The Long County Commission has named five new members to the development authority and discussed priorities for road work.
The Long County Development Authority is governed by a nine-member board; with five vacant seats the board did not have a quorum and was unable to hold official meetings.
Jimmy Shanken, Kerry Hunt, Daisy Jones, Wallace Shaw and Brent Klinedinest were appointed to the development authority board.
The commissioners reviewed lists of needed road and street work and considered funds from the Georgia Department of Transportation’s Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant program and revenue expected from a special local option sales tax that goes before voters next month.
Commission Chairman Mike Riddle said the Elim Church Road project had been added to the Hinesville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s long term federal project list.
Elim Church Road is a primary connector between Long and Liberty counties, is heavily used and goes through an area that is seeing business growth. The commissioners put 3.2 miles of the road on their project list for next year.
Rye Patch Road is on the commissioners’ list for 2019; a little more than four miles of the road will be improved under the short range plan adopted Tuesday. Joe Kennedy5 percent, and recreation is allocated 10 percent. Road is listed for work in 2020; a little less than four miles are included in this project.
Roads are slated to get 25 percent of the anticipated SPLOST income. Public safety will get the largest share, 65 percent, and recreation is allocated 10 percent.
The commissioners renewed a contract with Long County Health Center for operation of the employee wellness program. Riddle asked that county’s group insurance plan be checked to avoid duplication of services.
Long County’s finance chief, Bernice Johnson, gave a report showing a bank balance of $1.8 million. She said Long County had a reserve equal to operating cost for two months.
The commissioners held a closed-door meeting to discuss personnel and potential litigation. No action was taken following the executive session. A lawsuit has been threatened by constitutional officers who disagree with the commission’s recent action to control use of budgeted funds.