At its meeting Tuesday, Lowndes County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the request by the Hospital Authority of Valdosta-Lowndes County for the county to enter into an intergovernmental contract between the entities in support of South Georgia Medical Center’s issuance of $150 million in revenue certificates.

The bonds will allow SGMC to pay off former bond debt and to pay for current and future building and expansion projects for the hospital. By accessing the county’s bond rating, SGMC will save $1.5 million by paying off former debt and nearly $16 million over the lifetime of the bonds.

Chairman Ashley Paulk said the approval was a “no-brainer” for the commission.

“SGMC is one of our largest employers and is a very valuable asset in this community. This was not a difficult decision for our commissioners to make, as it saves taxpayer dollars in the long run.”

At the beginning of the commission meeting, four 4-H students and 4-H administrator Melinda Miller made a special presentation to the county for its support of the program over the years. Miller said the Kids Dig-It program has attracted more than 4,000 attendees over the last four years, allowing 4-H to raise $18,500 towards a new van, which the county is assisting in purchasing.

The 4-H students, Clay Hurdle, Jordan Sample, Taylor Casteen and Michaela Fontaine, presented a plaque to the commissioners for their support of youth education.

Commissioners also unanimously approved:

• rezoning at 4401 Bemiss Road for a Fred’s Dept. Store;

• Greater Lowndes 2030 Comprehensive Plan updates;

• a change order for HVAC at the Lowndes County Jail;

• a request to purchase a new OptiView XG Network Analysis Tablet to assist the IT department with technical issues;

• to move the November meeting date to Tuesday, Nov. 8, at 5:30 p.m. There will be only one meeting in November due to the holiday.

The lone citizen to be heard, Gretchen Quarterman, thanked commissioners for their observance of open government and apologized to County Planner Jason Davenport for things she said to him prior to the meeting, due to a “misunderstanding,” she said.

The County Commission’s next meeting will be on Oct. 25.

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