Storm recovery, main topic of Commissioners’ meeting

The regular meeting of the Emanuel County Board of Commissioners was held Monday, November 18, 2024, at the Emanuel County Courthouse. Chairman Hugh Foskey opened the 6 p.m. meeting, and following an invocation by County Attorney Richard McNeely, Commissioner Jim Sherrod led the Pledge of Allegiance. Minutes of the October 24, 2024, meeting were approved, and Chairman Foskey then welcomed Brian Beard with the Small Business Administration who provided a detailed explanation of the disaster relief services of SBA in conjunction with those of FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Administration). Beard commented that there is no cost to apply for help from either agency and that the deadline for doing so is January 7, 2025. A temporary center for helping storm-affected people in this area is now open at the Swainsboro Campus of Southeastern Tech on Kite Road. In old business, the Commissioners were again made aware of a vacancy on the Department of Family and Children Services. County Administrator Guy Singletary encouraged those who may consider serving on the DFCS Board to contact their commissioner or the office of the Board of Commissioners and indicate their interest. In new business, Singletary reviewed the progress in the ongoing challenge of storm recovery and clean- up in Emanuel County. The major contracts that have been the core of the rehabilitation efforts following Hurricane Helene were formally approved during the meeting by the unanimous vote of the Board. These contracts included agreements with FEMA for administrative involvement, as well as agreements with contractors for the physical collection and transport of storm debris and the monitoring required to ensure compliance and reimbursement of expenses the county has incurred. An additional contract with the cities of Emanuel County, as well as with Johnson County specified the intergovernmental agreement that will simplify the collection of debris in those municipal areas of the county and some limited areas shared by Johnson and Emanuel County. Administrator Singletary commented that the scale of damage suffered throughout the county has become much wider and more evident as the clean-up moves along. Due largely to the geographic size of Emanuel County, and also the extensive network of dirt roads in heavily wooded areas, the total cubic yardage of debris has far exceeded the earlier estimates of the total job. Even though the work has consistently moved forward, there is still much more to be done. Singletary left no doubt that the county would finish the job, but he encouraged everyone to do their best to get all storm debris moved from their property to the roadside as soon as possible.

In other business, the Administrator brought the Board up to date on the construction of the new county office building located adjacent to the Post Office. Singletary said the project was on schedule and nearing completion with an anticipated opening date in February. The county has several other major projects currently in process. Singletary said the county was carefully monitoring the progression of new projects at the recreation complex including the gym renovation, the softball complex and the construction of a competition size swimming pool. The Administrator concluded his new project update with the status of the new radio communication system for county law enforcement and emergency services. This important project continues to move toward completion in the coming year. Following these updates, it was agreed that 2025 should be a year of major progress for Emanuel County. On that note, the agenda was concluded, and the meeting was adjourned.

‘);