The Liberty County Commission Thursday named engineer Marcus Sack to a vacant seat on the Liberty County Development Authority. Sack will be the third new face on the development panel which generally does not often see such major changes.
Last month the commissioners named Willa Lewis to replace Graylan Quarterman on the LCDA board and Hinesville City Council has appointed Luke Moses to replace longtime member Brian Smith.
Calilla Medina-Rivera was named to the tax assessor board.
The commissioners noted that Thursday’s meeting was the last one for Assistant County Administrator Bob Sprinkel who is retiring. Each commissioner present said a few complimentary words of Sprinkel, Chairman Donald Lovette especially pointed to Sprinkel’s work with youth – including the new youth commission – and the summer youth lunch program.
In a move that it is unusual because it costs no money the commissioners designated Crowder Gulf as standby contractor when the county needs emergency debris cleanup such as that left by hurricanes or severe storms.
Larry Logan, emergency management director, said the company had worked for Liberty County in the past and had done a good job. Costs will be incurred when Crowder Gulf actually does cleanup work.
County Attorney Kelly Davis gave the commissioners a draft of a new ethics policy for the commission. An ethics ordinance is expected to be adopted next month.
Davis pointed out several specifics:
• The ethics ordinance will apply only to county commissioners.
• There will be a “safe harbor” time period during election campaigns so complaints cannot be abused or manipulated at election time.
• Frivolous complaints maybe dismissed by the county attorney or other designee.
• A pool of volunteers may be recruited for possible service on the ethics board.
• Impermissible conflicts are carefully defined.
Former Hinesville Mayor Jim Thomas asked the commissioners for a letter of support and a donation to establish a Boys & Girls Club in Liberty County. Commission Chairman Donald Lovette said the letter of support would certainly be forthcoming and that he would seek a legal opinion on the commission donating to a nonprofit. “We love the concept,” Lovette said.