Hart County Board of Commissioners

November 9th, 1999

5:30 p.m.

 

The Hart County Board of Commissioners met November 9th, 1999 at 5:30 p.m. in the Hart County Administrative & Emergency Services Center.

 

Chairman Joel Moore presided with Commissioners Ken Brown, Don Burdick, Harry Hannah and R. C. Oglesby in attendance.

 

Call to Order, Welcome, Moment of Silence

 

Chairman Moore called the meeting to order, welcomed those in attendance and offered a moment of silence.

 

Approve Agenda

 

Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to amend the meeting agenda to add item J. Budget amendment resolution and item K. Public Defender employment contract. Commissioner Hannah provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

 

Approve Minutes of Previous Meeting(s)

            10/25, 10/26/99

 

Commissioner Brown entered a motion to approve the minutes of the meetings held October 25th, and October 26th, 1999. Commissioner Hannah provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

 

Remarks by Invited Guests, Committees, Authorities, Etc.

None

 

Reports By Constitutional Officers & Department Heads

 

County Attorney Walter Gordon reported the final delinquent tax sale of the century was held November 2, 1999. He said all the parcals sold and the Tax Commissioners’ office has collected nearly one million dollars in the recent tax sales. He also stated there would probably be a four to five month span before the next tax sale.

 

Attorney Gordon announced the Tripartite Committee recommends appointing Todd Martin as the Northern Judicial Circuit Public Defender to fill the vacancy of Bill Daughtery.

 

County Administrator's Report

 

County Administrator Gary Cobb presented the county holiday schedule and announced the December 27th and 28th meetings have been cancelled due to the holidays.

 

Chairman's Report

 

Chairman Moore announced a Veteran’s Day program at the Hart County High School is scheduled November 11th, 1999 at 10:00 a.m. and there will also be a program on the Courthouse square lawn November 12th, 1999 at 11:00 a.m.

 

Chairman Moore also announced the county would host a reception for Senator Eddie Madden December 14th, 1999 at 4:30 p.m. in the Administrative Center.

 

Consent Agenda

None

 

Old Business

None

 

New Business

 

a.                  Emily Harbin/Bond resolution Board of Education

 

Attorney Dan Murphy, representing the Board of Education, stated the purpose of the General Obligation Bond resolution is to fund acquisition, construction, furnishing and equipping two new elementary schools, and renovations of existing schools. He said it is only to the extent sales and use tax revenues are insufficient to provide funding for the projects.

 

Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to adopt the Hart County Board of Education Bond Resolution. Commissioner Hannah provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The resolution is recorded in the “1999-2000” minutes book.

 

b.                  FY’00 millage rate/resolution

 

Commissioner Brown entered a motion to adopt the FY’00 millage rate/resolution. Commissioner Hannah provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The resolution is recorded in the “1999-2000” minutes book.

 

Commissioner Burdick pointed out the county and the school system millage rates decreased from the previous year.

 

c.                  Pre-bills/vehicle license

 

County Administrator Gary Cobb explained pre-bills for vehicle/trailer tags will be mailed out one month in advance from the due date. He stated a fee of $1.00 would be added to each bill for handling of the decal mailing. He also explained a fee of $2.00 would be added to the bill in years where a new license plate is issued.

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to authorize the Tax Commissioners office to prepare and mail pre-bills for vehicle/trailer tags. Commissioner Hannah provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

 

d.                  Bids/Road paving (Bakers Bridge, Winding Way)

 

The following companies submitted sealed bids for paving Bakers Bridge Road and Winding Way.

1.                  Tugaloo Construction

2.                  Georgia Highway Pavers

3.                  E. R. Snell

 

Commissioner Brown entered a motion to refer bids to County Administrator Gary Cobb and Public Works Director Rick Haney for their review and recommendation to the board at the next scheduled meeting. Further the County Attorney is authorized to prepare a preliminary contract based on the recommendation. Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion.

 

e.                  Bids/Rocky Ford boat ramp

 

No bids were received for the boat ramp. Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to refer bids to the County Administrator and Public Works Director for their review and recommendation to the board at the next scheduled meeting. Further, the County Attorney is authorized to prepare a preliminary contract based on the recommendation.  Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

 

f.                    Bids/Paving machine, roller

 

The following companies submitted sealed bids for the paving machine as per specs provided by the county:

            Burche Lowe Inc        $155,236.00 paving machine

                                                    44,166.00 roller

            Yancey Brothers           182,791.00 paving machine with trade in $35,000.

                                                    51,844.00 roller with trade in $6,000.

 

Commissioner Hannah entered a motion to refer bids to the County Administrator and Public Works Director for their review and recommendation to the board at the next scheduled meeting. Further, the County Attorney is authorized to prepare a preliminary contract based on the recommendation. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

 

 

g.                  Bid authorization-Recreation Center complex

 

Recreation Director Joe Crocker explained the rest room facilities are in need of upgrading. He said the proposed complex will be 20’x24’ two level facility. He also reported the Little League has committed $5,000 toward funding the project.

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to authorize the County Administrator and Recreation Director to advertise for sealed bids to construct a restroom/storage room facility at the recreation complex. Commissioner Hannah provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

 

h.                  Subdivision approval-Rick McCurry (Walmack Subdivision)

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to table a decision on the subdivision. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

 

i.                    Purchase .63 acres of land-Jimmy Myerholtz to relocate bridge on Memorial Road.

 

Chairman Moore explained the bridge on Memorial Road was washed out and the road has been closed. The county will have to relocate the bridge on a portion of land belonging to Mr. Myerholtz.

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to purchase .63 acres of land from Mr. Myerholtz in the amount of $2,500.00. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

 

j.                     Budget amendment

 

Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to approve the budget amendment to transfer funds from the General Government contingency fund to the Tax Commissioner’s budget to cover expenditures for the pre-bills. Commissioner Hannah provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

 

k.                  Public Defender employment contract

 

County Attorney Walter Gordon explained the employment contract with Todd Martin is for seven months ending June 30, 2000. He said the contract is contingent on approval from the five counties in the Northern Judicial Circuit.

 

Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to approve the employment contract. Commissioner Hannah provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The contract is recorded in the “1999-2000” minutes book.

 

 

Public Comment - Executive Session As Required – Adjournment

 

Herb Emmel asked if a provision has been made concerning mailing out pre-bills for proof of state required insurance coverage.

 

Attorney Gordon stated anyone purchasing a new vehicle will still have to go to the Tax Commissioners’ office to pay the advalorem taxes.

 

Administrator Cobb explained on the pre-bill form there is a place provided for insurance coverage to be completed by the owner.

 

Commissioner Burdick stated the pre-bill process precludes long lines at the Tax office.

 

Attorney Gordon said the process is two-fold in that the tax payer knows in advance how much the tag will cost and it more efficient for the tax payer and the staff in the Tax Commissioners office.

 

Mr. Emmel asked if there is a check process to make sure vehicle owners have the proper insurance coverage.

 

Commissioner Hannah stated there is no one to check the information.

 

Chairman Moore said that at normal roadside check vehicle owners are required to show proof of insurance coverage. Adding there is a fine for not providing proof of coverage or failure to have coverage.

 

Attorney Gordon stated that if someone provides the Tax office false proof of insurance coverage there is a criminal charge for perjury.

 

Virgil Ayers stated his vehicle taxes do not decrease as the vehicle depreciates.

 

Commissioner Burdick stated the State of Georgia sets the values on vehicles according to the blue book.

 

Attorney Gordon remarked that Mr. Ayers needs to forward a complaint to the State Revenue Commissioner regarding vehicle values.

 

Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                Joel Moore, Chairman                              Lawana Kahn, County Clerk