A public hearing was held recently at the Long County Courthouse to begin steps in changing the permit fees for different services related to construction in the county.  

Few people attended the Feb. 2 hearing. Some of the permit charges are $100 per acre for any land disturbance, $580 for general commercial projects less than 5 acres, and $860 for projects more than 5 acres. Residential subdivisions begin at $950 for those having one to five units and increase to $2,700 for those having more than 21 units.  

Solar farms begin at $500 for 3-10 acres and increase to $2,500 for more than 25 acres, plus $5 per solar panel.

Improvement fees for homes range from $100 to $1,000, depending on the size of the project. Projects 200 total square feet or less do not have a charge. Inspections for swimming pools are $100, and electrical inspections are $35.  

According to the county attorney, the final public hearing will take place at 5:30 p.m. March 1. The March Board of Commissioners meeting will follow at 6 p.m., with the fee schedule to be voted on then.

In other matters, the city of Ludowici and Long County Protective Services Auxiliary made two donations to Long County Animal Control. The auxiliary donated a tranquilizer gun, and the city gave animal catch-and-release traps.

“There was a need for the traps, and the city was happy to do all that they could to help,” Ludowici Mayor James Fuller said.

Commissioners approved using Bragg Truckin of Millen to dispose of tires obtained by the county. Chief Code Enforcement Officer John Bradley said the county shop has between 1,200 and 1,500 old tires. It costs $1.50 to dispose a standard tire, $7 for a dump-truck tire and $10 for a tractor tire.  

Bradley said that it would cost around $2,500 to dispose of all of the tires that the county has now. He said that officials from Bragg Trucking said they also would put a trailer at the county shop in which more tires may be placed. Bradley said a grant was being applied for, with the intent of being reimbursed for the cost.  

The commissioners also approved accepting and maintaining the roads for subdivisions on Pineview Drive Southeast and Mill Pond Lane Southeast.