Hart County Board of Commissioners

October 8th, 2002

5:30 p.m.

 

The Hart County Board of Commissioners met October 8th, 2002 at 5:30 p.m. in the Hart County Administrative & Emergency Services Center.

 

Chairman Joey Dorsey presided with Commissioners R. C. Oglesby, Don Burdick, Ken Brown and Randy Banister in attendance.

 

Call to Order  

 

Chairman Dorsey called the meeting to order.

 

Welcome 

 

Chairman Dorsey welcomed those in attendance.

 

Prayer  

 

Commissioner Oglesby opened with prayer. 

 

Pledge of Allegiance  

 

Everyone stood in observance of the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Approve Agenda 

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to amend and approve the meeting agenda as follows:

            Item 6  Minutes of 9/23/02 Work Session, Called Meeting 9/24/02

            Old Business:

                        Vanna Road

            New Business:

Remove item 14a) 5 year SPLOST II Capital Improvement Program

           

 

Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to approve the agenda as amended.  The motion carried 5-0.

 

Approve Minutes of Previous Meeting(s) 

            09/23rd, 09/24th called meeting, 09/24th 2002

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to approve the minutes of the meetings held September 23rd, September 24th, called meeting and September 24th, 2002 regular meeting. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

Remarks by Invited Guests, Committees, Authorities, Etc.

 

None

 

Reports By Constitutional Officers & Department Heads

 

County Attorney Walter Gordon did not have anything to report.

 

County Administrator's Report

 

County Administrator Gary Cobb did not have anything to report.

 

Chairman's Report  

 

Chairman Dorsey reported that the City of Hartwell officials were encouraged March 19th, 2002 to submit a list before May 29th for 1% SPLOST II funding projects. However, the list was not submitted until June 10th, 2002. He added that the list included water projects along Howell and Franklin Streets, which were seven and eight in priority, respectively. He stated that the City requested $303,600 for the Athens Street project. He also stated that the county could not disperse funds until they are collected.

 

Commissioners' Reports

 

Commissioner Burdick reported that he has received numerous telephone calls concerning errors and inconsistency on the tax assessment.

 

Chairman Dorsey reported that the tax appeal process would begin in November.

 

Commissioner Brown requested information from the Public Works Director concerning the bridge on Carnes Cemetery Road. Public Works Director Jon Caime reported that it would cost approximately $5,000 to put new culvert in and he is trying to acquire the right-of-way. He added that the road should be open in November.

 

Old Business 

 

a.                  Board/Authority Appointments

 

No action was taken.

 

b.                  Vanna Road

 

Public Works Director Caime reported that after reviewing the results of a similar projects in another county, he has no problem with the E. J. Breneman Pavement Reconstruction Inc. and recommended the proceed with the Vanna Road project. He said the contract has a one-year warranty on the work performed.

 

Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to proceed with Vanna Road reconstruction. Chairman Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

New Business

 

·        LOST discussion

 

Chairman Dorsey announced that the City of Hartwell rejected the county's offer of 22% of the 1% LOST funds. He said the City made a counter offer of 22.25% to settle the LOST dispute.

 

After discussing the matter, Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to proceed with non-binding arbitration. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion.

 

Chairman Dorsey expressed his concerns of the impact to the taxpayers to proceed with non-binding arbitration.

 

Commissioner Burdick remarked that the City's position was 23%, which allowed the city residents a break of $169. However, the county residents would receive a break of $64. He added that they need to arrive at an equitable decision.

 

Commissioner Banister remarked that the LOST dispute has renewed his effort to be prudent.

 

County Attorney Gordon reported that the cost for an arbitrator would be between $1,000-$2,000.

 

Jack Quinn remarked that the City of Hartwell has not raised taxes in ten years and if they could not agree to settle the dispute to let the tax go down the tube and let the voters decide on another 1%.

 

Tom Hardigree stated that the county has been reasonable and the city has bowed up and would not settle for anything less. He added that he didn’t think it could hurt to get an expert opinion.

 

Dan Reyen stated that the city had no basis to justify their request of 23% and pursuing arbitration is a "no brainier".

 

Chairman Dorsey called for the vote. The vote carried 3-2. Chairman Dorsey and Commissioner Oglesby opposed.

 

a.                  5-year SPLOST II Capital Improvement Plan removed from the agenda. 

 

b.                  5-year SPLOST I Capital Improvement Plan 

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to adopt the 5-year SPLOST I Capital Improvement Plan. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

c.                  FY'03 Budget Amendment-Public Defender

 

Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to adopt the budget amendment to transfer $12,493 from the Public Defender's budget to the Contingency fund. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

The resolution is recorded in the minutes book.

 

            d.         Change Order #3-Recreation Center Grading  

 

Commissioner Banister entered a motion to accept Change Order #3 to allow for a ten-day extension. Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

e.         Request for Retainage Reduction-Recreation Center Grading Contract

 

Public Works Director Caime reported that the contractor has completed 3/4 of the grading project and has requested a retainage reduction of 5%.

 

Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to accept the retainage reduction request. Commissioner Oglesby provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

            f.          Amendment to Literacy Center Fee Schedule  

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to reduce the weekly rental fee to $500. Chairman Dorsey provided a second to the motion.

 

Commissioner Burdick stated that the fee schedule has been recently set and adjustments may have to be considered later.

 

Chairman Dorsey called for the vote. The vote carried 4-1 Commissioner Burdick opposed.

 

g.                  North Star Subdivision 

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to approve the subdivision request. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

Public Comment  

 

None

 

Executive Session 

 

None

 

Adjournment

 

Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

 

 

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Joey Dorsey, Chairman                               Lawana Kahn, County Clerk