On the agenda: Warner Robins Meeting Minutes — data center (Jul 21)

Houston County Commissioners Meeting
July 21, 2026
Warner Robins, Georgia
The Houston County Board of Commissioners met in Regular Session at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday,
July 21, 2026, at the Houston County Annex in Warner Robins, Georgia. Chairman Perdue
presided, and Commissioners Byrd, Robinson, and Talton were present. Director of
Administration Robbie Dunbar, Director of Operations Brian Jones, and County Attorney Tom
Hall were also present. Commissioner Gottwals was not in attendance.
Commissioner Robinson led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Reverend Jon Brown of First United Methodist Church, Warner Robins, spoke about the
concept of Shalom, or unity, togetherness, and cooperation, and referenced a verse from the
Book of Jeremiah on the subject. He equated that to the work of the Board and community
leaders. He then spoke about his church, which is celebrating 85 years, and gave details about
the church’s ministries to the community through its food pantry, soup kitchen, and serving
others. Following his message and remarks about First United Methodist Church of Warner
Robins, he gave the invocation.
Each Commissioner expressed appreciation to Reverend Brown for the encouraging message,
the church’s ministry and service in the community, and recognition of the long history that the
church has in Warner Robins. Commissioner Byrd mentioned that his grandparents were among
the first members of the church after it was organized.
Chairman Perdue explained that, before the Commissioners meeting, several employees were
recognized for their longevity of service. He asked that George Felder come forward and be
recognized for his 30 years of service to the County, currently serving as the supervisor over the
custodial staff. Mr. Felder’s family was also in attendance and recognized.
Chairman Perdue recognized County Attorney Tom Hall on his 70th birthday and recognized
his wife, Marsha, and family members in attendance.
Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Byrd, to approve the minutes from the July 7, 2026,
meeting. Upon voting, Mr. Talton, Mr. Byrd, and Ms. Robinson voted yes. Motion carried.
Director of Administration Robbie Dunbar gave the 2nd reading for a new Alcohol License for
Keyur Patel, owner of 96 Market Inc., for the sale of beer and wine for use off-premises at 295
Old Highway 96, Suite B, Bonaire, Georgia, 31005. The first reading was held at the July 7,
2026, Commissioner’s Meeting.
Chairman Perdue opened a Public Hearing on the application for an alcohol license at 295 Old
Highway 96, Suite B.
There being no comments, Chairman Perdue closed the Public Hearing and reconvened the
meeting.
Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Byrd, to approve the alcohol license for the retail sale
of beer and wine for use off premises at 295 Old Highway 96, Suite B, Bonaire, Georgia 31005.
Upon voting, Ms. Robinson, Mr. Byrd, and Mr. Talton voted yes. Motion carried.
Ms. Robinson presented a request from the City of Perry for the annexation of eight parcels on
Highway 127.
Chairman Perdue opened the floor for Public Comments.
There being no comments, the meeting continued.
Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Talton, to concur with the City of Perry’s request to
annex 20.01 acres on Highway 127, known as Tax Parcels 000560 030000; 000560 060000;
000560 056000; 000560 055000; 000560 054000; 000560 053000; 000560 031000; and 000560
32A000, with a zoning change from County R-AG and County C-2 to Perry C-2. Upon voting,
Ms. Robinson, Mr. Talton, and Mr. Byrd voted yes. Motion carried.
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Ms. Robinson presented a request from the City of Warner Robins for annexation of property
located on S. Amanda Place.
Chairman Perdue opened the floor for Public Comments.
Kimberly Pritchard, Rhonda Moore, Lynn Johnson, and Chris Pritchard all spoke against the
rezoning of 104 S. Amanda Place.
With no further comments, the meeting continued.
Chairman Perdue, Commissioner Byrd, Commissioner Talton, Commissioner Robinson, and
County Attorney Tom Hall made comments on the annexation.
Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Byrd, to concur with the City of Warner Robins’s
request for annexation of property located at 100 and 104 S. Amanda Place, containing 4.53
acres known as Tax Parcels 00074E 099000 and 00074E 172000, with a zoning change of
County R1 to City C2, with the following stipulation:
•
•

No access to S. Amanda Place; access only at the traffic light on Houston Lake Road.
The existing natural buffer to be enhanced wherever needed to provide year-round
opaque screening from the residential properties adjacent to the site.

Upon voting, Ms. Robinson, Mr. Byrd, and Mr. Talton voted yes. Motion carried.
Mr. Talton presented a request for approval of a grant for the Accountability Court to assist in
addressing offenders arrested for drug charges or mental health disorders.
Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Ms. Robinson, to approve grant number AW-ACFP-27-071
for $311,095, with required matching funds of $54,899 to be provided from the D.A.T.E. Fund,
totaling $365,994. The grant period is from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027. Upon voting, Mr.
Talton, Ms. Robinson, and Mr. Byrd voted yes. Motion carried.
Mr. Talton presented a request for approval of a bid on the Elberta Road Widening Phase 3
project.
Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Byrd, to approve the bid from C.W. Matthews Contracting
Company, of Marietta, Georgia, in the amount of $2,801,454.70 for the Elberta Road Widening
Phase 3 project. The City of Centerville is responsible for the water main and sewer relocations
or adjustments totaling $345,777.50, bringing the County’s portion to $2,455,677.20. This is a
2018 SPLOST project and will be completed in 17 months. Upon voting, Mr. Talton, Mr. Byrd,
and Ms. Robinson voted yes. Motion carried.
Mr. Byrd commented that the County’s bidding process attracted six companies, which saved
over $400,000.
Mr. Talton presented a request to fill the vacant Heavy Equipment Operator position in the
Roads and Bridges Department.
Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Ms. Robinson, to approve hiring Timothy Rogers to fill the
vacant Heavy Equipment Operator position in the Roads and Bridges Department at a Grade 13
Step E, effective July 22, 2026. Personnel has reviewed his qualifications and confirmed he
meets the criteria for the Step E placement. Upon voting, Mr. Talton, Ms. Robinson, and Mr.
Byrd voted yes. Motion carried.
Mr. Talton presented a request for approval of a bid on a vehicle for use by the Sheriff’s Office.

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Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Byrd, to approve the bid from Jeff Smith Ford of Byron,
Georgia, in the amount of $48,363.12 for one Ford F-150 4WD truck. This truck will replace a
2019 Dodge Ram with high mileage and needed maintenance at the Ed Dunbar Law
Enforcement Training Center. This purchase will be reimbursed by the Drug Fund. Upon voting,
Mr. Talton, Mr. Byrd, and Ms. Robinson voted yes. Motion carried.
Chairman Perdue expressed his appreciation to Sheriff Matt Moulton for using drug funds to
assist in the purchase of this vehicle.
Mr. Byrd presented a request for the write-off of bad debt in the Water Fund and Solid Waste
Fund for FY26.
Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Ms. Robinson, to approve the write-off of $27,615.64 of bad
debt in the Water Fund and $16,242.52 of bad debt in the Solid Waste Fund ($15,173.33 for
Collections and $1,069.19 for Disposal) for FY26. These amounts are less than 1% of all
revenues collected in these departments, and efforts will continue to collect this bad debt. Upon
voting, Mr. Byrd, Ms. Robinson, and Mr. Talton voted yes. Motion carried.
Chairman Perdue explained that this action is needed to help close out Fiscal Year 2026 and
that the County would continue working to collect these outstanding debts. He further
commented that this debt amount is less than last year’s amount.
Mr. Byrd presented a request to approve the FY27 Work Detail Agreement with the Georgia
Department of Corrections.
Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Mr. Talton, to approve signing a Work Detail Agreement with
the Georgia Department of Corrections for 5 work details at a cost not to exceed $284,811.45.
This agreement will be funded as follows: 2 crews from Solid Waste Collections; 2 crews from
the Water Department; and 1 crew from Solid Waste Disposal. Upon voting, Mr. Byrd, Mr.
Talton, and Ms. Robinson voted yes. Motion carried.
Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Ms. Robinson, to approve the payment of the bills totaling
$3,079,496.00. Upon voting, Mr. Byrd, Ms. Robinson, and Mr. Talton voted yes. Motion
carried.
Chairman Perdue opened the floor for Public Comments.
Mr. Tim Andrews spoke about George Felder, who was recognized earlier in the meeting for
his 30 years of service with the County, commenting on his work, efforts, and dedication. He
also noted that George is a veteran.
John Schwendler spoke about his concerns with rapid development, Flock cameras, data centers,
and early public meeting times. He concluded his comments by saying he was happy to live in
Houston County.
With no further comments, Chairman Perdue opened the floor for Commissioners’ comments.
Mr. Talton thanked everyone for attending the meeting and recognized Tom Hall on his 70th
birthday. He thanked him for being a strong man of faith, giving sound advice, and being
someone he can lean on for assistance. He concluded by recognizing George Felder for his many
years of dedicated service to the County.
Mr. Byrd commented on how the meeting began with Reverend Brown’s message of faith,
family, and service to the community. He recognized both Tom Hall and George Felder and
their families in attendance at the meeting. He concluded by commenting on the 18 employees
recognized earlier for their combined 340 years of service to the County and on Kellye Moore
being appointed by Governor Kemp as the new Superior Court Judge to replace Judge
Lukemire, who retired.
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Ms. Robinson recognized County Attorney Tom Hall for his many years of service to the County
and commented on the great advice he always gives and that she can always count on him. She
concluded her comments by recognizing George Felder for his 30 years of service and his family
being in attendance.
Chairman Perdue thanked everyone for being in attendance and commented that the well and
water treatment facility on SR 127 was almost ready to come online and is currently undergoing
pump tests. He expressed his appreciation to those living nearby for their patience, as these tests
temporarily cause water to fill the ditches. He stated that when this well comes online, it will
pump 2.5 million gallons of water daily. He stated that the tax digest came in last week and that
a full millage rate rollback appears possible in conjunction with the floating homestead
exemption. He further commented that, with the FLOST (Floating Local Option Sales Tax)
being included next year, an even larger rollback of the millage rate could be realized. Before
ending his comments, Chairman Perdue wished County Attorney Tom Hall a happy birthday.
Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Byrd, to approve adjourning the meeting. Upon voting,
Mr. Talton, Mr. Byrd, and Ms. Robinson voted yes. Meeting adjourned.
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Robbie Dunbar
Director of Administration

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Chairman
Not present for the meeting does
not sign
Commissioner
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Commissioner
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Commissioner
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Commissioner