The Long County Commissioners are holding the line on increasing taxes by retaining the current tax millage of 15.695. Very small growth in the value of the tax digest means that the county will receive slightly more tax revenue next year, although the rate remains unchanged.

Long Countians will have three opportunities to ask questions about the proposed budget or make comments.

A public hearing will be held at the courthouse at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Two more hearings are scheduled for Sept. 3, one at 9:30 a.m. and one that same day at 6 p.m. The commissioners hope to adopt the final budget at their regular meeting Sept. 3.

At their regular meeting last Tuesday the commission approved the final plat for the Palmer Place subdivision. The vote was split 4-1 with Commissioner Mike Riddle voting no. Riddle has been critical of the county’s practice of allowing subdivisions to be built without sidewalks and allowing water and sewer infrastructure in violation of county ordinance.

The four yes votes came from Commissioners Clifton DeLoach, David Richardson and Michael Phillips and Chairman Robert Parker.

The commission authorized County Manager Chuck Scragg to get bids for the work needed for the commission to occupy the old high school. The commission had thought the preparation of the old school would be done in four stages but Scragg said three phases were ready for bidders and the final contract would be ready soon.

Commissioners say Long County needs a new ordinance to govern disorderly conduct, but no prepared draft was ready.

The commissioners selected Danny Norman, chairman of Long’s development authority, to represent the county on the Greater Savannah Regional Alliance. Chairman Parker is Long’s other representative.

In other business the commission:

• Named Michael McCall and Joe Sullivan to continue to serve on the library board of trustees;

• Reappointed Thelma Jean Anderson-Worth and Sue Woods to the election board; and,

• Appointed Chris Moss to the recreation board.

The commissioners held a short closed-door meeting which they said was to discuss personnel and real estate matters. Afterward they said no decision had been made.

Parker can be contacted via email at joeparkerjr@hotmail.com.