HART COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
JUNE 22ND , 2004
7:00 P.M.
The Hart County Board of Commissioners met June 22nd, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. in the Hart County Administrative & Emergency Services Center.
Chairman Daniel Reyen presided with Commissioners R C Oglesby, Ricky Carter and Joey Dorsey in attendance. Commissioner Randy Banister was absent.
Chairman Reyen called the meeting to order.
Chairman Reyen welcomed those in attendance.
Commissioner Dorsey offered prayer.
Everyone stood in observance of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to approve the meeting agenda. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to approve the minutes as amended of the June 8th, 2004 meeting. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
Mrs. Peggy Vickery - Sesquicentennial
Mrs. Vickery presented a request for the county to participate in a full page ad for the Sesquicentennial at an estimated cost of $900.00.
Chairman Reyen entertained a motion to approve funding the ad from the Economic Development fund account. Commissioner Oglesby provided a second to the motion.
Commissioner Dorsey remarked that he is in favor of the project however; he was not in favor of using county funds to pay for the ad. He suggested that each commissioner use contribute funds from their payroll.
Commissioner Carter remarked that he does not have a problem with contributing funds from his paycheck.
Chairman Reyen called for the vote. The vote carried 3-1to fund the ad in the Hartwell Sun from the Economic Development account. (Commissioner Dorsey opposed)
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IA Jon Caime reported that the final phase of the Recreation project bids has been postponed until Monday, June 28th and requested that the Board consider meeting June 30th at noon to award the bid.
Chairman Reyen entertained a motion to call a meeting June 30th at noon to award the bid for the final phase of the Recreation project. Commissioner Carter provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
IA Caime reminded the Board about upcoming Board/Authority appointments. He reported that memos were sent out the current board members and he has received a few replies back.
IA Caime reminded the Board of the meeting scheduled June 24th at 5:30 p.m. with the Board of Tax Assessors to discuss the Peer Review recommendations.
IA Caime also reported that the Service Delivery Strategy is due in December and he will be updating the Board as he gets more information.
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Commissioner Carter asked if the Courthouse grounds guidelines have been developed. IA Caime remarked that County Extension Agent Charles Rice has made recommendations for use of the grounds and we are awaiting his development of a draft policy.
Commissioner Dorsey asked for clarification concerning placing items on the meeting agenda.
Commissioner Dorsey entertained a motion to establish that any single commissioner can place an item on the agenda and that if the item is voted down it will take two commissioners to place the item on a subsequent agenda. Commissioner Oglesby provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
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a) Award Phase II I-85 Industrial Park Bid
Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to award the Phase II I-85 Industrial Park Bid to Thrift Brothers in the amount of $546,468. Commissioner Carter provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
b) Discussion on Tommy English Memorial Fund
IA Caime explained that this year was the 11th annual Tommy English Memorial Tournament and funds raised are used for scholarship. In the past $500 to $1,000 has been donated each year for scholarships. This year after cash donations were remitted and expenditures were paid there is an excess of $1,485.00.
Commissioner Carter stated that the county should allow the individuals involved in the Tournament handle the funds on their own and leave the county out of it.
Chairman Reyen entertained a motion to apply the excess funds to the appropriate scholarship funds and amend the budget to reflect the action. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0. The budget amendment resolution is recorded in the minutes book.
c) Tax Levy Resolution for the Hart County BOE School SPLOST
Attorney Cory Kirby representing the Board of Education requested that the Board of Commissioners approve a Tax Levy Resolution for the Hart County Board of Education General Obligation School Bonds.
Chairman Reyen pointed out the referendum for the SPLOST renewal was for an estimated $13.8M however the bond issuance will amount to almost $24M which effectively amounts to a $10M tax increase if the SPLOST is not renewed in 5 years. After discussing the issue, Chairman Reyen entertained a motion to table the issue. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion.
Attorney Kirby strongly reminded the Board that the citizens voted for a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax referendum this past March and the voters authorized the issuance of general obligation bonds for the school system. He remarked that the interest rate is locked in and if the transaction is not closed on June 29 the rate could go up.
Chairman Reyen remarked that he strongly resented being put in the position to approve and adopt the resolution and withdrew his motion to table the issue.
Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to adopt the resolution for the General Obligation Bonds. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion.
Buddy Groover said that he voted for the SPLOST and was told if it wasn't approved the Board of Education would raise property taxes. He requested that the Board of Commissioners not do anything.
Scott Appling remarked that interest rates are low and they are going up.
Tommy Warren asked if the Board of Education knew without a doubt if interest rates are going up. He remarked that it sounds like a scare tactic.
Commissioner Carter remarked that the Board of Commissioners received the notification four days prior to the meeting.
Chairmen Reyen called for the vote. The vote carried 3-1 (Chairman Reyen opposed).
d) Abandonment of a section of Lightwood Lane
Attorney Gordon remarked that the law sets forth a process to abandon a road. He reported that he has not found any evidence that there is a deeded right-of-way to the county for the section of the road on Lightwood Lane.
Commissioner Dorsey remarked that the county would create a serious precedence if they abandon the section of the road.
Commissioner Carter remarked that the county would be giving away property to the adjoining property owners. Attorney Gordon responded that the law would require the county to hold a public auction if the portion of the road is abandoned.
Commissioner Carter entertained a motion to leave the section of Lightwood Lane as it is. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
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Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
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Daniel Reyen, Chairman
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Lawana Kahn, County Clerk