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The Sumter County Board of Commissioners met on January 14. The Board heard a request by the Payroll Development Authority for parcel number 2726-98-1 to be rezoned from agricultural to light industrial. The motion to rezone passed unanimously. The rezoning effort is to create a new sustainable industrial park next to the existing Ted Baldwin Industrial Park.

The Board then heard a request from Fat Boys Gas and Go LLC to rezone parcel number from 1522-148-1 from agricultural to general business C2. The rezoning is requested for a new convenience store. The motion to rezone passed unanimously.

The Board then heard a request from Leah Watson, Sumter County Tax Commissioner, to approve a waiver of certain penalties and interest by the Sumter County Tax Commissioner. Watson detailed the proposal. “This resolution is to give the Tax Commissioner authority to waive penalties and interest on situations where people can’t help, to where they did not pay their taxes.” Watson stated that several people had asked for relief. “By law, I can’t remove interest and penalties without your approval. So it’s in your hands now.” She stated she could bring people in on a one-on-one basis if they wanted to go ahead with the resolution. “I will make this clear. You’ve got to have trust in me to make the right decision before you pass this.” County Attorney Hayden Hooks suggested guidelines. The resolution was tabled.

Fire Chief and EMA director Jerry Harmon addressed the board, speaking of Operation Dovetail, codename for the Presidential funeral. He listed those who lent their efforts to aid the County.

Sheriff’s Department, Public Works, Building and Grounds, Department of Public Health, GEMA, Department of Defense, Americus Fire and Emergency Services, Allentown, Phoebe Sumter, Valdosta Fire Department, Goldstar, Lowndes County, Lee County Fire Department and EMS, Tifton County Fire, Tift County Fire, Tift County EMS, Dougherty County EMS, South Georgia Medical, Hope EMS, Thomas County, Worth County, and Marion County. He also stated a vast array of law enforcement lined the streets.

Parks and Rec Director Tim Estes addressed the Board. “Before I get into Parks and Rec I want to tell you we hosted several of the undercover folks that came in for the funeral, as well as some GEMA folks and two sniper teams.” He noted their response. “He said, I can’t get over the teamwork that your sheriff’s department and your fire department, your EMA folks [have].”

Estes gave further updates. “We are 100% complete at Rock Hill and 100% complete at the splash pad. And today released payment of the 10% retainage. . . on those projects. We’re about 50% complete on the pickleball courts.” The Pickle Ball Court is at 408 Rucker Street. The Splash Pad is at the same address, but behind The Columns at Boone Park and Community Center. The splash pad is open during June, July, and August from 2:00-6:00 pm.