10/14/2026
Burke County Commission Meeting Summary
The commission approved the agenda and the minutes from its September 3, 8, 11, and 22 meetings.
Major decisions
Sheriff’s compensation: The commission approved raising the sheriff’s total salary to $120,000 in connection with oversight of code enforcement.
Contract awards: Commissioners approved Watson & Knox for supplemental benefits brokerage and enrollment, S & S Distributing for cleaning chemicals and paper supplies, and GMASS for the tax assessor’s reevaluation update project .
Recreation master plan: JLA was selected to develop the plan, in part because it is local and has worked with the county before.
Staffing: The commission authorized filling an E-911 dispatch supervisor position and any resulting vacancy, plus vacancies for a vehicle mechanic, full-time recreation athletic coordinator, and clerk of court administrative assistant. It also authorized advertising for a new chief appraiser.
CHINS grant: The commission denied the juvenile court’s request to accept a $37,500 no-match grant for services to children in need of supervision.
Airport: Commissioners approved the airport’s five-year capital improvement plan and a resolution for the runway rehabilitation project. The plan is a planning document, not a commitment to fund every listed project. The runway project’s local share was described as about $163,000, including the cost of retaining asphalt millings.
EMA staffing: The commission approved filling existing EMA vacancies, subject to budget limits. The department reported 20 applicants and said the hiring could help reduce overtime.
Annexation proposal
The commission discussed Hephzibah’s notice of intent to annex roughly 554 acres in Burke County. County officials said they had received limited information and had not made a decision. A joint meeting with Hephzibah was scheduled for Friday at 9 a.m. The county attorney explained that the commission would have 30 days after that meeting to object; any objection would be decided through a court process.
Residents who spoke raised concerns about the county’s identity, possible future expansion, and potential effects on taxes, fire protection, garbage service, and road maintenance. Commissioners expected to consider the matter at a public meeting within the 30-day window.
Other discussion and reports
Judicial circuit study: A preliminary review compared the Ogeechee and Middle circuits. The county’s request for a fuller analysis had already been submitted; officials expected it to take a couple of months.
Broadband: The county was finalizing locations for a broadband grant application, with the service list due Friday. Officials estimated a potential grant of $10–12 million.
Road department: Officials discussed bidding out beaver trapping at several problem locations after repeated road damage, including at Thompson Bridge.
Sheriff’s Office: The interim sheriff reported that narcotics, crime suppression, and gang units were operating; patrol staffing had increased from seven to about 10–11 officers without added salary cost. The office is also working to restore state accreditation.
IT and addressing: The new IT director described a 90-day plan, equipment inventory, and work to improve county addressing so emergency services and broadband providers can locate residents more reliably.
Recreation events: The department announced a community yard sale and “Boo in the Park,” along with breast cancer awareness activities.
The meeting ended with the commission entering executive session to discuss two legal matters.
