EXTRAORDINARY
SESSION
The Board of Commissioners of Spalding County, Georgia, held their extraordinary session on Monday, September 18, 2000 in their office in the Courthouse Annex in the City of Griffin, Spalding County, Georgia, beginning at 6:00 o’clock p.m. with Commissioners Earle Childres, Martha McDaniel, Merrill Massengale, Johnie McDaniel and Michael Kendall present. Also present were County Manager Mike Ruffin, Deputy County Manager William Wilson, County Attorney Jim Fortune and Executive Secretary Phyllis Doane.
I.
OPENING (CALL TO ORDER) – Chairman Kendall
II. INVOCATION
- Rev. Randy Valimont – Mr. Mike Freeman, the Administrator for the First
Assembly of God led the invocation in the absence of Rev. Valimont.
III. PLEDGE
TO FLAG – Led by Chairman
Kendall
1.
Presentation of Fiscal
Year 2000 Audit. Ms. Jinna
Garrison, Finance Director, Miller Edwards and Meredith Lipscomb from Mauldin
and Jenkins, CPA were present to make this presentation.
Mr.
Edwards stated that they completed their audit on August 4, 2000.
He brought a summary of the audit.
He said that on the General Fund the assets were $6.8 million of which
$4.6 million was in cash (fund balance).
He said that $4.6 million looks really good at June 30th;
however, this has to carry you forward until you get those property tax
revenues coming in which is November and December.
He said that the county has general revenues of $23.3 million and
expenditures of $23 million with an excess of revenues of $258,000.
He said that the county was in line with having the operations provide
sufficient revenues to provide the needed services for its citizens.
Mr.
Edwards made recommendations that the offices of elected officials, Superior
Court, Magistrate Court, Probate Court, Correctional Institute or Sheriff’s
Department, needed to start doing a double entry accounting system.
He said that they needed to start managing a general ledger where you
have the required balancing of accounts of assets and liabilities.
Ms.
Meredith Lipscomb also made a recommendation regarding fixed assets.
She said a complete fixed assets report has not been performed by the
County in several years and recommended that this be done periodically in a
timely fashion and records updated on an on-going basis.
They suggested that the county hire some college students during the
summer to perform this complete fixed asset inventory.
Ms.
Garrison stated that we have approximately $46 million in general fixed
assets. She said one reason why she feels it is important to do an
inventory soon, is that under GASB 34 we are going to have to start
depreciating our assets.
Ms.
Lipscomb stated that there are some funds in a bank account for Magistrate
Court that has been there for a while and needs to be disbursed.
She said there should never be any funds left over.
She recommended that Magistrate Court work to determine where these
funds should be disbursed. She
said as of June 30, 2000 approximately $17,000 still remains in this old
account.
Ms.
Lipscomb stated that when looking at the Sheriff’s Narcotics Equipment
Account, it was noted that some of the disbursements had no documentation at
the time we did our fieldwork. She
said this documentation has been provided to them; however, they recommend
employees provide all documentation for expense checks to the Sheriff’s
Department on a timely basis and in an orderly fashion.
Ms.
Lipscomb also recommended that the Sheriff’s Department make bank deposits
on a daily basis. She said they
noticed several instances when doing their fieldwork that the bank deposits
were not being made in a timely manner. It
was also noted that the Inmate Bank Account was not being reconciled to the
bank statements on a monthly basis. She
said that they recommend that the County request of the bank that they
consistently drop the bank statement on the last day of the month and also
contact the contact the software company to discuss its need to obtain past
information from the system.
Ms.
Lipscomb recommended that offices of Elected Officials request that the bank
statements be dropped on the last day of the month in order to obtain a more
accurate month end and year-end cutoff.
Mr.
Edwards commented in conclusion that the financial statements and financial
position in today’s time shows that the county is doing well and should over
the next several months.
2.
Consider approval of Financial Statements for the Two Months Ended
August 31, 2000. Upon motion by
Commissioner Martha McDaniel, seconded by Commissioner Childres Financial
Statements were unanimously approved by a vote of 5-0.
1.
Sonja Garner, General Manager with Insight Communications, is present
to discuss recent cable problems. Ms.
Garner addressed the cable problems that they were experiencing.
She gave several reasons why there were problems being (1) squirrel
chews, (2) power outages to the area, (3) small cracks in the cable (4) water
getting into amplifiers where cable lines are not sealed good and (4) phone
system. She said that customer service seemed to be a real problem
but since the first of the year she had increased her representatives from
three to five and plans to install a new system with more lines and increase
customer service to seven and will continue to hire until she fully staffs her
phones. She said that she knew
there was a problem of people having to hold on the line to get a response and
she does not want that to happen. She
said that she is going to encourage customer contacts and during the year
expects to hold three or four meetings and invite the customers down to meet
the staff. She said that she did
want to be more public friendly. She
said that her company would be reporting daily to the news media of any areas
that they have problems in to keep them informed as to what is happening with
the cable company.
1. Mr. Merl Tant, 1208 West Poplar Street, spoke on public transportation. He said that he is a consumer at the Griffin Area Resource Center. He said for many years the Resource Center has provided daily transportation to the Griffin Workshop at no cost to the participants for their family. The Department of Human Resources (DHR) officially removed this paid support service from the workshop’s contract. He said that we no longer have transportation dollars placed in the total expense of the workshop’s program. From July 1, 1999 to June 30, 2000 the workshop paid for transportation services for participants at a total cost of $30,000. The Resource Center Board and staff informed the participants that effective September 1, 2000 the workshop can no longer provide this service and if we choose to ride the DHR transportation system (Trans Star) we will be responsible for making our own arrangements at a cost of $4/day, $20/week. He said he represents the GARC participants and there are many who cannot afford to pay the $20/week as they are not physically or mentally able to hold down a full-time job. He said that many under this program consider this their lives. He asked if there was any way that the cost could be reduced or even be paid for through another agency so the participants could continue to ride Trans Star.
2.
Mr. Sid Jennette, 1980
Kilgore Road spoke regarding Cherokee Rose.
He presented a copy of a letter he wrote to the Commissioners.
The content of the letter stated that the conclusion was reached after
a minimal amount of research that Cherokee Rose Shooting Resort is legal and
noise is the significant problem. It
further stated that the legality issue is subject to further research and
review; however, he agreed that the problem is noise.
He said that it is a definite nuisance.
He went on to say that the noise level has caused a devaluation of
property within the one and one-half mail radius.
He said that the PRRRD is part of an ordinance and the Board of
Commissioners have the authority and right to change the ordinance to specify
certain things be done. He said
that it is imperative that the Board of Commissioners assume the
responsibility and authority in setting shooting days and hours, specify noise
abatement and buffer configuration and to eliminate Sunday shooting which
seems to be a great concern for the citizens in this area. He asked the Board
to do some research as to shooting resorts in other counties that turns out to
be detrimental to a political subdivision.
3.
Ms. Gail Dean, 1250
Teamon Road, also spoke regarding Cherokee Rose.
She also presented a copy of a letter to the Board of Commissioners.
She stated that the citizens continue to believe that this county does
have a significant stake in this issue and asked them to give serious
consideration to the possibility of purchasing the property, should it be
possible, to establish permanent green space in the county.
She said that Spalding County should be eligible for Governor Barnes’
Greenspace program for funding to purchase.
She said it would be an asset for the County to have a county park in
this area and this Cherokee Rose property would be a perfect place for a park. She suggested until that can happen, which she was told by
Commissioner Martha McDaniel that this is not an option at this time and would
be at least three or four years before the county could even qualify, she
asked them to establish some kind of appropriate standards for the directional
and safety issues of shooting and shot fall zones.
4.
Mr. Tom Dean, 1250
Teamon Road, also spoke regarding Cherokee Rose.
He said that he was representing CUPOR which is the North Spalding
County Citizens United Protecting Our Rights and asked the Commissioners to
take their time in making their decision and study and evaluate all the
aspects of their problem to the point that something will be done that will be
constructive.
5.
Ms. Sonya Garnett, 1061 Teamon Road also spoke regarding Cherokee Rose.
She said the real problem is noise and asked that the Commissioners
help them with the noise.
1.
Consider at second reading an amendment to the Spalding County Code
adding a portion of Richardson Road as a “No Parking Zone”.
Upon
motion by Commissioner Martha McDaniel, seconded by Commissioner Childres the
following Ordinance was approved by a unanimous vote of 5-0.
NO
PARKING ZONE
ORDINANCE NO.
2000-09
AN
ORDINANCE
TO
AMEND THE CODE OF SPALDING COUNTY, GEORGIA, TO PROVIDE FOR NO PARKING ZONES ON
CERTAIN COUNTY ROADS; TO PROVIDE FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES.
BE
IT RESOLVED AND ORDAINED by the Board of Commissioners of Spalding County,
Georgia, as the governing authority of said County, as follows:
Section 1.
That the Code of Spalding County, Georgia, be amended in Part VII,
Chapter 1, Section 7-1004, relating to no parking zones on streets by
inserting new paragraph (30), said new paragraph to read as follows:
“(30) Richardson Road. Upon
any portion of the western one-half and the northern one-half of the roadway
or public right of way of Richardson Road in its entirety.”
Section 2.
The within ordinance shall be and become effective immediately upon its
adoption by the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Board of
Commissioners of Spalding County, Georgia present at two meetings, as provided
in Section 2-1005 of the Code of Spalding County, Georgia; and, upon the
erection of signs as required herein by the public works forces of Spalding
County, Georgia.
Section 3.
All ordinances, or parts of ordinances, in conflict herewith are hereby
repealed.
5.
Consider request from McIntosh Trail Regional Public
Transportation Program for trips provided March – July 2000.
Upon motion by Commissioner Martha McDaniel, seconded by Commissioner
Childres request for payment in the amount of $12,537.60 was unanimously
approved by a vote of 5-0.
1.
Transmit Planning
Commission Report regarding PRRRD Classification to Board of Commissioners.
Chairman Kendall commented that he had spoken with Mr. Dean and he
asked that the discussion by the Board and resolution of the problem be tabled
until next month.
Commissioner Johnie McDaniel
stated if there was no action necessary on the report, he asked that the Board
as a whole extend out commendation to the Planning Commission and all those
people who worked with the Planning Commission to compile the facts and
produce this report. Chairman
Kendall echoed Commissioner Johnie McDaniel’s sentiment.
He said in this particular incident he thinks that the Planning
Commission has worked in practice how he would consider it was designed and
has done a good job with very little compensation.
Mr. Bill Bryant, Chairman of
the Planning Commission was present for the meeting and stated he was
available to answer any questions the Board might like to address.
Since Mr. Dean’s request to
table Chairman Kendall stated that this would not be discussed tonight;
however, he felt that Mr. Bryant and other members of the Planning Commission
should be present when this issue is discussed and they come to some kind of
resolution.
Commissioner Massengale asked
was the purpose of this being on the agenda to accept their report or not to
accept their report.
Chairman Kendall stated that
the purpose of placing this on the agenda was to make some resolution to
Cherokee Rose tonight; however Mr. Dean had asked him not to make any
resolution tonight. Mr. Kendall commented that we could table this or vote to
accept the report of the Planning Commission as it is or just table the whole
item.
Commissioner Massengale made a motion to table
this until the next meeting, which is October 2, 2000.
Commissioner Johnie McDaniel asked for some
clarification as to what we are tabling as we do not need to table this
report. The other Commissioners
agreed. Commissioner Childres
commented that we need to accept the report and authorize our Chairman in
writing to express appreciation to the Planning Commission as a whole on this
report.
Chairman Kendall asked
Commissioner Massengale if he would like to withdraw his motion to table until
October 2, 2000. Commissioner
Massengale answered no. The
motion died for lack of a second.
Commissioner Childres
made a motion to accept the report of the Planning Commission and Chairman
write a letter acknowledging the report and thanking Planning Commission for
the report. Commissioner Martha
McDaniel seconded the motion and motion was unanimously approved by a vote of
5-0.
The Board agreed that disposition to the resolution of the problem to Cherokee Rose be placed on the October 16, 2000 Agenda.
2.
Consider acceptance of
right-of-way deed for Jason’s Ridge and Whitney Lane (Seven Forks
Subdivision). Upon motion by
Commissioner Martha McDaniel, seconded by Commissioner Childres right of way
deed was unanimously approved by a vote of 5-0.
3.
Consider acceptance of
right-of-way deed for Jacqueline Drive (Turtle Tracks Subdivision). Community Development Director Michael Sabine asked that this
item be tabled as bond has not been produced.
Upon motion by Commissioner Martha McDaniel, seconded by Commissioner Childres item no. 3 was tabled until October 2, 2000 by a unanimous vote of 5-0.
4.
Consider adoption of the
2000 Spalding County Tax Levy. Upon
motion by Commissioner Martha McDaniel, seconded by Commissioner Childres the
following 2000 Tax Levy was unanimously approved by a vote of 5-0.
2000 SPALDING
COUNTY TAX LEVY
BE IT RESOLVED
by the Board of Commissioners of Spalding County, Georgia, and it is hereby
resolved by said authority, that there be levied on all property located and
situated in said County on the first day of January 2000, whether said
property be real, or personal, or mixed, the following rates of taxation for
the purposes herein named and that the same be collected by the Tax
Commissioner of said County at the same time and in the same manner as the tax
levied by the State of Georgia, is collected, and when collected that the same
shall be deposited by the Tax Commissioner with the treasurer of Spalding
County, and that the treasurer’s official receipt be taken therefor; to-wit:
1.
To pay the expenses of administration of the county government; 1.13
mills or $1.13
per $1,000.00 of taxable property.
2.
To pay principal and
interest of any debt of the county and to provide sinking fund therefor;
0.33 mills or $0.33 per $1,000.00 of
taxable property.
4.
To build and repair public buildings and bridges; 0.52 mills or $0.52
per $1,000.00 of taxable property.
5.
To pay the expenses of courts, the maintenance and support of inmates
and to pay sheriffs and coroners and for litigation; 4.88 mills or $4.88
per $1,000.00 of taxable property.
6.
To build and maintain a system of county roads; 1.13 mills or $1.13
per $1,000.00 of taxable property.
7.
For public health purposes in said county, and for the collection and
preservation of records of vital statistics; 0.69 mills or $0.69 per $1,000.00 of taxable property.
8.
To pay county police; NO
LEVY
9.
To support indigent individuals; NO
LEVY
10.
To pay agricultural and home demonstration agents; 0.03 mills or $0.03
per $1,000.00 of taxable property.
11.
To provide for payment of old-age assistance to aged persons in need,
and for the payment of assistance to needy blind, and to dependent children
and other welfare benefits, all as provided by the constitution and laws of
Georgia; 0.03 mills or $0.03 per $1,000.00 of
taxable property.
12.
To provide for fire protection for forest lands and for the further
conservation of natural resources; 0.01 mills or $0.01
per $1,000.00 of taxable property.
13.
To provide medical or other care, and hospitalization, for the indigent
sick people of the County; NO
LEVY
14.
To acquire, improve and maintain airports, public parks, and public
libraries; 0.75 mills or $0.75
per $1,000.00 of taxable property.
15.
To provide for worker’s compensation and retirement of pension funds
for officers and employees; 0.08 mills or $0.08
per $1,000.00 or taxable property.
16.
To provide reasonable reserves for public improvements as may be fixed
by law; NO LEVY
17.
To pay pensions and other benefits and costs under a teacher retirement
system or systems; NO LEVY
19.
To provide for ambulance services within the county; NO LEVY
20.
To provide for financial assistance to county or joint county and
municipal development authorities for the purpose of developing trade,
commerce, industry, and employment opportunities; 0.12 mills or $0.12
per $1,000.00 of taxable property.
25.
To provide services and systems for fire protection for Fire Protection
District "A"; 3.08 mills or $3.08
per $1,000.00 upon the taxable property in such fire district.
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that
on recommendation of the Board of Education of Griffin-Spalding County School
System, the following rates of taxation be likewise levied and collected, and
when collected that the same be paid to the Board of Education of said County,
as provided by law, to-wit:
3.
For education purposes, as provided by the Constitution and laws of
Georgia; 19.57
mills or $19.57
per $1,000.00 of taxable
property.
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that
this order be spread upon the minutes and that the same be advertised and
posted in accordance with Section 48-5-232 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated (1982) and the pertinent laws of Georgia.
This
the 18th day of September 2000.
M. Michael Kendall, Chairman
Martha W. McDaniel, Commissioner
H. Merrill Massengale, Commissioner
Earle Childres, Commissioner
Johnie A. McDaniel, Commissioner
5.
Consider Supplemental
Agreement for Mud Bridge Road in the amount of $5,425.00 (Wolverton &
Assoc.) Upon motion by
Commissioner Childres, seconded by Commissioner Martha McDaniel Supplemental
Agreement was unanimously approved by a vote of 5-0.
6.
Consider Supplemental
Agreement for SR 16-Arthur K. Bolton Parkway, for Geotechnical Studies in the
amount of $76,288 (United Consulting) Upon motion by Commissioner Childres,
seconded by Commissioner Martha McDaniel Supplemental Agreement was
unanimously approved by a vote of 5-0.
7.
Consideration of request
from HDR/W L Jorden regarding the paving of Johnson Road/Johnson Road
Extension. The request is to move
them out of line of the County’s paving priorities and pave the road
immediately.
Motion
made by Commissioner Childres to approve request.
Commissioner Massengale seconded the motion.
After discussion regarding the County’s paving priority list and
having to move them up the line, Commissioner Childres withdrew his motion as
well as Commissioner Massengale his second.
Upon motion by Commissioner Martha McDaniel, seconded by Commissioner Childres the request was unanimously denied by a vote of 5-0.
8.
Consideration of Change
Order No. 2 for new Correctional Institution in the amount of $10,277.
Upon motion by Commissioner Martha McDaniel, seconded by Commissioner
Childres Change Order No. 2 (IPG & Hollis & Spann, Inc.) was
unanimously approved by a vote of 5-0.
9.
Consider request for
traffic signal for Birdie Road/SR 3 Intersection from Department of
Transportation. Upon motion by
Commissioner Martha McDaniel, seconded by Commissioner Massengale request for
traffic signal was unanimously approved by a vote of 5-0.
Deputy County Manager Wilson commented that he wanted to make the Board
aware that a traffic signal has not been approved as of yet but if it is
approved, this will speed the process up.
10.
Consider Resolution
authorizing participation in the Section 5311 rural and small urban public
transportation program for 2001 calendar year. Motion made by Commissioner Martha McDaniel to table this
item. County Manager Ruffin made
the Board aware that staff is re-examining the regional versus independent
county public transportation and determining what way would be the most
effective for us. He said that a
decision would have to be made before the end of the month and would require a
special meeting. Commissioner
Martha McDaniel commented that she was not prepared to make a decision on this
issue tonight. She reiterated her motion to table and amended her motion for
item to be placed on the September 28, 2000 Zoning Public Hearing Agenda,
followed by a seconded by Commissioner Childres.
Motion to table was unanimously approved by a vote of 5-0.
11.
Elect voting delegate
for the 2000 ACCG/GMA Fall Policy Conference Business Session.
Motion made by Commissioner Childres to elect Commissioner Martha
McDaniel, seconded by Commissioner Kendall and unanimously approved by a vote
of 5-0.
County Manager Ruffin stated that he had received a letter from the Chamber of Commerce stating that they are going to offer the County Manager full membership into the Chamber, which will allow any employees, or Commissioners can join at a reduced cost from $180 to $100. He said that he was already a member and suggested that we designate whoever is the current Chairperson on the Board to be the Chamber member and this will give all other present members and future members a break on the cost of their membership.
County Manager Ruffin commented that New Years Eve falls on a Sunday this year and the Board members may be getting calls regarding opening and serving alcoholic beverages on this day. He said that under the present code, they cannot open up and sell on Sunday. He said that he has already received an inquiry from Country Rock regarding this. He said that the Board would have to make some amendment to the code in order for businesses to open up and sell.
Commissioner
Massengale had no comments.
Commissioner
Johnie McDaniel commented he had two things to mention for future discussion. One was since we will possibly be placed in the
non-attainment zone, he would like to open a discussion as whether it would be
advantageous for our county to join the ARC and exit McIntosh Trail.
He thinks that it is time to revisit this issue.
The Board members agreed with him with all the happenings going on with
commuter rail, etc.
Mr.
McDaniel asked staff to study and come back with some recommendations as to
what advantages there would be and some good substantiation for making a move.
Commissioner
Kendall commented that if Mr. McDaniel had no pre-disposition as to the
outcome he was wanting, that you look at RDC situation and see which RDC it
make more sense for Spalding County to be in now and for the future.
He said that if you are going to task these individuals that you are
looking at it from an objective standpoint and you look at the over-all
situation.
Commissioner
Martha McDaniel made a suggestion that once we get the report from staff, that
we have an hour-long workshop to discuss this among ourselves.
Mr. McDaniel had no problems with her suggestion.
Commissioner
Johnie McDaniel asked staff to have a report by November 1, 2000 as to the
present and future needs of Spalding County.
Commissioner
Johnie McDaniel invited all the Commissioners to take a ride out Macon Road
and visit a new development, DeerCreek Subdivision.
He said that it is one of the few cluster developments that we have and
it really leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
He asked Planning Staff to take a look as it may be time to either
develop a specific ordinance for that type of development or take out the
capability of this type of development until such time we become more an urban
type community.
Commissioner
Martha McDaniel commented in view of the report that came back from Planning
Commission regarding the responsibility of noise ordinances by the County, she
asked that County Attorney Fortune examine the current Noise Ordinance in
reference to Cherokee Rose.
Commissioner
Childres had no comments.
Commissioner
Kendall asked Planning Commission or staff to find out what other communities
are doing with this kind of shooting resorts.
He said the two uses out there at present are totally incompatible.
Commissioner
Kendall reiterated some points about the Hospital Authority and grant
requests. He said there is a lot
of money changing hands over at the Hospital Authority and how it changes
hands has a lot to do with the way some things are going to happen with some
very significant programs in the community.
He said that some decisions have been made that he certainly would not
have made. He said that they have
made long-term commitments to give away millions of dollars and that is
something that the county commission needs to have input in.
He said that we need to look very closely at the appointments we make
to this Authority. Commissioner
Kendall commented that the Authority has made a commitment of $400,000 to pay
for the construction of a building over a three year period provided this
organization comes up with some other funding.
Upon motion by Commissioner
Childres, seconded by Commissioner Martha McDaniel the meeting was unanimously
adjourned.
County Clerk/County Manager
Chairman
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