MINUTES

Hart County Board of Commissioners

Work Session held Wednesday, March 24, 2004

5:30 p.m.

A work session of the Hart County Board of Commissioners was held Wednesday, March 24, 2004 beginning at 5:30 pm.  All members of the Hart County Board of Commissioners were present along with Interim County Administrator (ICA), Jon Caime, Walter Gordon, County Attorney, Ronnie Dickerson, Roads Superintendent and members of the press (Hartwell Sun, Anderson Independent, WKLY Radio).

1.  Accepting the Agenda:  ICA Caime requested an addition to the agenda of item #4: Personnel Policy.  Commissioner Dorsey made a motion to accept the amended agenda.  Commissioner Banister provided a second, motion carried 5-0.

2.  Item #1, Road Dept Personnel Emergency Pay:

ICA Caime explained that the County is in need of a policy for the public works department to respond during non-business hours for emergency situations especially in response to after hours emergency roads situations.

Commissioner Oglesby questioned who has a pager on the roads department and who is allowed to carry a county vehicle home for emergency response.  Dickerson responded that both he and the roads foreman, Tony Johnson have pagers and county vehicles.

Commissioner Banister questioned how many times per month on average the roads department needs to respond to after hours emergencies.  Dickerson responded that it may average 2-3 times per month.

Commissioner Dorsey explained that currently all the roads department personnel are being asked to carry a pager on a rotating basis and are not being compensated when they are being required to be available on their own time after hours to respond to pages.

Commissioner Oglesby made a motion to compensate hourly road employees that are on call for 4 hours of regular pay. 

Commissioner Dorsey explained that the most important purpose of this issue is that someone is able to respond to emergency situations after hours.  Commissioner Dorsey then made a motion to restrict the road department personnel required to respond to a pager to the roads superintendent and roads foreman. Commissioner Bannister provided a second to the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

3.  Item #2: Purchasing and Contracting Policy

ICA Caime explained that the Hart County Board of Commissioners requested a policy addressing contracting for goods and services. He explained that the County currently has a purchasing policy.  ICA Caime presented a draft revised purchasing policy including a section dealing with the issuance of contracts.

There was discussion on ways to promote award to local companies.  Attorney Gordon suggested that this concept be an “aspirational goal” to promote awards to local companies while continuing a legal procurement process of open and competitive procurement.

Commissioner Dorsey suggested that the HCBOC members review the draft policy presented by ICA Caime and provide comments to Mr. Caime.

Commissioner Oglesby then made a motion to table this matter.  Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion and the motion carried 5-0.

4.  Item #3: Code Enforcement Officer

ICA Caime explained that the County had a full time code enforcement officer performing a variety of duties.  This position cost the County about $35,000 annually (total cost) and has been vacant since May 2003.  Upon the vacancy of this position ICA Caime reassigned some of the duties to other staff however several duties are not being currently addressed.

Commissioner Oglesby made a motion to hire a part time Code Enforcement Officer.

Commissioner Banister questioned if there was another way to perform these duties such as usage of the Magistrate community services officer for some of these duties.

Commissioner Dorsey explained that all the duties that have been able to be reassigned have already been reassigned and that the code enforcement officer would have to be deputized to enforce laws in the County.  He further explained that issues such as illegal dumping of trash, tires, and unpermitted logging and mobile home transports are taking place without a code enforcement officer.

Commissioner Carter asked to have a copy of the job description.

Commissioner Oglesby made a motion to table the issue until a job description is presented by ICA Caime.  Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion.  The motion passed 4-1 (Commissioner Dorsey opposed).

5.  Item #4 Personnel Policy

ICA Caime explained that currently applications for employment are not required to be submitted to the HCBOC office.  He explained that employment applications should be submitted to the HCBOC office and then copies of the applications forwarded to the department for consideration.  This would help to avoid potential problems such as accusations of discrimination or disclosure of confidential information.

Commissioner Oglesby made a motion to have all applications submitted to the HCBOC office if the Constitutional Officers agree to this revised policy.  Commissioner Banister seconded the motion and the vote was 5-0.

_____________________________________     ______________________________

Daniel W. Reyen, Chairman                                     Jon Caime, Interim Co. Administrator