Hart County Board of Commissioners

Called Work Session

March 6^th, 2003

5:30 p.m.

The Hart County Board of Commissioners met March 6^th, 2003 at 5:30 p.m. in the Hart County Administrative & Emergency Services Center.

Present were:            Chairman Banister, Commissioners Oglesby, Reyen, Carter and Dorsey, Board of Education members Bobby Jackson, Gwen Eppinger, Jeff Schenck (Hartwell Sun), Nathan Golden (Anderson Independent), Walter Gordon, Gary Cobb and eight citizens.

A citizen asked whether the districting maps in question were school attendance maps. Walter Gordon answered the question no.

Chairman Banister explained the process he took in creating Plan #9. He did it in several steps starting with Plan #3. He first adjusted the lines between District #4 and #2 back to their present location. Likewise he moved the line between District #3 and #2 along Ridge Road back to the present location. He then moved several census tracks along Beacon Light Road from District #4 to District #3. Numbers above = 5% variation. District #3 line was moved west into District #4 to Deer Run Road. Numbers still out. Lastly census tracks from the Tahoe Drive area in District #4 moved to District #3. Variations all fell below 5%. This map called Plan #9. This process was conducted with personnel of the State Reapportion Staff.

Much discussion followed. Many opinions expressed some new some reiteration past opinions.

Motion was made by Commissioner Oglesby, 2^nd by Commissioner Reyen to authorize Chairman Banister to work with Commissioners Carter and Dorsey to fine tune Plan #9, then take the result to the 6:00 p.m. March 10^th, 2003 Board of Education meeting. Vote 5-0.

At the suggestion of Walter Gordon, Plan #9 was renamed, as Plan #3.1 to better describe it was a variation of the original Plan #3.

Randy Combs suggested that better communication between board members is needed. He believes that this problem has produced gridlock.

Commissioner Carter stated he was pleased with the level of tonight's communication.

County Administrator explained the emergency situation the Water Authority is in with its sole full time employee being called to active duty. He desperately needs to immediately hire a person to read meters at a minimum. Walter Gordon added that the Water Authority planned to request a second person in the FY04 Budget. This request would move the plan up 6-months.

Motion by Commissioner Oglesby to authorize the Water Authority to hire a 2^nd person. Second by Commissioner Reyen. Vote 5-0.

Motion by Commissioner Reyen, second by Commissioner Oglesby to adjourn. Vote 5-0.

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Randy D. Banister, Chairman                   Gary S. Cobb, County Administrator