WAYNE COUNTY WRAP-UP

(The Wayne County Board of Commissioners voted on and/or discussed the following items at its Dec. 2 meeting.) ·Hickox service- The Board recognized outgoing Commissioner Jamie Hickox for her service during the past two years as a commissioner. ·First-responder insurance-The Board approved the purchase of new state-mandated insurance-for PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) in first responders-for $23, 328 a year from the ACCG (Association County Commissioners of Georgia) Interlocal risk Management Agency. ·Federal relief funds-The Board approved intergovernmental agreements that will meet the requirement that all American Rescue Plan funds be obligated by the end of this year. ·Project updates- The Heart of Georgia Altamaha Regional Commission office ha

s just sent the county an RFP (request for proposals) for finding someone to design the proposed new courthouse annex, according to County Administrator Paul Drawdy. Drawdy also noted that an architect is still being sought for the proposed new senior center. ·Appointments-The commissioners approved Kevin McCrary's nomination of Ralph Trapnell to succeed at-large member Randy Franks (who was just elected to Hickox's Board of Commissioners seat) on the Wayne County Development Authority. The commissioners also approved Wayne Development Authority Executive Director Dell Keith's reappointment as an atlarge member of the Coastal Area District Development Authority. In addition, the commissioners approved J

ames "Boot" Thomas' nomination of Jackie Hoyte to succeed Derrick Williams as the county's third-party appointment to the Regional Commission Board. In regard to the Wayne County Board of Tourism, the commissioners approved Chair Mike Gordon's nominations of Sharon McCrary and Tracy Smith to succeed at-large members Angie Parker and Juanita Smith, respectively, in addition to approving the reappointment of at-large member Adam Thomas. (Commissioner McCrary abstained from the vote on his wife.) In regard to the Grievance Committee, the commissioners approved Thomas' nomination of Bruce Wynn to succeed Leroy Weatherspoon as the African-American appointment. The commissioners also approved other Wayne elected officials' nomination of Tracy Lindsey as the female appointment. ·Service routes-In response to Evangelist Copeland's complaint about having to cross the road in front of her residence to access her mailbox and trash cart, Drawdy noted that the U.S. Postal Service determines where mailboxes need to be placed and that Republic Services determines where trash carts need to be placed. Drawdy also pointed out that the locations are set to maximize efficiency in service routes for mail carriers and trash trucks.