Hart County Board of Commissioners
April 27th, 2004
7:00 p.m.
The Hart County Board of Commissioners met April 27th, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. in the Hart County Administrative & Emergency Services Center.
Chairman Daniel Reyen presided with Commissioners R C Oglesby, Randy Banister, Ricky Carter and Joey Dorsey in attendance.
Chairman Reyen called the meeting to order.
Chairman Reyen welcomed those in attendance.
Commissioner Banister opened with prayer.
Everyone stood in observance of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to amend and approve the meeting agenda as follows:
Item 7 remove Peggy Vickery
Item 8 add Ray Lewis-request for supplemental funding
Item 15 add Joe Crocker
Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting held April 13th, 2004. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
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Chief Registrar Ray Lewis requested funding for state mandated training courses in the amount of $2,628. He reported that the funds would cover lodging and registration for the Registrars for the remainder of the fiscal year.
Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to approve the request for supplemental funding for the remainder of the fiscal year. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Attorney Walter Gordon reported that the Bowersville Town Council approved the relocation of the Voting Precinct in Bowersville to the Community Center. He stated that he will forward the information to the U S Department of Justice for their approval.
Attorney Gordon also reported that he has received a letter from a property owner offering to acquire property from the county adjacent to the Health Department. He said he explained that the property has to be declared surplus and exposed for public auction.
Commissioner Carter asked how much it would cost for legal fees for declaring property surplus. Attorney Gordon responded that he could estimate the legal fees and other fees involved.
Commissioner Dorsey remarked that he felt the county should hold on to the property for future expansion.
IA Caime reported on the following items:
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Commissioner Carter recognized the Master Gardeners for cleaning up the courthouse grounds.
Commissioner Dorsey asked about the status of the funds from Tax Commissioner Hix for the repayment of commissions. IA Caime responded that the funds have been received and deposited in the county's general fund bank account.
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a) Funding EBT Food Stamps
DFACS Director Tom Mullenix explained that 947 households in the county received food stamps last year at a cost of $1.9 million. He explained that the Electronic Benefit Transfer system was put in place for food stamp issuance and that each county in the state contracted with the Georgia Department of Human Resources to provide food stamps issuance to qualified residents. The cost to the county remains at 50% of the original price and the difference between what the Federal Government and the County Government payments will be picked up by the State. However, the State does not have funding available to pick up the county's portion.
Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to fund the EBT Food Stamp program. The motion died from a lack of a second.
Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to pay the two invoices for July through September and October through December 2003 in the amount of $3,365.58. Commissioner Dorsey asked where the funds will come from. IA Caime responded that it would be funded through fund balance. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second from the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
b) Additional Turn Out Gear Purchase for Fire Department
Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to purchase 10 sets of turn out gear.
Commissioner Carter expressed his concern about the stock pile of equipment at Shoal Creek. Commissioner Oglesby remarked that turn out gear losses it usefulness after seven years.
Commissioner Carter questioned how many firemen have been in the fire departments that do not have new equipment. Commissioner Dorsey responded that he was not sure of the number in each station, however as the roster continues to increase the equipment needs will increase also.
Chairman Reyen questioned why the request was not brought up during the budget preparation.
Commissioner Banister remarked that the Fire Department needs a management plan and bid out the gear to make sure the county gets the best price.
Commissioner Carter expressed his concern about putting new fire fighters before someone else that's been in the Department for several years.
Chairman Reyen remarked that he has a problem stockpiling equipment that can not be used.
Commissioner Banister and Carter suggested that Chief Vickery look into a policy to replace equipment and institute the bidding process.
Commissioner Dorsey remarked that the current vendor has territorial rights and that the equipment purchased needs to match with some they already have.
Chairman Reyen called for a vote. The vote carried 5-0.
c) Board Appointment - Hart County Board of Assessors
Commissioner Carter entertained a motion to appoint William Fogerty to fill the unexpired term of Florence Gaines, which will expire December 31st, 2004. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion.
Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to table the appointment until the next meeting. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion and remarked that he has not had the opportunity to talk to Mr. Fogerty. The motion failed 2-3 (Chairman Reyen, Commissioners Banister and Carter opposed to table the matter).
Commissioner Dorsey expressed his concern that a majority of the members of the Board of Tax Assessors were from Commissioner District #2.
Commissioner Carter responded that he worked with Farm Bureau to come up with someone from the farming community and was unsuccessful.
Chairman Reyen called for a vote. The vote to appoint William Fogerty carried 3-2 (Commissioners Oglesby and Dorsey opposed).
d) Bid Award-Groundwater Consulting Services
Commissioner Dorsey entertained a motion to remove the item from the table for discussion. Commissioner Oglesby provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Commissioner Dorsey entertained a motion to award the bid to GeoSyntec. Commissioner Oglesby provided a second to the motion.
Commissioner Dorsey remarked that he based his decision on experience dealing with GeoSyntec through Tenneco.
Commissioner Carter suggested negotiating with GeoSyntec with their hourly rate. Commissioner Dorsey responded that if that were the case then the county should negotiate with all three firms that submitted bids.
Chairman Reyen called for a vote. The vote carried 5-0 to award the contract to GeoSyntec.
e) Bid Award - Tandem Truck Road Department
Commissioner Dorsey entertained a motion to remove the item from the table for discussion. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Commissioner Dorsey entertained a motion to award the bid to Nalley Motor Trucks in the amount of $64,403. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. Commissioners Dorsey and Banister remarked that the availability of repair parts for the International truck would be much easier to acquire. The motion carried 5-0.
a) NE Animal Shelter - Dr. John McGarity
Dr. McGarity requested $15,000 in additional funding for the Animal Shelter for the remainder of the fiscal year. He said Franklin County allotted $25,000 and the shelter needs $2.50 per capita for operating expenses.
Commissioner Dorsey remarked that he fully supports the Animal Shelter and that they need to get an intergovernmental agreement between the agencies that support the shelter. He entertained a motion to fulfill the $15,000 obligation.
Commissioner Carter asked how many animals the shelter handles. Dr. McGarity responded that they handled an average of 100 per week.
IA Caime expressed his concern that some Departmental budgets were cut 10% from their FY03 allocations and an additional $15,000 would equal a 17% increase over the FY03 allocation.
Commissioner Dorsey remarked that if the shelter closes it would cost more in the future. Dr. McGarity stated that the funding request could be considered an emergency.
Commissioner Carter questioned how many animals brought into the shelter is from Hart County. Dr. McGarity responded that 60% are from Franklin and 40% from Hart due mostly from the location.
Commissioner Oglesby provided a second to the motion.
Jerry Linne' asked how many animals go out for adoption. Dr. McGarity responded that the adoption rate is 17%. Mr. Linne' suggested that the county require a dog license for pet owners.
The motion failed 2-3 (Chairman Reyen, Commissioners Banister and Carter opposed the additional funding).
Commissioner Carter entertained a motion to fund an additional $5,000 to the NE Georgia Animal Shelter. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion.
The motion carried 3-2 (Commissioners Oglesby and Dorsey opposed).
Commissioner Banister asked what got the shelter into an emergency situation. Dr. McGarity responded that their operational cost has increased.
b) Board of Assessors Policy Outline & Plan for implementing Peer Review Recommendations
Board of Tax Assessors Chairman Randy Combs presented a detailed plan for implementing the Peer Review Committee's recommendations for the office and staff for the remainder of the fiscal year.
Mr. Combs requested that the Board strongly consider raising the pay scale for the office staff.
Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to table the matter and schedule a work session. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion.
Chairman Reyen remarked that the Tax Assessors' office should be user friendly to citizens and open the system up so individuals can better understand what they are being taxed on.
Chairman Reyen reported that he received a complaint from a property owner in Hart County. He said the individual called long distance to the Assessors' office to seek information about a parcel in the county. The individual was told that the staff could not give out property information over the telephone and that he would have to come into the office to do the research.
Jay Earle, President of the Hart County Property Owners' Association, respectfully requested the Board of Commissioners' consider the proposal from the Tax Assessors. He commended Mr. Combs for his efforts.
Ben Fant remarked that "we're all in this together" and shouldn't make everything such a big deal. Mr. Fant stated that the individual that the Chairman was referring to is a fee appraiser and that Margaret doesn't get paid for doing fee appraisal work.
Chairman Reyen responded that all facts should be available over the telephone.
Mr. Fant remarked that as a matter of public record Ms. Crossley has saved the county $300,000.
Mr. Linne' responded that Mr. Fant has been well indoctrinated by Ms. Crossley.
Commissioner Carter stated that there is a lot of finger pointing and that everyone is trying to work together as a team. He suggested that the Property Tax Association and the Tax Assessor Board get together and discuss their issues.
c) Bid Award - Surplus Equipment
Commissioner Dorsey entertained a motion to award the bid to Thompson's Auto. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. Commissioner Carter asked who opened the bids. IA Caime responded that the County Clerk opened the bids. The motion carried 5-0.
d) Bid Award - Road Paving & Projects
IA Caime recommended awarding E. R. Snell the resurfacing of DOT approved list of paved roads; award Souders the Industrial Park paving project; award E. R. Snell the New Recreation Facility turn lane project.
Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to award the bid as recommended by IA Caime. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0. Chairman Reyen was absent during the vote.
Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to approve the DOT resurfacing list. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
e) Request to Seek Proposals for Update to Comprehensive Land Use Plan, Solid Waste Management Plan, and Service Delivery Strategy Plan
Commissioner Dorsey entertained a motion to seek proposals to update the Comprehensive Land Use, Solid Waste Management Plan & Service Delivery Strategy Plan. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Herbert Emmel requested to be placed on the next meeting agenda to discuss a request for overpayment of property taxes.
Attorney Gordon stated he would look into the legality before Mr. Emmel comes before the Board.
Joe Crocker remarked that last Tuesday he was meeting with IA Caime and was made aware of a situation and he got mad, acted irrationally and resigned. He asked to be reinstated as the Recreation Director. Mr. Crocker stated he has been involved with Recreation Department for 21 years and he doesn't want to walk away from it.
Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to turn the issue over to County Attorney Gordon and IA Caime to review and report back to the Board. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Commissioner Dorsey remarked if Joe is reinstated the Advisory Board, Joe and IA Caime would have to set clear goals for the Recreation Department.
Chief Appraiser Crossley remarked that Mr. Emmel's case is in Superior Court. Mr. Emmel responded that his case concerning his request is not in court.
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Commissioner Banister entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Carter provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
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Daniel W. Reyen, Chairman Lawana Kahn, County Clerk