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About The Oglethorpe echo. (Crawford, Ga.) 1874-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 9, 2025)
Page 6 THE OGLETHORPE Echo Thursday, October 9, 2025 Health, From Page 1 or any other service.” The foundations of the health hub began two years ago, when the school system received a $999,000 grant. Space for the center be came available after the new OCES opened in January. The health hub is housed in the for mer elementary school. Elevate Con- struction handled the renovarions. Certified nurse practitioner Audra Turbeville, an Oglethorpe County res ident, provides primary care services. “The main thing is this is another tool and opportunity for parents and students. We’re always looking to add benefits,” Levine said. “We know we provide an excellent education, and this was an opportunity for us to pro vide another opportunity for parents to get convenient, first-class health service in a great location.” ANDY JOHNSTON/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO Oglethorpe County commissioners (from left) Andy Saxon, David Clark, Howard Sanders, Will Brown and Tracy Norman listen to resi dents during the public portion of the BOC meeting on Monday. The meeting lasted 25 minutes. Zoning, From Page 1 District 2 Commissioner Andy Saxon commended Sharp for his work on the changes. “I think what we have in place right there will be good for the ex isting poultry farmers that we have,” Saxon said. “And a fair op portunity for the ones who want to become poultry farmers in our county.” In other business, commissioners unsealed two lease bids for approx imately 60 acres of county-owned property behind the Sheriff’s Office on Buddy Faust Road. The board unanimously voted to approve the lease to Lexington resi dent Sam Nash for $85 per acre an nually. The second bid came from Buf falo Creek Straw & Feed, a Ste phens-based business, which of fered $1,560 for all 60 acres over a three-year period. The board also heard the chair man’s report and an update on the resurfacing of Crawford-Smithonia MedLink, which spearheads the health center, is a nonprofit com munity health center, with locations across the state. MedLink offers other commu nity resources, such as communi ty wellness events and education. It has partnered with the Oglethor pe County Library to provide story times for children about visiting the doctor, and has also partnered with food drives. “Healthy students are better learners, and we are thrilled to part ner with the Oglethorpe County School District to make care avail able where it is needed most,” MedLink Georgia CEO Dave Ward said in a press release. “This is an investment in the future of Ogletho- rpe County, and we are grateful to be part of it.” Road. The reclamation phase of the project has been completed and the asphalt started Tuesday. “I think a lot of people stayed off the road. I think it’s helped. Traf fic’s definitely been down,” Dis trict 5 Commissioner Tracy Norman said. “But I know everybody’s go ing to be real happy when that road gets back open.” In other business, the BOC: Unanimously approved a request for support and financial obliga tion from the Georgia Department of Transportation for $75,000 to re place the bridge on Wolfskin Road over Big Creek through the Local Bridge Replacement Program. Unanimously approved and sub mitted a temporary use application submitted by Douglas H. Griffin for the Field of Worship event, sched uled for 4-10 p.m. Oct. 10-12 at 1085 Crawford-Smithonia Road. Monday, SENIOR CITIZENS DAY: 0700 OCTOBER 16 www.ElbertonFair. Visit www.l tplete schedule THE VOICE OF THE ELBERTON 12-COUNTY FAIR Michael Jackson Tribute Show MLNEW [GOATISLAND NIGHTLY ENTERTAINMENT $2 TUESDAY '.i” $2 Parking, $2 Admission $2 Rides AT THE FAIR! Parking, $1 Admission $1 Rides ROGO DAYS: Oct. 16 & 23 (KIDS DAYS: Oct. 18 & 25 • Ride wristbands $20 bikes to be given away BOTH DAYS! Preliminaries: Thurs., Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. Semifinals: Wed., Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. • Finals: Sat., Oct. OGLETHORPE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PROPOSED 2026 GENERAL FUND BUDGET COURTS Clerk of Superior Court $343,176 Magistrate Court $267,370 Probate Court $283,000 Judicial Circuit Officials $285,700 PUBLIC SAFETY Sheriffs Office $2,135,617 Jail $1,503,622 Emergency Medical Service $1,514,234 E-911 Communications $622,116 Volunteer Fire Service $367,777 Emergency Management $33,890 Coroner $33,290 ADMINISTRATION Commissioner’s Office $758,486 Tax Commissioner $413,498 Board of Assessors $300,824 Board of Elections $246,348 Board of Equalization $5,500 Planning & Compliance $330,247 PUBLIC WORKS $715,404 PROGRAMS Parks & Recreation $267,017 Senior Services $350,489 University System of Georgia - Library $119,991 University System of Georgia - Extension $65,460 Georgia Department of Public Health $94,000 Animal Shelter Services $58,855 TOTAL EXPENSES $11,115,910 REVENUE SOURCE 2026 Proposed Property Tax $3,943,027 Insurance Premium Tax $1,150,374 Local Option Sales Tax $1,223,136 Title Ad-Valorem Tax $1,055,000 Hospital Transport Fee $600,000 ACC Landfill Host Fee $535,761 Tax Commissioner $470,000 Probate Court $450,000 Clerk of Superior Court $260,000 Board of Commissioners $281,362 CONFUSED ABOUT MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT? ATHENS COMMUNITY COUNCIL ON AGING'S STATE HEALTH INSURANCE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM CAN HELP YOU NAVIGATE YOUR BENEFITS, APPLY FOR COST SAVING PROGAMS, AND MORE. FREE, UNBIASED, AND LOCAL MEDICARE Assistance. CALL 706-549-4850 SHIP State Health Insurance Assistance Program ACCA ATHENS COMMUNITY COUNCIL ON AGING Age Well. Live Well. This project is supported by a grant from the U.S. Administration for Community Living.
