Stevens. “That’s how tight he is.”

“Some people think we overspend,” added Commissioner Frasier, “but let me tell you, I don’t know anyone in the world who is more frugal than he is.”

Even past members of the commissioners took note of Brown’s reluctance to spend money.

“He could be a little bit tight on the money,” mused former chairman John McIver.

Added Commissioner Connie Thrift, “This one man we can truly say watches the money and I can say that as a taxpayer. And that’s why we’re in the shape we’re in. The county’s in a good financial position.”

But still finding a way

McIver recalled getting to know and work with Brown in the days after the commission was known for its public infighting.

“I enjoyed working with Joey,” McIver, now chairman of the county elections board, said.

Stevens began working with Brown when 911 was first established, prior to Stevens being elected to the board of commissioners. He also said that even when they had a difference of opinion, it was handled with respect.

“Did we always agree on everything? No,” Stevens said. “But at the end of the day, we were here for the citizens of Liberty County. If you take everyone in a family always agreeing, you’ll never come up with any good ideas.”

Thrift pointed to Brown’s steadiness and even-handedness in the day-to-operation of the county. New chief assessor Keith Payne said he was pleasantly surprised when Brown came down to his office to introduce himself and ask if he needed any help.

“I’ve never seen Joey get mad,” Thrift said. “I’ve never his temper flare. He’s level-headed. He’s quick to correct in a positive way.”

McIver acknowledged that Brown could be convinced to spend money on a project if the details and its benefits were in place. McIver pointed to the water lines and water system the county now has. The county wasn’t in the water business, until a pastor made a plea to help the Screven Fork community, where the shallow wells weren’t providing healthy drinking water.

“The county had never been in a position where it had done water and sewer,” McIver said. “I told him I will do what I can to help him. I made that promise to him. I told Joey, ‘Why can’t we do that?’” With McIver’s insistence, Brown started finding ways to get federal grants and other funding sources to start a water system and bring good water to residents whose shallow wells were failing them.

McIver, on a trip to Washington, D.C., with a Liberty County delegation, met with U.S. Department of Agriculture and with then U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston’s office. But there were conditions the county had to meet, McIver admitted.

“He was diligent,” McIver said. “If it wasn’t for Joey, we might have lost that money. He made it work. He took it and ran with it.

“I give Joey all the credit for being the administrator he was to see that it happened and doing his best to make it happen.”

When McIver became chairman following the election of 2002, the county needed to improve in its infrastructure and a lot of its capital buildings. Chief among those was the justice center, and now the Atlantic Judicial Circuit has been expanded to five sitting judges.

“He found a way to try to make it work,” McIver said of Brown. “We were at a time where the county had to do a lot of capital improvements. Joey was very cooperative in working with the board and making sure we got those things accomplished. I was surprised how knowledgeable he was. He was able to get in there and work with contractors. He just made it work.”

McIver said when he saw a need around the county, he sat down with Brown to figure out a way to get it done.

“You could bring the idea to him and he would do his best to make his idea come to fruition,” McIver said.

Building a fire station out in Gum Branch was one such example, McIver pointed. Proceeds from the special purpose local option sales tax helped build and equip the station.

“I said, ‘Connie, you’re going to get that station in Gum Branch.’ And Joey was able to do it,” McIver said.

“In the end, Joey will find the funds,” Thrift said. “We may need to wait six months. In the end, we normally can get it done and he will find the resources. He has that vision of being able to do that. It’s not been easy. The roads get bumpy sometimes. But he’s been able to navigate us and keep us together.”

Though Brown was born and raised in Liberty County, and his family traces its roots back several generations locally, McIver was surprised another larger government entity didn’t pluck him from his spot.

“As good as he is, I’m surprised someone didn’t offer to hire him and come work at a larger and more populated county,” McIver said.

While Brown has been preparing new county administrator Joseph Mosley to take his place over the last few years, Lovette commended Brown for his years of service with the county and to the community.

“He has positioned Liberty County as one of Georgia’s leading counties in planning, networking and infrastructure development and installation,” Lovette said. “His love for his native Liberty County and its people was always evident in his inclusive expressions and visible support of the county’s rich history and growing diverse population.

“Joey’s institutional knowledge, ability to identify cost efficient but functional alternatives and his personable approach with all stakeholders has been an invaluable asset to the success of Liberty County government. For that, he will be long remembered.”