Commissioners Name Collins Chairman

By JACK BAGLEY
At their first meeting of 2026, the Meriwether County Commission elected Emmett Collins as Chairman for the upcoming year. Collins had served as vice-chairman in 2025.
Commissioner Jennifer Snelson was named Vice-Chair for 2026.
Also appointed by the Commissioners were John Gorton as County Administrator; Allyson Stephens as County Clerk; Hailee Parmer as Deputy County Clerk; and the law firm of Glover and Davis as County Attorney.
The Commissioners discussed the 2026 LMIG road projects, with Commissioner Adam Worsley suggesting contracting out the three larges projects on the county’s list and doing the remainder of the projects on the list in-house, based on discussed finances. Snelson asked what time frame the county would be looking at with contracting, and was told that they would basically be at the contractor’s mercy as far as scheduling. Commissioner Bryan Threadgill said he would like to see the smaller projects done in-house first.
In the end, the Commissioners approved King Road, Coven Creek Road and two miles of Alvaton Road for requesting 2026 LMIG funding.
In addition, the Commission approved amending the 2025 LMIG project for Wrightsville Road with an additional $13,000, as the updated cost amount came in in excess of the $100,000 previously approved. The Board also authorized using the remaining TSPLOST widening funds of $66,656.10 to the E-911 parking lot, with any money not used for that project returning to the fund.
In other business, the Meriwether County Commission:
• Appointed Jennifer Snelson as ACCCG Legislative Coordinator;
• Reappointed Dora Terry to the District 2 seat on the Lake Meriwether Advisory Board;
• Reappointed Robin Wilkinson to the District 4 seat on the Lake Meriwether Advisory Board;
• Reappointed Emmett Collins to the Commissioner’s seat on the Lake Meriwether Advisory Board;
• Reappointed Vivian Smithson to the Zoning Board of Appeals;
• Adopted an updated Chapter 4 of the county code with amendments to the Alcoholic Beverages section;
• Approved a telecommunications services agreement with AT&T for E-911;
• Approved updating the subscription levels with qPublic to receive updates on a monthly basis at no additional cost;
• Approved purchase of signage regarding the presence of cameras at Lake Meriwether and at the Red Oak Covered Bridge, at a cost of $35.99 each for four signs; and
• Heard an update on work on the County Courthouse, approving a recommended change from the original TPO roofing to a standard seam metal roof to better protect the historical structure, extend the useful life of the roof, and reduce long-term maintenance costs. This will result in cost savings and improved warranty coverage.
The next regular meeting of the Meriwether County Commission will be Tuesday, January 27, at 6 p.m.