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Charlton County Board of Commissioners
Regular Meeting Minutes
Commissioners Conference Room
68 Kingsland Drive, Suite B
Folkston, GA 31537
Thursday, January 8, 2026
6:00 PM
1/8/2026 - Minutes
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM.
Present was Commissioner Jesse Crews, Chairwoman Alphya Benefield, Vice Chairman Luke Gowen,
Commissioner Drew Jones, Commissioner James Everett, County Attorney Remington East, Interim
County Administrator Rebecca Harden, and County Clerk Madeline Nettles.
All guests are recorded hereafter.
Invocation and Pledge to the Flag
The invocation was led by Chairwoman Benefield.
Adoption of the Agenda
Commissioner Crews made a motion to Adopt the Agenda as Presented. Commissioner Everett
seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Annual Appointments and Adoptions
1. Motion to Appoint the 2026 Board of Commissioners Chairman
Vice Chairman Gowen made a motion to Appoint Alphya Benefield as Chairwoman. Commissioner
Crews seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
2. Motion to Appoint the 2026 Board of Commissioners Vice Chairman
Commissioner Crews made a motion to Appoint Luke Gowen as Vice Chairman. Commissioner
Everett seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
3. Motion to Appoint Madeline Nettles the 2026-2027 County Clerk
Vice Chairman Gowen made a motion to Appoint Madeline Nettles as County Clerk. Commissioner
Everett seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
4. Confirm Appointment of Remington East of Joe East Law as County Attorney
Commissioner Jones made a motion to Confirm Appointment of Remington East of Joe East Law
as County Attorney. Vice Chairman Gowen seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Interim County Administrator Harden clarified that services of Remington East, Joe East, and the
entire firm are included in the appointment of Mr. East.
5. Motion to Approve the 2026 Board of Commissioners Meeting Calendar
Commissioner Everett made a motion to Approve Board of Commissioners Meeting Calendar as
Presented. Vice Chairman Gowen seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

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Adoption of Minutes
6. Motion to adopt the December 18th, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes
Vice Chairman Gowen made a motion to Adopt the Minutes as Presented. Commissioner Crews
seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Presentations
7. Hear Presentations from 4-H Students attending District Project Achievement in February
Brittney Whitehead, the Charlton County 4-H agent, was present.
Mrs. Whitehead explained to the Board of Commissioners what Project Achievement is and how the
students prepare for it. Project Achievement takes place at Rock Eagle in February, where students
will compete alongside 560 other youth from across the state.
M rs. Whitehead introduced the student presentation for the evening, Jazmine Newvine.
A. Presentation from Jazmine Newvine, 11th Grade 4-H Representative from Charlton County
High School, on "How Technology Affects Children"
Jazmine Newvine, of Folktson, Georgia, was present.
Ms. Newvine is an 11th grader at Charlton County High School.
Ms. Newvine presented on How Technology Affects Children and Older People.
Chairwoman Benefield asked Ms. Newvine several question, including if Ms. Newvine's interest in
the topic was because she saw effects on herself. Ms. Newvine stated that this was a major
reason.
Chairwoman Benefield asked if there was any ideas Ms. Newvine had on how to help others put
down their phone or if she had any interest in finding solutions. Ms. Newvine said one of her goals
is to help others. This is her second year doing public speaking on her topic, but she does not have
any ideas on how to help others with this issue at this time. Chairwoman Benefield encouraged Ms.
Newvine to continue on the path and complimented her on her presentation.
The Board expressed their compliments of the presentation to Ms. Newvine.
Vice Chairman Gowen thanked Ms. Newvine for sharing the topic with them and again
complimented her on her presentation.
Public Hearings
Petitions
Purchasing Items
Grants and SPLOST Project
Agreements
Ordinances
Resolutions
Miscellaneous

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8. Motion to Approve the 2026 Qualifying Fees
Interim County Administration Harden said all the fees are the same. The Board of Elections is
required to get the qualifying fees approved and advertise them by February.
Commissioner Jones asked if the fees are supposed to reflect a portion of the positions' pay.
Interim County Administrator Harden confirmed that it is 3% of the positions' pay.
Vice Chairman Gowen made a motion to Approve the Qualifying Fees. Commissioner Everett
seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
9. Receive November 2025 Monthly Progress Report
N o discussion was had.
County Attorney's Action Items
10. Motion to Enter Executive Session to Discuss Personnel
Vice Chairman Gowen recently spoke to Brenda Hodges. In July, they are going to implement
handwritten ballots again. The Board of Elections has asked that the Board reach out to legislators
and ask that we keep ballots the same.
Commissioner Crews recommended hearing public comments first before entering executive
session. The board agreed. Comments were heard prior to executive session.
Commissioner Jones made a motion to Enter Executive Session to Discuss Personnel.
Commissioner Crews seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
The Board entered executive session at 6:36 PM.
The Board exited executive session at 6:58 PM.
N o action was taken.
County Administrator Comments
At 6 :20 PM, prior to executive session, Interim County Administrator Harden updated the board on dump
truck incident. The driver was not seriously injured and is recovering well. ACCG is aware of incident and
is sending an adjuster to determine if the dump truck can be repaired.
Public Comments
Public Comments are limited to 3 minutes.
The floor for public comments opened at 6:21 PM, prior to executive session.
Deborah Milton of Jackqueline Lane, Folkston, Georgia was present.
Mrs. Milton was here today to talk about dirt road. Mrs. Milton said 15 or more years ago, the
neighborhood had signed off on a ditch being put in, so another street could be paved. Ever since the
ditch was put in, Mrs. Milton has had issues with the road. Mrs. Milton said she needs help and needs the
road fixed. Every time it rains, the road washes out and the neighbors have to travel through people's
yards to get passed it. Mrs. Milton said that she feels that the claims that the road is private is just an
excuse to not have to maintain the road.
Dia Harris of Jackqueline Lane, Folkston, Georgia was present..
Mrs. Harris is also here to address the road issue. Mrs. Harris stated that they did not have the problem

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with the road before they put the ditch on Mitchell Road. Mrs. Mitchell stated that "they" came door to
door to convince them to give up the property in order to put the ditch in. The community was under the
impression that "he" would maintain the ditch and the road. Another lady's property gets flooded when the
ditch is full. Mr. Stager, previous mayor, was the one who was supposed to be maintaining the road,
according to Mrs. Harris.
Jennifer Milton of Jackqueline Lane, Folkston, Georgia was present.
Mrs. Milton has the same problem with the road. Mrs. Milton expressed her personal issues with the ditch
and the road.
Commissioner Crews asked Ronnie Pollock, Director of Infrastructure and Development, if Jackqueline
Lane was a private road. Director Pollock confirmed it was a private road. When the county asked for the
drainage ditch, they agreed to maintain the road as needed. Director Pollock stated that they have been
grading the road. The county never took control of the road. The county has a maintenance agreement
for the ditch.
Deborah Milton stated that where the ditch was put, their deeds indicated that it was where the road was
supposed to be.
Commissioner Jones asked what the problem with the road is. Director Pollock stated that water is
running from their yards into the road. Citizens stated that the issues stem from Mitchel Street and did not
happen before the ditch was put in.
Chairwoman Benefield ended the discussion.
Chairwoman Benefield thanked Mrs. Deborah Milton for teaching her something tonight.
Chairwoman Benefield informed Mr. East that there was some information from when Mr. Al Crace was
the administrator and John Adams was the attorney. The county would need to go back into the records
to see what was done. Chairwoman Benefield recalls that a meeting was held but there was no one in
attendance other than the county, so the county could not move forward with signing the necessary
paperwork for the county to be able to maintain the road.
Chairwoman Benefield asked Mr. East to go through the records and provide guidance on how to move
forward.
Mrs. Deborah Milton alleged that they dug the ditch through Jennifer Milton's backyard illegally as well.
Commissioners' Comments
At 6:58 PM, after executive session, Commissioner Crews mentioned that the Board needs to discuss
auditorium. Commissioner Jones agreed.
Interim County Administrator Harden said the auditorium needs a new heat and AC unit, since the big
units were the problem. The Board needs to think on how extensive they want to repair the sound and
lights, as the project could become costly.
Commissioner Everett stated that the sign on Glenn Gibson Memorial bridge had been taken down.
Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on January 22nd, 2026, in the Board of Commissioners meeting room.
Adjourn
Commissioner Crews made a motion to Adjourn. Commissioner Everett seconded the motion. The
motion passed unanimously.

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The meeting adjourned at 7:01 PM.
Alphya Benefield, Chairman
Madeline Nettles, County Clerk

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QUALIFYING FEE FOR CHARLTON COUNTY OFFICES FOR 2026
STATE LAW PERTAINING TO QUALIFYING FEES, O.C.G.A. SECTION 21-2-131, REQUIRES EACH
COUNTY GOVERNING AUTHORITY TO FIX AND PUBLISH QUALIFYING FEES FOR COUNTY
OFFICES NOT LATER THAN FEBRUARY 1 OF ANY YEAR IN WHICH A GENERAL PRIMARY,
NONPARTISAN ELECTION, OR GENERAL ELECTION IS TO BE HELD.
County Commissioner $180.00
School Board – Dist 1 $109.20
School Board – Dist 3 $110.40
School Board – Dist 5 $110.40
Solicitor General $1,050.00
QUALIFYING DATES FOR CHARLTON COUNTY CANDIDATES
POLITICAL PARTY CANDIDATE QUALIFYING BEGINS MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2026 AT 9:00 A.M.
POLITICAL PARTY CANDIDATE QUALIFYING ENDS FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2026 AT 12:00 NOON