Hart County Board of Commissioners

November 12^th, 2002

5:30 p.m.

The Hart County Board of Commissioners met November 12^th, 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 and Randy Banister in attendance. Commissioner Ken Brown absent.

Call to Order 

Chairman Dorsey called the meeting to order.

Welcome 

Chairman Dorsey welcomed those in attendance.

Prayer 

Commissioner Banister opened with prayer.

Pledge of Allegiance

Everyone stood in observance of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approve Agenda

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

            New Business  

j.          Water & Sewer Authority Request

            Public Comment

            a.         Taxpayers Association

Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

Approve Minutes of Previous Meeting(s)

            October 23^rd, October 29^th, November 7^th, 2002

Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to approve the minutes of the meetings held October 23^rd, 29^th and November 7^th 2002. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

Remarks by Invited Guests, Committees, Authorities, Etc.

None

Reports By Constitutional Officers & Department Heads

None

County Administrator's Report

County Administrator Gary Cobb announced the following:

• Sesquicentennial Celebration will have its "kickoff" at the Chamber of Commerce meeting in January 2003.
• Adopt-A-Highway program Appreciation Dinner November 21^st, 2002/Senior Center 6:30 p.m.
• Bid opening December 4^th - Gateway Industrial project

Administrator Cobb showed a video presentation produced by the Association of County Commissioners on the taxation process.

Chairman's Report  

Chairman Dorsey entered a motion to remove from the consideration prior 1% LOST proposals except for the position being the division of revenues should be based on the tax digest. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 3-1, Commissioner Oglesby opposed.

Commissioners' Reports

Commissioner Burdick remarked that the two newly elected commissioners should be invited to a meeting to discuss the mandated re-districting process so it can be presented to the Legislators in January.

Consent Agenda

None

Old Business

1. Second Reading of Road Inventory Ordinance

County Attorney Walter Gordon presented the second reading of the Road Inventory Ordinance.

New Business

            a.         Behavioral Health Center Construction Bid Award  

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to award the Behavioral Health Center Construction contract to Matrix Construction base bid of $400,000 to include Alternates 1, 2 and using the balance of the contingency funds for Alternate 3 and to authorize the Chairman to execute the contract. Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

2. McKinney Subdivision

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to approve the McKinney Subdivision request. Chairman Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

            c.         Road Abandonment Resolution  

Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to approve the Road Abandonment Resolution. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

            d.         Road Department Secretary Position  

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to eliminate the Road Department Secretary position. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

3. Board/Authority Appointments 

Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to re-appoint Roy Crocker and Vernon Edwards to the Joint Economic Development Authority. Commissioner Oglesby provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

            f.          FY03 SPLOST II Budget Amendment  

Commissioner Banister entered a motion to adopt the FY03 SPLOST II Budget Amendment. Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.  The amendment is recorded in the minutes book.

            g.         SPLOST II 5-year Capital Improvement Plan   

Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to adopt the SPLOST II 5-year Improvement Plan. Commissioner Oglesby provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.  The five-year plan is recorded in the minutes book.

Commissioner Burdick commended Administrator Cobb for his efforts in designing the Capital Improvement Plan.

            h.         General Fund Budget Amendment-Sheriff Dept vehicles  

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to adopt the budget amendment. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0. The amendment is recorded in the minutes book.

4. Liability Insurance

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to authorize the County Administrator to seek bid proposals for the county's liability insurance. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

            j.          Water & Sewer Authority Request  

Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to authorize $35,000 from 1%SPLOST II funds to extend water lines from Highway 29N to the APEX facility on Liberty Hill Church Road. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

Public Comment  

Jay Earle representing the Hart County Property Owners Association requested that the commissioners establish a millage rate based on the previous year digest; get an outside appraisal firm to create a new digest, using data already on the tax rolls. Mr. Earle stated that the appeals process would not resolve the property tax issues if faulty calculations were used to determine values for all property owners including those that did not appeal their values. He requested that the board consider future action on the proposal.

Jerry Linne', chairman of the Hart County Property Owners Association, presented several objections to the digest, including the use of comparable sales that are two or three years old; errors on property cards; and the classification of "resort" on lake property. Mr. Linne' insisted on fair and equal taxation.  He added that the Association has taken their cause to the Department of Revenue and will proceed to discuss the matter with the State Representatives and Legislators.

Recreation Advisory Board member Alan Eppinger stated that the Advisory Board voted to force the Broncos football team to forfeit a game, however they overturned their decision after discussing the issue with the coach. He complained that Recreation Director Joe Crocker did not support the Advisory Board's decision and that Crocker named Matthew Jackson to coach the all-star team.

Head Coach Robert Allen complained that Recreation Director Joe Crocker shows favoritism to other coaches and was against him. Adding that Director Crocker named Matthew Jackson to coach the all-star team, however the coach with the most wins is usually chosen. He said the team he coached went undefeated in the season and won the league championship.  

Chairman Dorsey questioned Mr. Allen about why he put an overweight limit player in the backfield and why he allowed him to play with a broken hand. Mr. Allen responded that the player did not carry the ball and that they did not know his hand was broken until after the game.

After discussing the issue, Commissioner Burdick entered a motion that the County Administrator, two commissioners, Recreation Director and the Advisory Board meet to resolve the issue. The motion carried 4-0.

Richard Brewster remarked that land values that are disputed are way out of proportion.

Executive Session  

None

Adjournment  

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

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Joey Dorsey, Chairman                            Lawana Kahn, County Clerk