[{"_1":2,"_109":-5,"_110":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,85,97],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6087772,"mediaKeyId","2888379-8d7686b78be00d4e4bf6d1821c613198","parentId",2888379,"title","Commissioners start process to remove two legs of long‑standing three‑way stop at Prentice Road","audioSeconds",749,"startMs",973000,"endMs",1722000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2888379-8d7686b78be00d4e4bf6d1821c613198&start=973&end=1722","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2888379-8d7686b78be00d4e4bf6d1821c613198/thumbnail_973000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6087772/Appling-County/Georgia/Commissioners-start-process-to-remove-two-legs-of-longstanding-threeway-stop-at-Prentice-Road","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6087772-0fcdd7667e7e68ac721465ce4faa138a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770604561&Signature=OXq4GHXYDCA~IozKQBoagtO0ErysuVXLN5DoMItM9AlbA-0KsGH58RSTMkOtCU9boeWjJa5AgrxbcdTTh5KFjfTxs95AwY1d1V8VxZ64dcRsf6SI8Dt~Tq-3hi0omlTrI6qGdlN~ztahkhnjSOnw0YwxVpK~~SAKLyLnb6Xa0OlMrInlNZyN7Vdr1VyNGi78~yD~N2Juf3wQzXW9J1t3Qn7xnicNSc-ElTPykUA-d1Sq50YOXEExv6oqGAyXuKmuN35vSaTlKSli5G7FIkSR9njHysgQbXxRMwaHPHgPUMOcuhw3X10Q0cFS6QsWuQNaSNpF5Vs-EWgymQyOtXOvpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-06T11:28:12.297Z","article","Appling County commissioners authorized staff to begin the process of removing two legs of a three‑way stop at the Prentice Road/Cleveland Lane intersection after hearing public concerns and a staff review citing traffic flow recommendations.

Why it matters: The intersection has contained a three‑way stop for decades. Commissioners and the road manager said the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and state DOT guidance generally disfavor three‑way stop installations where they impede traffic flow; residents living adjacent to the intersection urged preserving the stops for local safety.

Commissioner Barnes summarized the county's review and said Prentice Road is slated for restriping, making it a logical time to consider removing the two stop signs: \"Prentice Road is already on the list to be restripe. So if we're gonna do away with this three way stop, now would be the good time to do it because it's already about to be restripe,\" Barnes said.

Staff noted their packet included MUTCD guidance and crash data for the intersection; the criteria cited for installing a stop control typically include three crashes within a 12‑month period. A resident who lives on the road, identified on the record as Mr. Eddie during public comment, opposed removal and warned that drivers are accustomed to the existing signs: \"I feel like you're gonna wind up with a bad wreck right there in my yard ... folks got used to the stop signs,\" the resident said.

Commissioners weighed the conflicting input. Some favored tabling for further study; others said the DOT guidance and planned striping supported initiating removal. The board voted to begin the administrative process of removing two stop signs, with staff directed to advertise the change, post advance signage, and take actions to reduce liability and notify the public.

The motion carried on a voice vote recorded as \"all in favor.\" Commissioners emphasized the county would publicize the change and install warning signage in advance of any physical removal and said the road crew would remove RPMs and other hardware as part of the process.

Next steps: Road staff will prepare the required public notices and signage and return to the commission with documentation; no immediate physical removal will occur until the advertised notification and sign installation are complete.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025 0204 Video","oneSentenceSummary","After residents and staff debated safety and traffic flow, the board authorized staff to begin the process of removing two stop signs from a three‑way intersection on Prentice Road and to advertise the change; commissioners stressed the county will post notices and take liability‑mitigating steps.","taxTitle","Appling County, Georgia","taxId",28219,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":46,"_45":78,"_47":79,"_49":80,"_51":81,"_53":82,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":83,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":84,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6087777,"Appling County schedules public hearings on House Bill 581 property tax reassessment opt‑out option",497,2219000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2888379-8d7686b78be00d4e4bf6d1821c613198&start=1722&end=2219","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2888379-8d7686b78be00d4e4bf6d1821c613198/thumbnail_1722000.jpg","/articles/6087777/Appling-County/Georgia/Appling-County-schedules-public-hearings-on-House-Bill-581-property-tax-reassessment-optout-option","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6087777-d39d0e14731ef2e4162fbf8d88a0b0de/orig.mp4?Expires=1770604561&Signature=HzUfcyFz~Yn8A0BUNjxMjeanH2TtQ6Xs05EgK4ItJB9kjV70exXGF98C94Z4ZH1x8jJJpUGLPKrASrxPm0xmOV~59xBUtzro9HlozDq3P7b6-hPbOXkYeQ2uXVqNLdwSVaRlhtLci~83IlE1upSkOkktBu~c2tu6mMnLjyiZ0VGFjP57MrglqsPqgpMNbSeOkf3PjAyfH2DosYj14ptTeOXyPNdiim-cNseMQ5pbFWa~YBQ9ogNY5-x6q3hrnjBmtCs8ipg74l7vfNR2vrJOVFpFcHdJ2HZ6sQW9pCJ3Y6CVnpkrqlqtdHAdSXTWp~3W7l2X7jFWQWpQDZr8xcnRMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Appling County commissioners set public hearing dates and times to solicit community input on how the county should respond to House Bill 581, which includes a mandatory property reassessment schedule and an opt‑out pathway for certain provisions.

The board scheduled two hearings on Feb. 20 (one at 10 a.m. and one in the evening) and a second hearing on Feb. 26 in the evening. The county manager said the hearings satisfy the advertisement and public meeting requirements ahead of the March 1 deadline for an opt‑out decision.

Why it matters: House Bill 581 includes reassessment rules and a local opt‑out mechanism; the county must hold public hearings and then take a formal action (a resolution) to opt out if commissioners decide that is their preference.

County staff described the bill as requiring reassessment every three years and said the county cannot opt out of the reassessment requirement itself but can choose whether to opt into or out of related provisions. \"You cannot opt out from the reassessment that will have to take place ... but in order to even have a choice we have to ... hold 3 public hearings before the March 1 deadline,\" the county manager said.

Staff recommended scheduling the hearings to allow residents and the assessor's office to present information and public comment. Commissioners discussed times that would allow attendance; the final schedule approved on the record was Feb. 20 at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., and Feb. 26 at 5:30 p.m. (the board discussed minor adjustments to the evening times during the meeting and recorded the schedule as approved).

The county manager said the assessor is conducting field assessments this year and that reassessment work is expected to be completed by the end of the calendar year.

Next steps: The board approved placing the hearings on the schedule and directed staff to advertise the meetings and gather materials from the tax assessor and other neighboring jurisdictions to inform the discussion. After the hearings, the board will hold a separate meeting to decide whether to adopt a resolution to opt out or remain subject to the bill's default provisions.","Commissioners set public hearings for Feb. 20 (10 a.m. and evening) and Feb. 26 (evening) to gather input before deciding whether to opt out of parts of House Bill 581; the March 1 deadline for an opt‑out referendum was cited as the driver of the timeline.",{"_33":86,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":87,"_41":88,"_43":89,"_45":90,"_47":91,"_49":92,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6087782,"Appling County opts to finish storm debris removal using county crews and local contractors, declines contract extension",747,3367000,4114000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2888379-8d7686b78be00d4e4bf6d1821c613198&start=3367&end=4114","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2888379-8d7686b78be00d4e4bf6d1821c613198/thumbnail_3367000.jpg","/articles/6087782/Appling-County/Georgia/Appling-County-opts-to-finish-storm-debris-removal-using-county-crews-and-local-contractors-declines-contract-extension","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6087782-6e3baab6e430f35b4ef0076d8d4b0945/orig.mp4?Expires=1770604561&Signature=Gh4EyuzY878VoHikrclbil2FesIqS15EQSVnAlq3ecUkvLsFaYBn04C4UrztqlMZ~zGlepPvhHjyoQGNTi1wzLT56l41AgleH~HhJY0zgzJK-kkYUmHEoLDZfyC0gKcjBDaOCS8~p497rdRqSCk4Q6OxqX2F1UdjMBONynVONcGv40zQ~qXXYOGB-us0w6cO-Xm7NwEnjviChXvkHXna~BC2JB0VvX5D4k0WcLr9DLVqL6RRUleEaqCef49RXqGQjjViMncf6b5ThtOYg2XstWZR5AVu-ol8U7x6nSTqsGf9OYj-n6sgqSQKa-OqJJ81Njm1yP7k8Ycg2PK95hNs8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Appling County commissioners voted to end the outside debris contractor's extension and finish remaining storm debris removal using county crews and, where needed, locally hired contractors. County staff said the in‑house approach will be slower but keeps spending and jobs local and qualifies for FEMA reimbursement at the current rate.

Why it matters: The county estimates remaining debris volume and cost and said doing the work internally will allow closer control of where and how material is picked up and documented for federal reimbursement.

The county manager briefed the board on two options: extend the current contractor's contract for 30 days to finish pickup, or perform the remaining work using county crews and permitted burn sites, with daily forestry permits when required. \"We have prepared our own method to pick up and dispose of the debris ... our labor, our equipment, at the 75% reimbursement rate,\" the county manager said, noting FEMA's reimbursement rate had dropped from 100% to 75% after Feb. 3.

Members of the road department and the county's operations staff told the commission they have the equipment and could perform the work on a smaller scale, though doing so could slow routine maintenance. Road staff said crews would work road by road and document piles with photos and GPS coordinates to support reimbursement claims.

Several residents spoke during the discussion, asking how fresh, later‑placed debris would be handled; county staff said the program would document collections and the county could follow up with property owners when material appeared after an area had been cleared.

Commissioners voted on a motion to \"go local and finish the cleanup\" rather than extend the outside contractor's contract. The motion passed on a voice vote recorded as \"all in favor.\" County staff were directed to issue requests for proposals to local contractors to support the effort and to proceed under county management, documenting all work for FEMA reimbursement.

County officials said the latest estimate of spending to date on debris removal was about $16.5 million and that completing the job could push the total higher; they will update the board with refined totals as more data from field operations are compiled.","After discussing FEMA reimbursement and contractor assurances, commissioners voted to stop extending the current debris contract and direct county staff to finish debris pickup using county crews and local contractors at FEMA reimbursement rates.",{"_33":98,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":99,"_41":100,"_43":101,"_45":102,"_47":103,"_49":104,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6087787,"Commissioners approve draft $2.5 million advance to Applin Healthcare with 10‑year payback, profitability clause",1184,2229000,3413000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2888379-8d7686b78be00d4e4bf6d1821c613198&start=2229&end=3413","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2888379-8d7686b78be00d4e4bf6d1821c613198/thumbnail_2229000.jpg","/articles/6087787/Appling-County/Georgia/Commissioners-approve-draft-25-million-advance-to-Applin-Healthcare-with-10year-payback-profitability-clause","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6087787-0a7dbd4114ff7b252edf3e9d99e296cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770604561&Signature=BqmGcj5T2N~jUUwAohaF4anj2JIqByFh507-PspzDSeaYfi1w5Iq-RSM6~DcnbPSIF3FzG0HxfH6sVVLmkLyshFG5rJ6SjF7am0boLvbEOrds5UnRuSe8rfMM8faR4l1PilV-6AU0U0~deL9TGWt2TAiLuou4Fjkkw75PKlHCZfrJTMhlQcGrk16XkzqX10cipfP8RFY5lEM6Nh6AI~WT-UqmsCa88eP6RgISOMotMiCJHpr-jTNFUYnXBfMkvl2spmEHYCjO9Y~QkzyuVs0Yz4-0ECzZ8s78Y-GppOPcz9MhB7nOuZq8Vxs4WE4dAzaH9AAxv7QypwCCz6aMEHKZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Appling County commissioners voted to proceed with a draft intergovernmental agreement to advance $2.5 million to Applin Healthcare, with the county recouping the funds by reducing annual payments over a 10‑year period and a contractual clause allowing acceleration of repayment if the hospital meets specified profitability metrics.

The agreement presented to the board would provide a $1 million initial advance, followed by $500,000 quarterly advances, for a total of $2.5 million. Under the county's proposed structure the hospital would receive less of its normal annual allocation each year so the county could recover the advance over time.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the advance is intended to give the hospital capital to stabilize operations while it pursues longer‑term financial recovery. Hospital leaders told the board they have shown improved operating results in recent months but asked for \"breathing room\" to maintain that progress.

At the meeting, Matt Wilmot, attorney for Applin Healthcare, described the financing as \"an advance\" rather than a loan: \"You're advancing them money that you give them over a period of time ... you're just giving it to them upfront,\" Wilmot said. He recommended adding a provision allowing the county and hospital to shorten the repayment period if the hospital posts a sustained record of profitability.

Lee, the hospital's interim CEO, told commissioners that half of the county's existing $1 million annual allocation to the hospital is already committed to EMS under an agreement that dates to the late 1990s. \"The million dollars that we currently receive, 500,000 of that is a part of the EMS agreement,\" Lee said, noting that the EMS funding must continue even if the county adjusts other allocations.

Robin, who the hospital identified as its finance lead, gave an unaudited update showing the hospital's operating position improving. Robin said the hospital closed December with a small profit for the month and that fiscal 2024 ended with a smaller loss than earlier projected: \"When we were here last month we said ... we were projected to be a loss of $4,500,000. When we ended fiscal year 2024 ... we were at a loss of $2,800,000 ... we actually turned a profit for the month of December a little over $52,000,\" Robin said.

Commissioners discussed the term length. Wilmot said the hospital proposed a 10‑year schedule but that shorter terms (seven or eight years) had also been discussed. Wilmot recommended including an objective metric that would permit acceleration of repayment if the hospital achieved sustained profitability; as drafted at the meeting he and the county attorney suggested four consecutive profitable quarters as the trigger.

The board voted to proceed with the draft intergovernmental agreement as discussed: a $2.5 million advance repaid by reducing future annual allotments over 10 years, with an added clause allowing renegotiation or acceleration of repayment after a defined period of sustained profitability. The motion passed with \"all in favor\" recorded on the floor; the agreement must be finalized in writing and signed by both the county and the hospital authority before it becomes binding.

The county attorney and county manager were authorized to finalize contract language reflecting the 10‑year schedule and the profitability clause discussed at the meeting. Commissioners noted the arrangement would not alter the EMS allocation of $500,000 the county already provides under a separate agreement.

Looking ahead: The signed counterpart will return to the board as a final contract once the hospital authority executes its portion; county officials said the hospital authority planned to consider the counterpart at its next meeting.","Appling County commissioners agreed to advance $2.5 million to Applin Healthcare under a draft intergovernmental agreement that would be repaid by reducing the county's annual allocation over 10 years, with a clause to accelerate repayment if the hospital posts sustained profitability.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners start process to remove two legs of long‑standing three‑way stop at Prentice Road

Appling County schedules public hearings on House Bill 581 property tax reassessment opt‑out option

Appling County opts to finish storm debris removal using county crews and local contractors, declines contract extension

Commissioners approve draft $2.5 million advance to Applin Healthcare with 10‑year payback, profitability clause