Hart County Board of Commissioners

July 12th, 2005

5:30 p.m.

 

The Hart County Board of Commissioners met July 12th, 2005 at 5:30 p.m. in the Hart County Administrative & Emergency Services Center.

 

Vice-Chairman Joey Dorsey presided with Commissioners Daniel Reyen, Gary Mize and Ricky Carter in attendance. Chairman R C Oglesby was absent.

 

  1. Call to Order 

Vice-Chairman Dorsey called the meeting to order.

 

  1. Welcome

Vice-Chairman Dorsey welcomed those in attendance.

 

  1. Prayer 

Rev. Sexton of Cedar Creek Baptist Church offered prayer.

 

  1. Pledge of Allegiance

Everyone stood in observance of the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

  1. Approve Agenda  

Commissioner Reyen entertained a motion to amend and approve the meeting agenda as follows:

            Remove Old Business item a) Preliminary Approval of Cottage Village at Oak Point

 

Commissioner Mize provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

 

  1. Approve Minutes of Previous Meeting(s)
    • 6/28/05 SPLOST III Meeting
    • 6/28/05 Budget Work Session
    • 6/28/05 Regular Meeting  

Commissioner Reyen entertained a motion to approve the minutes as amended. Commissioner Mize provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 3-0 (Commissioner Carter abstained since he was absent from the June 28, 2005 meetings).

 

  1. Remarks by Invited Guests, Committees, Authorities  

None

 

  1. Reports by Constitutional Officers & Department Heads 

None

 

  1. County Administrator's Report  

County Administrator Jon Caime reminded the BOC that they need to submit four miles each for the DOT LARP list. He announced the budget work sessions scheduled July 14 at 5:30 p.m.; July 26 & 27 beginning at noon.

 

Administrator Caime also announced that the County has issued a check to the City of Hartwell in the amount of $40,000 for the new parking lot project.

 

  1. Chairman's Report  

None

 

  1. Commissioners' Reports 

Commissioner Reyen noted that the BOC members elected not to attend the NACO meeting held in Hawaii at a cost savings of $35,000 to the county.

 

Commissioner Mize entertained a motion to send out a survey to county employees to see if there is an interest in voluntary payroll deductions for life insurance benefits. Commissioner Carter provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

 

Commissioner Carter inquired about the status of the Animal Control Ordinance and establishing a cap on utilizing fund balance. Administrator Caime responded that they can discuss establishing a cap for fund balance during the budget work sessions. Attorney Gordon responded that he will distribute the Animal Control Ordinance with the changes from the last work session to the BOC.

 

  1. Consent Agenda

None

 

  1. Old Business

a)      Preliminary Approval of Cottage Village at Oak Point - removed from the agenda

 

  1. New Business

a)      Updated Draft Comp Plan Introduction Section

Administrator Caime presented the first sections of an updated draft of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan that he is developing with the assistance of student interns. He invited public input so that he could get feedback on developing the plan. He noted that the deadline to have an approved plan in place by October 2006 and that the Ga Mtns. RDC must approve the draft next summer.

 

b)      Comp Time Policy  

After discussing the compensatory time policy, Commissioner Reyen entertained a motion to direct the County Attorney to review the issue and the County Administrator to draft an amendment to the comp time policy after the County Attorney’s review. Commissioner Carter provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

 

c)      Liability Coverage  

After discussing the liability coverage, Commissioner Reyen entertained a motion to further research surrounding counties coverage limits. Commissioner Carter provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

 

d)      Board Appointment-Airport Authority  

Commissioner Reyen entertained a motion to notify individuals that are serving on various boards/authorities when their term is about to expire along with a copy of the Policy for Making Board Appointments. Commissioner Carter provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

 

Vice-Chairman Dorsey entertained a motion to place the Board Appointment-Airport Authority on the following meeting agenda. Commissioner Reyen provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

 

e)      SPLOST III

Administrator Caime presented the schedule for adopting the SPLOST III resolution, ballot language, Justice Department notification and vote.

 

Commissioner Carter noted the SPLOST breakdown into taxpayer population in Hartwell, Bowersville, Royston, Canon and Hart County. He noted that each taxpayer in Royston portion would be $456.12, Bowersville taxpayers $141.02 and Canon $428.57 from SPLOST funds.  The proposed City of Hartwell portion would be $942.90 for each taxpayer. He added that taxpayers in Bowersville will not be receiving their fair share according to his calculations.

 

After discussing the issue, Commissioner Reyen entertained a motion to proceed with the five year SPLOST plan unless the City of Hartwell agrees in writing with a six year intergovernmental term by July 25th, 2005. Commissioner Mize provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 3-1 (Commissioner Carter opposed).

 

Commissioner Carter asked for another meeting with the City of Hartwell officials.

f)        Relocating Burch Street 

The HCBOC heard a request to relocate a section of Burch Street in Royston to eliminate a hill.  The HCBOC indicated that the project appears to make sense and will revisit the issue when more information is available.  No action was taken.

 

  1. Public Comment

None

 

  1. Executive Session - Board of Tax Assessors - Pending Litigation Matters 

Commissioner Reyen entertained a motion to exit into Executive Session to discuss pending litigation matters. Commissioner Mize provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0. The resolution is recorded in the minutes book.

 

  1. Adjournment  

With no further action taken during Executive Session, Commissioner Reyen entertained a motion to exit Executive Session and adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Mize provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.