Hart County Board of Commissioners
September 24th, 2002
7:00 p.m.
The Hart County Board of Commissioners met September 24th, 2002 at 7:00 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.
Chairman Dorsey called the meeting to order.
Chairman Dorsey welcomed those in attendance.
Commissioner Banister offered prayer.
Everyone stood in observance of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to amend and approve the meeting agenda as follows:
Add:
7a) Alan Johnson – Hartwell DDA
14h) Credit for prior experience – John Thomas Sheriff’s Department
15a) Al Olsen – Building permits
Executive Session – Pending Litigation
Remove
14d) Budget Amendment – School Resource Officer
14c) Remove Salary Plan Policy Statement and Voucher Policy
Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Approve Minutes of Previous Meeting(s)
9/9th, 9/10th, 9/12th 2002
Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to approve the minutes of the meetings held September 9th, September 10th and September 12th, 2002. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Alan Johnson, Chairman of the Downtown Development Authority, reported that Phase 1 of the Streetscape Project is scheduled to begin next week. He read a memo from Mary Alice Applegate concerning a budget deficit of approximately $67,690 as a result of a late cost estimate of $80,000 to relocate utility lines. Ms. Applegate outlined two options available in the matter as follows: Option 1 – An agreement to set aside the shortfall amount with a suggestion that the City and County contribute $33,845 each. Option 2 – Cut certain portions out of the budget eliminating landscape plant material and irrigation within the lawn area of the courthouse.
After discussing the matter, Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to fund 44% of the amount of the shortfall, if there is one, up to a maximum of county contributions of $30,000 from Economic Development funds contingent on the City of Hartwell contribute the remainder. Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion.
Commissioner Banister encouraged the DDA to stay within the proposed budget and to utilize the contingency funds.
County resident Paul Martin spoke in favor of beautifying the City of Hartwell.
Chairman Dorsey called for a vote. The vote failed with two in favor (Commissioners Burdick and Oglesby) three opposed (Chairman Dorsey, Commissioners Banister and Brown).
Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to fund $15,000 of the amount of the shortfall; from Economic Development funds contingent on the City of Hartwell contribute the remainder. Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion.
County Administrator Gary Cobb recommended taking $68,000 from the City’s portion of the 1% SPLOST II funds.
Chairman Dorsey called for a vote. The motion carried with two opposed (Chairman Dorsey and Commissioner Banister).
County Administrator’s Report
County Administrator Gary Cobb reported the ad for accepting bids for the Behavioral Health Center is to be placed in the Hartwell Sun and the bids will be opened October 22nd, 2002. He said plans for the facility would be available for public inspection in the Administrative office.
Chairman’s Report
Chairman Dorsey reported the following:
· Opening day Youth Football at the Recreation Park set for September 28th, 2002
· Reported that he had investigated several problems with property assessments. For example metal carports that cost approximately $500 and do not require a building permit were assessed at $1,500 to $1,600. He added that the burden of proof rests with the Tax Assessor’s office, not with the taxpayer.
None
None
a. Board/Authority Appointments
Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to remove the item from the table for discussion. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to appoint Commissioner Banister to the Georgia Mountains RDC Board. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
b. Renaming Gaines Court
Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to remove the item from the table for discussion. Chairman Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Paul Martin requested the portion of Gaines Court that is county maintained to be renamed Green Meadows and the spur to remain Gaines Court.
Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to rename the county maintained portion of Gaines Court to Green Meadows Drive and the spur to remain Gaines Court. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
c. Renumbering Roper Road
Commissioner Brown entered a motion to remove the item from the table for discussion. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
County Administrator Gary Cobb reported that the county has not received any input from residents on Roper Road opposing renumbering the road.
Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to renumber Roper Road. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
New Business
a. Adoption of FY03 General Fund Budget
County Administrator Gary Cobb presented the proposed Fiscal Year 2003 General Fund Budget.
Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to adopt the General Fund Budget of $7,372,028. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
b. Adoption of FY03 Special Fund Budgets
County Administrator Gary Cobb presented the proposed Fiscal Year 2003 Special Fund Budgets as follows:
· Drug Abuse Treatment & Education
· Education Fund
· Insurance Premium Tax
· 10% Surcharge Jail Fund
· E911
· DFACS Facility
· Victim Assistance
· CDBG Behavioral Health Center
· Gateway Business Park
· SPLOST I
· SPLOST II
· Solid Waste Disposal/Tipping Fee
Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to adopt the Special Fund Budgets of total revenues $6,567,959 expenditures $8,010,468. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
c. Adoption of FY03 Salary Plan, Salary Plan Policy Statement, Grade Classification Plan and Voucher Policy
Salary Plan Policy Statement and Voucher Policy removed from the agenda.
Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to adopt the FY03 Salary Plan. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to adopt the FY03 Grade Classification Plan. Commissioner Oglesby provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
d. Budget Amendment - School Resource Officer
Item was removed from the agenda.
e. Beer & Wine Application - Pac A Sac
Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to approve the beer & wine application for Pac A Sac. Commissioner Oglesby provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
f. FY02 General Fund Budget Amendment-Ambulance Purchase
Commissioner Banister entered a motion to adopt the General Fund Budget Amendment to add $84,306 to revenue item number 39.3500 and expenditure 36000-54.2200 $84,306. Commissioner Oglesby provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
g. FY'02 General Fund Budget Amendment - Voter Education Grant
Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to adopt the General Fund Budget Amendment to add $4,000 to revenue item number 33.4117 for Voter Education Grant and expenditure 14000-52.3850 $4,000. Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
h. Credit for prior experience - John Thomas Sheriff's Dept.
Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to credit John Thomas with six years of job related experience retroactive to date of hire. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Public Comment
a. Al Olsen - Building Permits
Mr. Olsen remarked that under state law, building permit and erosion control permits fees can be levied by local governments if they provide a service that benefits public health and welfare. He added that to impose a fee without providing a service is an actual violation of Georgia law.
Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to direct the County Attorney to review the law pertaining to building and erosion control permit fees. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Executive Session
a. Litigation matters
Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to exit into Executive Session to discuss litigation matters as required by O.C.G.A. 50-14-2, 50-14-3 and 50-14-4(b). Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0. The resolution and affidavit is recorded in the minutes book.
Chairman Dorsey called the session to order. All commissioners were present. Also present were Gary Cobb and Walter Gordon.
County Attorney Gordon briefed the Board on several pending and potential litigation matters.
With no further action taken during Executive session, motion by Commissioner Oglesby, 2nd by Commissioner Brown to exit the Executive Session and adjourn the regular BOC meeting. Vote 5-0.
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Joey Dorsey, Chairman Lawana Kahn, County Clerk