The Sumter County Board of Commissioners met on February 11. Chair David Baldwin was reelected chair, with Commissioners Mark Waddell, Jim Reid, and Jessie Smith for voting for Baldwin, and Clay Jones voting against.

County Attorney Hayden Hooks was reappointed as County attorney, with Waddell, Reid, and Baldwin for, and Jones and Smith against.

The Board then voted on the approval of a resolution encouraging State Representative Mike Cheokas to sponsor legislation increasing the current dollar and a half per line E911 fee to $3. The legislation, if passed, would take pressure off counties to supply funding not covered by the existing fee. Jones made a motion, seconded by Waddell, passing unanimously.

Parks and Recreation Director Tim Estes gave updates, including on the pickle ball courts. “We completed the construction portion of the pickleball courts themselves last week, and they look great. I am still waiting on Georgia Power to take the power from the pole to the new pole that Wayne’s Electric set where the meter will be.”

Estes gave time estimates on the pavilion next to the pickle ball courts. “We will begin construction next week on the picnic pavilion that will go adjacent to that, and they tell me that’ll take a couple of weeks to get built.”

Baldwin entertained a motion to appoint Kimberly Page to the Board of Tax Assessors. Waddell made a motion, seconded by Jones, passing unanimously.

Baldwin then entertained a motion to appoint Doug Goodin to the Board. Waddell made a motion, seconded by Reid. Smith and Jones voted against the appointment, with Baldwin breaking the tie in favor.