Hart County Board of Commissioners

January 8th, 2002

5:30 p.m.

 

The Hart County Board of Commissioners met January 8th, 2002 at 5:30 p.m. in the Hart County Administrative & Emergency Services Center.

 

Chairman Joey Dorsey presided with Commissioners Randy Banister, Ken Brown, Don Burdick and R. C. Oglesby in attendance.

 

Chairman R. C. Oglesby called the meeting to order, welcomed those in attendance and called for a vote on the Chairman for year 2002.

 

Commissioner Oglesby nominated Joey Dorsey for the Chairman position. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

Commissioner Dorsey nominated Ken Brown for the Vice-chairman position. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

Chairman Dorsey presented Commissioner Oglesby with a gavel for serving as Chairman for the year 2001.

 

Moment of Silence 

 

Chairman Dorsey called for a moment of silence.

 

Approve Agenda

 

Commissioner Banister entered a motion to add to New Business item 13g. Resolution Landfill Grant, move item 13e to Old Business and approve the agenda. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.  The agenda is recorded in the minutes book.

 

Approve Minutes of Previous Meeting(s)

            12/11/01, 12/20/01

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to approve the minutes of the meetings held December 11th and December 20th, 2001. Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

Remarks by Invited Guests, Committees, Authorities, Etc.

None

 

Reports By Constitutional Officers & Department Heads

None

 

County Administrator's Report

 

County Administrator Gary Cobb reported that the county received proceeds in the amount of $29,590 for recycled items, which avoided transporting about two tons to a landfill site. He also reported that the committee had reviewed the RFP's for the Gateway Industrial project had narrowed down to four firms to be interviewed. He added that a recommendation would be ready for the January 22nd, 2002 meeting.

 

Chairman's Report

 

Chairman Dorsey reported that he has arranged for a tour of the power plant in Anderson County on January 18th, 2002 at 2:00 p.m.

 

Old Business

 

a.                  Water/Sewer Authority Appointment

 

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

 

Commissioner Banister entered a motion to appoint R. C. Oglesby to serve the unexpired term of J.W. Oliver. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

New Business

 

a.                  Harland Subdivision

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to approve Harland Subdivision. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

b.                  Bid Opening - FY'02 Vehicles

 

The following sealed bids were received for (2) patrol cars for the Sheriff's Department and 1 pickup truck for the Fire Chief:

·        Toccoa Ford                                            $19,845 ea/patrol cars

$19,145 pickup truck

·        Lavonia Ford                                           $19,191 ea/patrol cars

$18,790.47 pickup truck

·        Fairway Ford                                           $19,670 ea/patrol cars

$19,185 pickup truck

·        James Short Ford                                   $19,762 ea/patrol cars

$19,860 pickup truck

·         Allan Virgil Ford                                     $19,524 ea/patrol cars

$18,812 pickup truck

·        Legacy Ford                                            $20,200 ea/patrol cars

$18,962 pickup truck

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to refer the bids to the County Administrator to review and proceed with purchase upon the Chairman's approval. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

c.                  Beer & Wine Renewal - VFW

 

Commissioner Brown entered a motion to approve the VFW's Beer & Wine renewal application for 2002. Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

d.                  Request for Refund of 2001 Ad Valorem Taxes - Garrett Backus

 

Mr. Backus explained that he had paid ad valorem taxes to Hart County and was not aware of the law that required taxes to be paid in the county a property owner claims homestead exemption in. He further stated that he had to pay the same taxes in Fulton County plus a penalty. Mr. Backus requested a refund from Hart County in the amount of $645.39.

 

Commissioner Burdick remarked that it is incumbent upon the taxpayer to understand the law and he was concerned of setting precedence for other individuals that might have done the same thing.

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to deny Mr. Backus' request for refund to concur with the Tax Assessors' and Tax Commissioner decision to deny. Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 3-2, with Chairman Dorsey and Commissioner Banister opposed.

 

            f.          General Fund Budget Amendment - Misdemeanor Probation Svcs.

 

Commissioner Banister entered a motion to reduce the Probation Service revenue line item to $6,000 and the expenditure line item to $6,000. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

g.                  Resolution-Landfill Grant $39,604.40 

 

Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to approve the Resolution for a grant in the amount of $39,604.40. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

Public Comment  

 

George Bowers reported that the county abandoned a road and a quitclaim deed had been issued to four other property owners. He said one of the property owners has constructed a building across the road, which prevents him access to three of his lots. Mr. Bowers requested the road be restored at the county's expense.

 

Commissioner Banister entered a motion to have the county surveyor review the situation and work with the County Attorney, County Administrator and the Public Works Director and conclude with a recommendation. Commissioner Oglesby provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

Gwen Fisher, coordinator for Black History Month activities, requested financial assistance in the amount of $3,599 for the events to be held in Hart County in February.

 

Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to amend the county budget to provide funds for the event. The motion failed for a lack of second.

 

Chairman Dorsey asked Ms. Fisher if the City of Hartwell is contributing funds for the event. She responded that the City Council has already set their budget and they would not participate.

 

Commissioner Banister stated that he believed in community involvement but had a problem with the government funding projects such as this.

 

Chairman Dorsey stated that he thought the Black History activities is a good thing however, times are tough and the economy has slowed down and the commissioner needs to watch the funds very closely.

 

Ms. Fisher asked for whatever assistance the county could offer.

 

Chairman Dorsey asked for a motion from the floor. There was no motion offered. He wished Ms. Fisher luck with coordinating the activities.

 

Executive Session

None

 

Adjournment

 

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

 

 

 

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Joey Dorsey, Chairman                             Lawana Kahn, County Clerk