VALDOSTA —
County talks road abandonment, jail fire alarm upgrades in work session
by Jason Schaefer
The Valdosta Daily Times
VALDOSTA—The Lowndes County Board of Commissioners held their work session Tuesday morning to discuss an agenda of five items. Commissioners work sessions are usually held the Monday morning before regular Tuesday evening meetings, but the MLK holiday posed a conflict.
The Board discussed a beer, wine and liquor license for Rascal’s at 4875 Highway 41. The business is under new ownership, and the previous owner has not operated the establishment in several months.
Commissioners considered whether to set the interest rate for special paving and utility assessments at 5.25 percent for the 2013 calendar year. The County is required to set the interest rate at the beginning of the year. Last year’s rate was also 5.25 percent.
The County received a request from a property owner to abandon an 800-foot-long portion of Old State Road that dead-ends at a river. The Board will decide whether to declare that the road serves "no substantial public purpose" under state law. If it is declared as such, Georgia statute require for a public hearing before the portion of the road is declared abandoned.
The Board will consider whether to purchase parts to upgrade the fire alarm system in the old main jail in buildings 001 and 002, in pods A and B. The system failed its last inspection by the state fire marshal inspector. The repairs will cost $269,990.
Commissioners will also consider whether to appoint Chairman Bill Slaughter as the Lowndes County Representative on the Valdosta/Lowndes County Airport Authority to fill the position vacated by former Chairman Ashley Paulk. The Airport Authority has two non-voting members, a representative from the City of Valdosta and another from the County.
