Hart County Board of Commissioners
The Hart County Board of Commissioners met August 26th, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. in the Hart County Administrative & Emergency Services Center.
Chairman Randy Banister presided with Commissioners R C Oglesby, Daniel Reyen, Ricky Carter and Joey Dorsey in attendance.
Chairman Banister called the meeting to order.
Chairman Banister welcomed those in attendance.
Commissioner Dorsey opened with prayer.
Everyone stood in observance of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Dorsey entertained a motion to amend and approve the meeting agenda as follows:
New Business
d) Paul Martin Subdivision
Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to approve the minutes of the meetings held July 31st, August 7th, August 11th, August 12th, August 15th, August 18th, August 19th and August 25th, 2003. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
None
County Attorney Walter Gordon reported that the Superior Court Judge issued an order of dismissal for the Hodges v the Board Tax Assessors case with prejudice. He reported that the Water & Sewer Utility Authority has awarded a contract to the low bidder for the Gateway Water tank and the water line for Highway 77 project has been put out for bid.
Attorney Gordon announced that he has graduated from UGA Water Law Seminar. He reported that Georgia Public TV has requested permission to enter into a tower lease agreement with the county.
Attorney Gordon also reported the results of the State audit on the property tax digest, ranking Hart County as the 26th lowest in the state.
Commissioner Reyen remarked that the reason the tax rate is so low in the county is due to the fact that we have lake front property which has resulted in $8 hundred million of assets, which needs to be protected.
None
Chairman Banister welcomed anyone interested in the budget process to attend the budget work sessions. He also reported that he attended a meeting with Congressman Charlie Norwood concerning the proposed Savannah River Lakes Private Land Ownership Restoration Act (H.R. 2753). He remarked that the public concerns are being recognized by himself and his staff about the legislation.
Commissioner Dorsey requested a consensus from the board about the county's drive way policy since the county is maintaining the right-of-way.
Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to amend the drive way pipe policy and form a fee structure for additional pipe requests. Adding, that the county will furnish one section of pipe and will install an additional pipe at the property owner's expense. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
None
a) Behavioral Health Center Lease & Budget Discussion - Laura Tyler/ GA Mtns. Community Service Board
Interim Administrator Jon Caime reported that the Behavioral Health general fund budget will be reduced by 10% as part of the County wide across the board cut of 10% to non-core functions. In addition, the County will further reduce the Behavioral Health General fund budget by the difference between the current rent that the agency is paying and the reduced rent that the County will charge when the agency moves into the new Behavioral Health Center. This second cut will not affect the Budget any further than the original 10% cut in non-core functions due to the fact that the agency will be paying considerably less in rent then they have been with the FY03 budget.
Ms. Tyler remarked that the reduction in funds will be equitable but would like to revisit the funding sources in the future. She thanked the board for supporting the agency and for their efforts in acquiring a grant to build a new facility.
Chairman Banister entertained a motion to remove the item from the table for discussion. Commissioner Carter provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to enter into a lease agreement with GA. Mtns. Community Service Board. Commissioner Reyen provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
b) LARP List
Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to remove the item from the table for discussion. Commissioner Reyen provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
After discussing the list of roads to submit to the DOT, Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to add the old section of Redwine Church and Hodges Mill Road on the list of roads. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
a) Lecroy Lane Water Project - Tony Smith HCWSA Director
Water Authority Chairman Fort Oglesby requested $15,000 of SPLOST II funds for the Lecroy Lane water project.
Commissioner Reyen entertained a motion to table the request. Commissioner Oglesby provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
b) Discussion on Dept. of Correction Construction of New Recreation Multiuse Building
Interim Administrator Caime reported that the Department of Corrections offers mobile construction crews consisting of inmates. He said he felt this would be a wonderful opportunity for the county to use the construction crews to build a multiuse facility at the new recreation complex on Elberton Highway. He reported that the Department of Corrections will manage the project and the county will be responsible for funding the materials used to construct the facility.
Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to approve the concept. Commissioner Carter inquired about the sewer system. Interim Administrator Caime stated that the County is exploring the possibilities of installing a septic system especially in light of the potential cost savings of installing a septic system.
Commissioner Reyen provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
c) Hospital Authority Recommendations
Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to recommend Larry Fouch and James Spencer for the Hospital Authority. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
d) Paul Martin Subdivision
Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to table the request. Commissioner Reyen provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
None
Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel and litigation matters. Commissioner Reyen provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0. The resolution and affidavit is recorded in the minutes book.
With no further action taken during Executive Session, Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to exit and reconvene the regular meeting. Commissioner Reyen provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to increase Interim Administrator Jon Caime's salary to $65,000 per year beginning with the next pay period. The agreement for payment of health insurance that Mr. Caime currently has with Hart County will remain the same and will be in addition to the $65,000 per year salary. In addition one additional week of paid vacation will be granted to Mr. Caime. Mr. Caime will maintain the Interim Administrator title until January of 2004 at which time the Commissioners will revisit this issue to negotiate a contract with Mr. Caime.
Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
------------------------------------------------------------------ -----------------------------------------------------
Randy D. Banister, Chairman Lawana Kahn,