HART COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MARCH 23, 1999
7:00 P.M.
The Hart County Board of Commissioners met March 23, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. in the Hart County Administrative & Emergency Services Center.
Chairman Joel Moore presided with Commissioners Ken Brown, Don Burdick, Harry Hannah and R C Oglesby in attendance.
Chairman Moore called the meeting to order, welcomed those in attendance and offered a moment of silence.
Commissioner Hannah entered a motion to approve the meeting agenda. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The agenda is recorded in the “1998” minutes book.
Approve Minutes of Previous
Meeting(s)
3/09/99
Commissioner Brown entered a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting held March 9, 1999. Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion. However, he stated one correction needed to be made under Commissioners’ reports, second line of the paragraph the word to needed to be changed to for. The motion carried unanimously.
Remarks by Invited Guests,
Committees, Authorities, Etc.
a. Boyd McLocklin, Ga. Mountains Community Service
Mr. McLocklin was not available at the time for the remarks. His remarks by invited guests, committees, authorities were moved on the agenda.
County Attorney Walter Gordon reported that all the parcals on the delinquent tax sale were sold. He stated since Tax Commissioner Phil Hix took over the responsibilities of the delinquent tax collections there have been an excess of $500,000 collected.
Mr. Gordon also reported he prepared a Technical Corrections Resolution for the Code of Ordinances. He explained that the county’s mobile home ordinance adopted March 1996 was inadvertently left out of the Code of Ordinances. He stated the document was corrected by Municipal Code at no expense to the law library or the county.
Commissioner Hannah entered a motion to adopt the Technical Corrections Resolution. Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The resolution is recorded in the “1998” minutes book.
Commissioner Burdick reported the Board of Education receives approximately sixty percent of the delinquent taxes collected.
Chairman Moore reported the hot water heater at the jail facility had to be replaced and he was pleased to report the cost to replace the hot water heater was lower than the anticipated cost.
Chairman Moore made a statement concerning the proposed Department of Family & Children Services facility. He explained that the board acted in a prudent and, responsible matter, in compliance with the law and the established procedures. He also stated the board’s decision represents the best interest of the citizens of Hart County. Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to authorize Chairman Moore to sign a letter to be forwarded to Mr. Vickers of the board’s decision to continue with the project. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The public statement is recorded in the “1998” minutes book.
a. Bids/Bushhog – Southern zone
b. Board Appointment/Library
c. Bids/Grading various county roads
Commissioner Brown entered a motion to approve the consent agenda. Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
The consent agenda is recorded in the “1998” minutes book.
None
a. Audit report FY’98/Wayne Bowen, CPA
County Auditor Wayne Bowen submitted the FY’98 audit report and explained the various areas of the report. Mr. Bowen stated the audit shows a deficit of $474,095 in its general fund for the year ending September 30, 1998. He explained according to the Institute of Government a county is in adequate fiscal condition if the fund balance of its general fund equals at least three months budgeted expenditures. He said at the end of the county’s fiscal year the fund balance equaled approximately five months of operating expenditures.
Mr. Bowen complimented County Clerk Lawana Kahn and Deputy County Clerk Betty Floyd for their knowledge and professionalism.
Commissioner Burdick stated the expenditures exceeding revenues would continue to erode the fund balance.
Chairman Moore asked Mr. Bowen if the board should “put on the brakes with current spending levels.”
Mr. Bowen suggested the Board and all department heads take an accounting inventory of its expenditures in relation to the current budget. He said it is imperative that each department head monitors the expenditures of their department in relation to the budget.
Commissioner Hannah entered a motion to approve the FY’98 audit report as presented by Mr. Bowen. Commissioner Moore provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
Remarks by Invited Guests, Committees, Authorities, Etc.
a. Boyd McLocklin, Ga. Mountains Community Service
Mr. McLocklin reported the MH/MR/SA agency has served five hundred forty three county residents in the past year. He commended the Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse staff members for their efforts to provide support to their clients.
Mr. McLocklin stated they would ask the board to provide the same level of funding for FY2000. He asked the board to consider applying for a grant to fund construction of a new facility for the agency.
Commissioner Hannah stated he appreciated the service the agency provides to the local community.
Commissioner Burdick asked if there is an increase in various types of substance abuse. Mr. McLocklin stated the current trend is increasing.
Chairman Moore thanked the constitutional officers for attending the meeting and their efforts to work with the board.
New Business (continued)
b. Bids/Lawn Maintenance
County Clerk Lawana Kahn read the bids proposals that were submitted for lawn maintenance as follows:
· The Gardener $470 per cut
· New Horizons 300 per cut
· Pro Serv 415 per cut
· M Ross Inc 295 per cut
· Tallent Lawn Service 665 per month ($332.50 per cut)
Mr. Ross’ bid included waivering the fee of $35 per cut at the Library facility if Extension Director Charles Rice will accept the time spent as time donated toward his commitment into the Master Gardeners program.
Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to accept Mr. Ross’ bid of $260 per cut. Commissioner Hannah provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
d. Thomas Habel/plans – industrial park/Elberton Highway
Thomas Habel introduced his son Bill Habel and asked him to read a letter from Mayor Joan Saliba supporting Mr. Habel’s industrial park project.
Thomas Habel asked the board to consider paving an alternate road into the Elberton Highway property. Commissioner Burdick asked him how long the road is that will lead into the project. Mr. Habel reported the road is approximately one half mile in length.
Mr. Habel explained he owns fifty-four acres of land off Elberton Highway of which he plans to utilize thirty three to thirty five acres for an industrial park and he will develop ten acres for a secure apartment complex. He said the property was appraised at $7,000 per acre and is a great investment.
Mr. Habel stated his sons are owners of local businesses and they plan to open a second shop for T&T Truck Sales on thirteen acres of the property and add ten additional employees.
Local contractors Mike Wright and Charles Finley stated Mr. Habel’s industrial park project would add to the county’s tax base and create a few new jobs. Both men asked the board to consider Mr. Habel’s request.
Employees of the Habels, Kathy Nye and Angie Beard, stated the Habels are great people to work for and that the county needs more businesses to employ local residents.
Commissioner Oglesby expressed his concern that if the county paves the road into the industrial park project it will be owned by the City of Hartwell. He also stated he was not in favor of paving a road that will lead into a private drive to the apartment complex.
Chairman Moore stated the board would have to justify using public funds for a private residential area.
Mr. Habel stated the State of Georgia has awarded a grant to the City of Hartwell to provide water and sewer to the property. He expressed his concern as why the board is reluctant to pave the road.
Commissioner Oglesby stated if the board does not participate in the Habel project the grant funds would be in jeopardy.
Father Cain of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church stated Mr. Habel’s project would be a great asset to Hart County.
Chairman Moore stated the county does not have an unlimited amount of funds for industrial development and the City will receive grant funds mixing residential and industrial development.
Mr. Habel challenged the board to purchase the fifty four-acre tract and develop it into an industrial park.
Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to table Mr. Habel’s request until further discussion. Commissioner Oglesby provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
e. Board of Tax Assessors/funding request
Hedrick Isley, Chairman of the Board of Assessors requested additional funding of $29,000 which would be used to hire two field appraisers and a data entry clerk. Mr. Isley explained the funds were needed for a countywide revaluation to bring property appraisals into compliance with state regulations. He also stated the added personnel would help the assessors’ office be able to complete the tax digest by August 1. He explained the other alternative would be to hire an outside consulting firm to help with the revaluation at a cost in excess of $150,000.
Chairman Moore stated the board would have to adopt a budget amendment resolution at the next scheduled meeting. He entered a motion to approve the Board of Assessors’ funding request of $29,000. Commissioner Hannah provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The breakdown of the funding request is recorded in the “1998” minutes book.
Commissioner Burdick stated local property owners are interested in fair equitable appraisals.
Jack Quinn suggested that the additional field appraisers be allowed to use their personal vehicle and the county pay them mileage.
Mr. Quinn stated that each department head should justify expenditures. He also stated the board allows John Semley to proceed with the state grant program. He suggested Mr. Semley explain to Hart County citizens land use and how land use can protect landowners.
Chairman Moore reported he has sent a memo to each department head informing him or her that there will be no more capital expenditures during fiscal year 1999. He also stated there will be a mid year review of each department as where they currently stand in respect to the budget.
Kenneth Hodges stated he contacted Larry Sparks of Ga. Mtns. RDC in respect to the cost of the proposed zoning ordinance.
Mr. Hodges stated he also contacted Kristy Campbell of the EPD inquiring about the Scrap Tire enforcement grant. He expressed his concern that the EPD was withholding reimbursement funding since Mr. Semley has not been fulfilling guidelines of the grant program. He asked the board who was paying Mr. Semley’s salary since the county is not being reimbursed.
Virgil Ayers presented Chairman Moore with a check in the amount of $10 for the Code of Ordinances.
Commissioner Hannah entered a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
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Joel Moore, Chairman Lawana Kahn, County Clerk