BOC Meets in Workshop & Regular Session

With the gas line rupture repaired (see Call Before You Dig? below), the Gilmer County Board of Commissioners (BOC) met in a workshop session at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, July 9th. The purpose of the workshop was to discuss items that would be on the agenda of regular meeting at 6:00 p.m.
Several items were discussed, the most notable included:

• Award of the proposal on refurbishing a ladder truck for the Fire Department. The cost of the refurbishing is $199,000. $150,000 will be paid by the City of East Ellijay. There was only one proposal received and that was from the original manufacturer of the vehicle. The cost to refurbish is much less than the estimated cost of a comparable new vehicle at $1.1 million. The award was formally approved at the evening meeting.

• Award of the proposal to re-roof the Civic Center Building. Commission Chairman Chastain explained that the roof on the Civic Center is in deplorable condition and has resulted in mold and mildew in the building. “The mold problem cannot be addressed until the water problem is solved”, said Commissioner Chastain. There were two proposals received and the Commission awarded the contract to the lowest of $42,760 by Paris Roofing at the evening meeting.

• Perhaps the most discussed item at the Workshop was the action to advertise for the new Millage Rate. The Commissioners indicated that they would hold the Millage Rate to 5.0 mils for the 2009 tax year. They also indicated that doing this required the department heads and constitutional officers to hold their budgets “flat”. Budget discussions will commence within the next thirty days with each department head and constitutional officer. Emphasis will be placed on completing this year’s expenditures approximately eight to ten percent less than originally approved to offset the reduction of budgeted income of approximately the same amount. For the first six months (50% of year) County expenditures are a total of 47.57% of budget but revenue is only 39.94% of budget. The Commissioners indicated that they will take action in a future meeting to amend the current budget to reflect the reduction of income and expenses. At the evening meeting formal approval was given to advertise the Millage Rate at 5.0 mils.

Related to the budget discussions, this reporter reminded the members of the Commission that they had each, in the last campaign, talked about the importance of transparency in government. They each had indicated that would support steps to allow citizens to monitor income and expenses within the County. I suggested that they post monthly income & expense reports, by department, on the official County website. They committed to do this and instructed County Finance Director, Faye Harvey to proceed with getting the reports posted.

• The second most discussed item was the award of the contract for the feasibility study on the extension of the airport runway. There seemed to be very little enthusiasm for the runway extension among the Commissioners especially if condemnation of land is involved in completing the project. It was noted however that now is the time to look at the extension with the General Obligation Bond money that is earmarked for the airport. In addition it was felt that the study may provide useful information for economic development. Six proposals were received for the study. The “short list” was two companies. RKG from Virginia was deemed the best proposal because of price and direct experience with airport feasibility studies. At the evening meeting the Commission awarded the $27,500 contract to RKG.

• In other actions at the evening meeting, the Commission approved a zoning request by Billy Masters on Yukon Rd. of a parcel from R-1 to C. Action on the wireless telephone contract was tabled until the next regular meeting. The Commission authorized the Chairman to execute documents to extend the TAN Note from $2 million to $4 million dollars. The Airport Advisory Board was reduced from 8 members to 7 members and Don Isom was appointed to a vacant position on the Board. Approval was given for exchange of road right of way with a private property owner. Proposals were approved for paving and resurfacing of roads, and the Commission authorized the participation in the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission.