On the agenda: Jenkins County Regular Meeting Minutes — data center (Aug 24)

Regular Meeting Minutes

Jenkins County Board of Commissioners
Tuesday, August 11, 2026

4:00 P.M.

1. The Jenkins County Board of Commissioners met for its Regular Monthly Meeting on
Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at 4:00 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room at the
James L. Henry Administrative Building. Commissioners in attendance were Horace
Weathersby III, Tracie Coney, Mike Chance, Pamelia Dwight and Jonathan Powell.
Others in attendance were County Administrator Grady Saxon, Attorney Cindy Ballew,
Ms. Deborah Bennett, Mrs. Gwen Watson, Mr. Emmanuel Watson, Mrs. Debbie Hearn,
County Field Director Jason Oglesby, Ms. Julia Lassiter, Ms. Vivian Johnson, Mrs. Hilda
Walker, Mr. Charlie Walker, Mr. Edwin Lewis, Mr. Perry Lane, Mr. Brian Lane, Mr.
Manuel Godsey, and Ms. Shanelle Carr.

2. Chairman Horace Weathersby Ill called the meeting to order at 4:00 P.M. Commissioner
Mike Chance gave the Invocation and Chairman Weathersby led the Pledge of
Allegiance. Chairman Weathersby welcomed all those in attendance.

3. Chairman Weathersby asked if there were any changes to the AGENDA. Commissioner
Powell stated that Personnel needed to be changed from (2) to (3) under Executive
Session. A motion was made by Commissioner Powell and seconded by Commissioner
Coney to approve the AGENDA as amended. The motion carried unanimously.

4. Chairman Weathersby called for the approval of the Minutes from the July 14, 2026
Regular Meeting. A motion was made by Commissioner Powell and seconded by
Commissioner Chance to approve the Minutes from the July 14, 2026 Regular Meeting
as presented. The motion carried unanimously.

5. Under Personal Appearances, Mr. Perry Lane requested a variance to the County’s
Mobile Home Ordinance, as he wishes to add 8 additional mobile homes to his existing
park on Finch Road. He stated that he had received and presented to the Board the EPD
and DPH approvals for his planned additions, including the 8 new mobile homes and a
private water system. A motion was made by Commissioner Powell and seconded by
Commissioner Coney to approve the requested variance. The motion carried
unanimously.

6. Finally under Personal Appearances, Mr. Gray Blackburn stated that his property and
others in his neighborhood in Parker Estates is experiencing flooding and erosion since
the prison was built. He also stated that the erosion is causing the road to dip. He
requested that an engineer study the water flow and see if anything can be done to
change the water flow. Chairman Weathersby stated that we would have Parker
Engineering look at it.

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Under New Business, Mr. Saxon discussed and presented banking proposals from
Queensborough Bank and Durden Bank for Board review. The Board will come back to
this item later in the meeting.

Next under New Business, Mr. Saxon discussed some recent public outrage over data
centers in Effingham County and in the City of Statesboro. Mr. Saxon stated he had
conversed with Attorney Gross and discussed the possibility of a moratorium on data
centers until further research could be completed and an ordinance developed. After a
discussion, a motion was made by Commissioner Powell and seconded by Commissioner
Chance to have Attorney Ballew draft a moratorium on data centers. The motion carried
unanimously.

Next under New Business, Mr. Saxon stated that he and Attorney Gross had also
discussed the current Subdivision Ordinance, particularly the section regarding streets
and roads. He stated that the current ordinance mentions streets and roads. Mr. Saxon
stated that the ordinance is vague in that a subdivision could have dirt roads. Mr. Saxon
then suggested a moratorium on new subdivisions until the ordinance could be revised.
A motion was made by Commissioner Powell and seconded by Commissioner Coney to
draft a moratorium on new subdivisions. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was
made by Commissioner Powell and seconded by Commissioner Coney to revise the
current Subdivision Ordinance. The motion carried unanimously. Mr. Saxon will send a
copy of the current Subdivision Ordinance to Attorney Ballew.

Under Field Director’s Report, Field Director Oglesby discussed the issues with the 6-7”
of rain over the last couple weeks. He also stated that the grass cutters are currently on
the third round of cutting so far.

. Attorney Ballew did not have an Attorney’s Report.

Under Administrator’s Report, County Administrator Grady Saxon stated that he had
included budget summaries in the Commissioners’ packets and that the average percent
spent/received should be close to 85%, based on the number of pay dates in the current
year. He also stated that the Board would need to schedule some Budget Work Sessions
over the next month in order to stay on track with the budget rollover on October 1.

Next under Administrator’s Report, Mr. Saxon reported that he had included in the
Board packets the 2025 Sales Ratio Study from the Georgia Department of Audits and
Accounts.

. Next under Administrator’s Report, Mr. Saxon stated that Chairman Weathersby had

inquired which LMIG projects were currently listed. Mr. Saxon stated the following:
LMIG 2026-North Herndon Road-Out for bid now-will present in September

LRA 2026-Elam Road-Out for bid now-will present in September

LMIG 2027-Big Buckhead Church Road-will likely bid in spring or summer 2027

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Mr. Saxon stated that the LRA funds are not guaranteed and its continuation would be
decided by the new Governor.

Next under Administrator’s Report, Mr. Saxon stated that Gregory Bridge Company will
be closing West Old Savannah Road near Deep Creek Church starting this Friday in order
to replace the bridge over Deep Creek. He stated that the closure would last for 150
calendar days and that Gregory would be placing detour signs.

Next under Administrator’s Report, Mr. Saxon stated that the Board had received a
Thank You card from Krystal Coney for the Board allowing the use of the Ag Building for
ROX Foundation’s Back to School Giveaway.

Next under Administrator’s Report, Mr. Saxon revisited the potential Jake Brake
Ordinance. The Board agreed not to proceed with it due to problems with enforcement.

Finally under Administrator’s Report, Mr. Saxon stated that the drainage project on Old
Louisville Road was complete. He stated that he would be processing the
reimbursement request through GEMA as soon as the check clears.

Next, the Board revisited the Banking Proposals from earlier. Mr. Saxon stated that he
sent out requests for banking proposals to each of the local banks. He stated that he
only received proposals from Queensborough and Durden. He discussed the proposals
presented to the Board members earlier in the meeting. After a discussion, a motion
was made by Commissioner Powell and seconded by Commissioner Coney to stay with
Queensborough. The motion carried unanimously.

Next, Mr. Saxon discussed a current line of credit for $1 million with Queensborough. He
stated that the line was scheduled to renew on August 18, 2026 and would cost about
$250 to renew it. If it was closed and then needed later, it would cost about $1,000 to
restart the process. A motion was made by Commissioner Chance and seconded by
Commissioner Powell to keep the line of credit with Queensborough. The motion
carried unanimously.

There was no Chairman’s Report.

. A motion was made by Commissioner Coney and seconded by Commissioner Chance to

enter Executive Session at 4:40 P.M. The motion carried unanimously.

A motion was made by Commissioner Chance and seconded by Commissioner Coney to
exit Executive Session at 5:49 P.M. The motion carried unanimously. All Commissioners
signed an affidavit stating that only three personnel matters and two real estate matters
were discussed.

The Board members signed all necessary meeting documents.

Chairman Weathersby adjourned the meeting at 5:49 P.M.

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Jonathan Powell “attest: Grady Saxon, Administrator