by Janice Daniel
The Carroll County Board of Commissioners met for their Regular Meeting on Tuesday, July 8th, 2025 at 6:00 p.m., at the Historic Court House, 323 Newnan Street, Carrollton, with all present, District 1 Commissioner Montrell McClendon and District 6 Commissioner Danny Bailey both by phone. The Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation were led by District 2 Commissioner, Clint Chance.
The new Fire Chief, Dave Wade, was sworn in by Chairman Michelle Morgan, who spoke about the importance of firefighters in so many areas of public safety, and the education and knowledge required by Fire Chiefs. Morgan also prayed over the new Fire Chief and all the Carroll County firefighters, for their safety and service.
There was a proclamation honoring the Bowdon 10U Rollins Baseball Team, winners of the 2025 Dizzy Dean State Championship. Under the leadership of Head Coach Megan Rollins, Assistant Head Coach Jason Ethridge, Assistant Coach Zakk Vann, and Assistant Coach Chris Brown, this exceptional group of young athleteres exemplified teamwork, resilience, and a competitive spirit. A certificate was given to each of the coaches as well as the players: Jaxson Brown, Colt Duncan, Whit Ethridge, Zaxton Fitzgerald, Brantley Geter, Houston Mitchell, Sawyer Prather, Caysen Rollins and Waylon Vann, along with congratulations from everyone on the Board of Commissioners.
In Public Comment, Rodney Brown spoke about the conditions of the county nursing homes, especially those for the poor and needy, Pine Knoll, Carrollton Manor, and Carrollton Nursing & Rehab, stating that his father’s experience at the Rehab center eventually led to his death. Mr. Brown had one day of rehab and five days later was found by a family member, drowning in his own fluids. Brown stated that Carroll County was supposed to be a village of people that loved and cared for one another, but instead was allowing its senior citizens to be abused and neglected at nursing homes with low ratings by U.S. Health News. He did not have time to say all he wanted to say, but was invited by Chairman Morgan to email his other comments as well as comments by another person with a similar experience to her and she would make sure it was sent to all the commissioners and others who need to know.
Community Director Ben Skipper brought before the Board a rezoning request for 224 Whooping Creek Road, Z-25-06-01, a ½ acre parcel zoned R1 which the applicant (Sara Popphan) wished to have rezoned to commercial. Casey Vance of 210 Sunset Blvd. said he wishes to buy the property to expand his landscape business adjacent to the parcel, which he thinks was zoned residential years ago and never corrected. No one spoke against the request, but Commissioner Steve Fuller (District 4) reminded Mr. Vance to be careful about making sure lighting from his business complied with the county’s nuisance ordinance, and Commissioner Chance reminded him to be aware of limitations should he desire to make future changes. The rezoning was approved 7-0.
The Consent Agenda from the June 26th, 2025 Work Session was also approved 7-0.
Thad Ferguson, Recreation Department Director, was at the meeting to request capital projects funds for inspection and repairs to the cement light poles on the recreation field at a cost not to exceed $35,000, and to be performed by Stress,Crete, Inc. This request was approved unanimously by the Board.
Ferguson also requested $21,150 from capital improvement funds to be used to replace the roofs on two concession stands built in the late l990s and the roofs are very much deteriorated. He recommended RE Contracting, LLC to do the work with a10-year workmanship warranty and a 50-year GAF System Plus limited warranty. This item was approved 7-0.
Chairman Morgan made an appointment of Sandra Huey to the position of County Clerk, which was approved by the Board unanimously.
The meeting was then adjourned.