Hart County Board of Commissioners

January 14th ,2003

5:30 p.m.

 

 

The Hart County Board of Commissioners met January 14th, 2003 at 5:30 p.m. in the Hart County Administrative & Emergency Services Center.

 

Chairman Joey Dorsey presided with Commissioners R. C. Oglesby, Dan Reyen, Randy Banister and Ricky Carter in attendance.

 

Call to Order  

 

Chairman Joey Dorsey called the meeting to order.

 

Welcome  

 

Chairman Dorsey welcomed those in attendance.

 

Prayer

 

Commissioner Banister offered prayer.

 

Pledge of Allegiance

 

Everyone stood in observance of the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

a.                 Election of BOC Chairman and Vice Chairman

 

Commissioner Carter entered a motion to elect Commissioner Banister for the Chairman for 2003. Commissioner Reyen provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

Commissioner Carter entered a motion to elect Commissioner Reyen for the Vice-Chairman for 2003. Chairman Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

Commissioner Dorsey stated he enjoyed serving in the Chairman position.

 

Approve Agenda

 

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

            Add:                Approve Minutes of Previous Meeting(s)

                                    December 20th, 2002 called meeting

            Delete:           Old Business item c

                                    New Business item l

 

Commissioner Reyen provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

Approve Minutes of Previous Meeting(s)

            12/10/2002, 12/20/2002, 12/30/2002

 

Commissioner Dorsey entered a motion to approve the minutes of the meetings held December 10th, 20th and 30th. Commissioner Oglesby provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

Remarks by Invited Guests, Committees, Authorities, Etc.

            Hedrick Isley-Chairman Board of Tax Assessors

 

Mr. Isley reported that the Board of Tax Assessors has heard approximately three hundred fifty appeals thus far, one-third decisions have been made, and hearings are scheduled through March. Mr. Isley requested that the board consider hiring an additional Appraiser III. He also stated that they needed additional office space.

 

Commissioner Dorsey questioned Mr. Isley on the number of appeals. Mr. Isley reported that there were approximately eleven hundred appeals.

 

Commissioner Dorsey also questioned if there were a number of no shows after the tax bills were sent out. Mr. Isley reported that there were some no shows.

 

Commissioner Dorsey requested that Mr. Isley update the board on the status of the appeals process at the first scheduled board meeting of the month.

 

Commissioner Oglesby questioned what the Chief Appraiser Crossley role would be if they hired an additional Appraiser III. Mr. Isley remarked that Ms. Crossley's would not change. However, the additional Appraiser would be utilized outside the office.

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to table the request for the additional appraiser to work out the details and present the request at the next budget time. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

Jerry Linne' remarked that he agrees the Tax Assessors need additional help and office space. He suggested that the Board of Tax Assessors appeals hearings stop immediately and direct the appeals to the Board of Equalization. He remarked that state law does not require the Board of Assessors' to hold appeals hearings.

 

Reports By Constitutional Officers & Department Heads

 

County Attorney Walter Gordon responded to the issue raised concerning the authority of the Board of Assessors. He said the Board of Assessors is compelled under State law to review the property valuation when an appeal has been filed.

 

Pete Nagele remarked that there is rising frustration for property owners that their property is under appeal. He said the Board of Assessors hearings are not required and requested that the Board of Equalization take over the hearings.

 

Commissioner Dorsey remarked that the Board of Commissioners does not have any control over the way the Tax Assessor Board handles the appeals process. He recommended that anyone that has filed an appeal not deny themselves of the opportunity to have someone else hear the case.

 

Chairman Banister remarked that he did not want to "railroad" the appeals process.

 

County Administrator's Report

 

County Administrator Gary Cobb reported that the county has received $50,000 from the Department of Natural Resources for Recreation land acquisition; $97,425 from DNR for landfill closure; and $85,000 from the DOT for the Gateway Industrial Park project.

 

Administrator Cobb reported those 1,644 tons of material was recycled in 2002, which saved the county taxpayers approximately $51,000. The 1,644 tons equates to 143 pounds per person in the county.

 

Administrator Cobb presented the first quarter general fund financial report.

 

Chairman's Report  

 

Chairman Banister welcomed Commissioners Carter and Reyen. He thanked Commissioner Dorsey for his leadership during 2002 and commended Commissioner Oglesby for his years of service. He also encouraged citizen input in the budget process.

 

Commissioners' Reports

 

Commissioner Carter remarked that he is proud to be able to serve people in Hart County.

 

Commissioner Dorsey reported that due to poorly maintained private roads, the Fire Department has experienced some problems getting to fires on such roads.

 

Consent Agenda

 

None

 

Old Business

 

a.                 Appointments

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to remove the item from the table for discussion. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

Commissioner Dorsey entered a motion to appoint Kim Blalock to fill the unexpired term of Julie Balliet on the Recreation Advisory Board. Commissioner Oglesby provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to appoint Commissioner Dorsey to serve on the RDC Board. Chairman Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

            b.            Lake Hartwell Marketing Request  

 

Commissioner Dorsey entered 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 entered a motion to deny the Lake Hartwell Marketing request for support. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

            c.            Pressure Regulator/Expansion Valve Proposal - removed from the agenda.

 

            d.            Acceptance of Peek's Subdivision Roads   

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to remove the item from the table for discussion. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

After discussing the situation that the developer has conveyed right-of-way to the City of Hartwell, Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to table the request. Commissioner Reyen provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

New Business

 

a.                 Addition of Bryant Road into County Road System

 

Commissioner Dorsey entered a motion to adopt Bryant Road into the County Road System. Commissioner Oglesby provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

            b.            Addition of Cove Trail into County Road System  

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to adopt Cove Trail into the County Road System. Commissioner Reyen provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

            c.            Addition of LeFevre Road into County Road System

 

Commissioner Dorsey entered a motion to adopt LeFevre Road into the County Road System. Commissioner Oglesby provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-1. Commissioner Carter opposed.

 

d.                 Acceptance of Freedom Heights Drive into County Road System

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to deny the request to accept Freedom Heights Drive into the County Road System. Commissioner Reyen provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

e.                 Acceptance of Cedar Pond Road into County Road System

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to deny the request to accept Cedar Pond Road into the County Road System. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 3-1. Commissioner Reyen opposed and Commissioner Carter abstained stating that he has a relative that resides on Cedar Pond Road.

 

f.                    Sesquicentennial Year Proclamation

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to adopt the Sesquicentennial Proclamation. Commissioner Carter provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

            g.            Elizabeth Drive Waterline Proposal  

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to fund the waterline project contingent on a contract with the developer at an estimated cost of $33,840 not to exceed $35,000 from the 1% SPLOST II funds. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

            h.            EPD Resolution & Agreement - Landfill Closing  

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to adopt the EPD Resolution and agreement for post closure landfill expenses. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

            i.            Land Development Ordinance Study  

 

The Board concurred that the County Administrator and staff review the current Land Development Ordinance and make recommendations for improvements.

 

            j.            Bid Opening - Ambulance Rebuild  

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to defer the bids to the County Administrator and EMS Director to review and make recommendation to the Board. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

k.                  Bid Award - Literacy Center/Library Parking Lot Lighting 

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to deny the bids for the Literacy Center/Library Parking Lot lighting project. Commissioner Reyen provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

l.                    Budget Amendment - Parking Lot Lighting removed from the agenda.

 

m.            Budget Amendment - DDA Commitment  

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to adopt the budget amendment resolution. Chairman Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

n.            Budget Amendment - Fire Department

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to adopt the budget amendment resolution. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

Commissioner Dorsey commended Fire Chief Vickery and Fire Training Officer Harbinson for their efforts in obtaining a grant for equipment.

 

            o.            Beer & Wine License Renewal-Hartwell Golf Club  

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to approve the Beer & Wine License Renewal for Hartwell Golf Club. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

            p.            Beer & Wine License-Vanna Country Store  

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to approve the Beer & Wine License for Vanna Country Store. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

q.                 Breeden Subdivision

 

Commissioner Carter entered a motion to accept the subdivision request contingent upon the landowner acknowledging that the road will not be a county road. Commissioner Oglesby provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

            r.            Norris Subdivision  

 

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

 

            s.            Road Adoption Policy  

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to table the Road Adoption Policy. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

            t.            Drainage Pipe Policy  

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to table the Drainage Pipe Policy. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

            u.            Tattoo Parlor Discussion  

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to petition the Board of Health to place a six-month moratorium of issuing permits for Tattoo Parlors. Commissioner Carter provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

v.                  Non-Partisan Probate Judge & Magistrate Judge Election Discussion

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to proceed to request the State Legislatures to adopt Non-Partisan elections for the Probate Judge and Magistrate Judge positions. Commissioner Reyen provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

Public Comment  

 

None

 

Executive Session

 

None

 

Adjournment  

 

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

 

 

 

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Randy D. Banister, Chairman                       Lawana Kahn, County Clerk