The Commission attended mandatory training in Atlanta. The meeting ended with a legislative update from the Speaker of the House, the Lt. Governor and Governor Deal himself. The focus was on jobs. The training classes focused on advanced county law, LOST/SPLOST negotiations and property tax assessment, appeal and delinquent tax processing.
Many of the over 300 commissioners in attendance were seeing the same challenges that Brantley County has seen with the downturn of the economy. A constant theme among speakers centered on a slight up-tick in the economy but ended with the fact that all political entities from the State of Georgia to the County Commissions are faced with the reality of having to do more with less. No government entity will have the opportunity to go back to the "way things used to be". Every society and economy reaches a point of true fundamental change. Georgia has reached that point. We have two choices. Embrace the challenge, make the changes that have to be made and create a new Georgia that is more efficient and better suited to create a job friendly environment, or try to apply the policies and strategies of the past that created the current challenges. The choice is obvious! Onward and upward!
Friday, February 3, 2012
County Commission Attends Training
Last Year - This Year
All the paperwork is coming to a close on 2011 and the final numbers are in. In the paper for the week of Jan 23, the final numbers are posted for every revenue source for the General Fund and every expense from that General Fund. Total Revenue was above budget and Total Expenses were below budget. That is the way it should be. This is the second year in a row that Brantley County has finished the year without having to borrow money to make payroll. This is not to say that we are "debt free". I've used that term before and some have taken me to task. Yes the County has routine equipment debt for dump trucks, road graders, police cars and other vehicles. This is normal capital debt for equipment which is very different from the $3.2 million operating debt that the County had when this team took office in 2009. That operating debt is no more!
Now for the path forward. The best thing that the County, school board, the Ctate and federal governments can do is find ways to lower the burden on all property owners. Now that the operating debt is fully retired, the County commission is free to focus on Brantley County's future. And that is already underway. You see with a healthy and functioning organization, those in charge of day to day operations manage that function. And those in charge of strategy and budgets manage that function. And when you have a sound vision and solid communications between those groups, you make the kind of progress that Brantley County has made these last three years. With everyone's hard work and the good Lord's continues blessing, we'll continue to make progress.
Thanks to all the Elected Officials, Department Heads and the staff for reaching these milestones. A wise man once said... plan your work, work your plan, savor the victory and start all over........
Ronald E. "Ron" Ham
Chairman - Brantley County Commission.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Brantley County Commission January 2012 Regular Meeting
The Brantley County Commission handled a ½ dozen items in their first regular meeting in 2012. Mr. Don Aycock spoke to the Commission regarding the Senior Citizen Tax situation. He encouraged the Commission to approve the item on the agenda and to install microphones so that seniors could hear the Commissioners while they were conducting the County’s business. Others in the crowd dittoed those comments. The Chairman explained that previous requests had been heeded and that equipment was being researched that could work with the older system. He also explained that changes had to be run by the Superior Court Judges that is the steward over the courtroom. But he/they are usually accommodating.
The consent agenda was modified and then approved by the Commission unanimously. Those items included:
• Adopting the resolution recommending the State reinstate aviation funding
• Adopting the resolution approving the depository of County funds for Constitutional Officers
• Approving the master services agreement for civil engineering services with Roberts Civil Engineering
• Appointing Calvin Taylor to the Tax Assessors Board to Replace Angela Hicks
• Approving the Audit Engagement Agreement with BYRT, CPAs for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013
• Appointing Gary Crawford of the Mt. Calvary area to the Brantley County Airport Authority
The first item on the regular agenda was the continued discussion regarding the Georgia Department of Transportation (GaDOT) requested resolution around speed limits on local State and County roadways. County Manager explained that he had worked with GaDOT and was clearing up a number of inconsistencies in the resolution. The Commission approved the Chairman executing the resolution once the modifications were complete.
The Commission next discussed possibly forgiving the interest and penalties for those demonstrating hardship cases to the Tax Commissioner and working out payment plans with her. Based on the law, on the 90th day that taxes are past due, a 10% penalty of the outstanding balance is added. Interest is also calculated on outstanding sums. If the payment plan is more than 6 months, the penalty automatically applies on the outstanding balance. The Commission reviewed a resolution provided by the County attorney that provided an application process for those hardship cases to complete requesting the Commission waive interest and penalties as long as the contract terms were completed on time. The Chairman requested the resolution be modified to include the interest. It was and was then approved unanimously by the Commission.
The Commission reviewed a proposal to set the qualifying fees for the 2012 election at 3% of the base salary of the position. A schedule of individual fees was provided for the Commissioner’s review. The fees were approved by the Commission.
A letter from the Brantley County Historical Society was reviewed. They requested the use of the old Hoboken voting precinct building which is no longer used and in need of significant repair. The Commission approved the Historical Society’s use of the old building as long as they paid to have it moved.
There being no further business before the board, the meeting was adjourned.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Brantley County Commission January 2012 Work Session
The first item on the agenda was the continued discussion regarding the Georgia Department of Transportation (GaDOT) requested resolution around speed limits on local State and county roadways. The Chairman explained that in discussions with GaDOT the County manager had learned that the speed limits provided were those that were on record at the GaDOT offices. Some state roads have changes proposed, but all local roadways are listed with what GaDOT has on file. The Commission instructed the County manager to update the list and to get proposed changes from Commissioners on the State highway modifications and have that ready for review Thursday night’s regular agenda.
The County attorney presented the changes that were made to the Suttles and Associates architectural contract for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project for the Mental Health facility that is to be built near the Brantley County DFACS and Head Start facilities. The commission had already provided the Chairman with permission via a vote in the December meeting. As soon as the contracts are finalized, they will be executed.
The Commission reviewed the resolution from the airport authority requesting that the state reinstate the statewide funding for airports in rural communities. After some discussion the Commission placed the item on the consent agenda but told Airport Authority Chairman Billy Lee that he shouldn’t sit by the phone. The State has severe money problems with expected shortages for this year in excess of $270 million in the budget.
The Commission also placed an item on the consent agenda that allowed Constitutional Officers to use the Heritage Bank as an official depository of County Funds. An item in the audit of the county books in 2011 pointed out the need for a member of the Commission staff (the County Manager or Clerk) to be listed as a signatory on the accounts in the event you have Constitutional Officers transition out of office. The County Manager volunteered to work with the Constitutional Officers on this audit item.
All county files have been transferred from Golden Isles Engineering to Robert’s Civil Engineering in the event assistance is needed as GIEC has moved offices and will no longer be able to service Brantley County. A master services agreement was added to the consent agenda in the event any help is needed with any of these items.
The Commissioners heard a request from the Board of Tax Assessors. One of their members has resigned. So the Commission placed an item on consent agenda to appoint Calvin Taylor to that board.
While Mr. Billy Lee had the floor he also presented the Commission with a possible appointment to the Airport Authority. Mr. Ricky Raleigh is a pilot, has a plane and has contracted with the Airport Authority to build the first hanger consistent with the master plan that has been developed for the airport. Where Mr. Raleigh and his family own a home just south of the airport, their residency came into question in the meeting. The Commission discussed the balance of airport knowledge and participation with residency. The County attorney was asked to review the defining legislation for the Airport Authority to see what the stipulation was on residency. This item was placed on the regular agenda.
The commission reviewed a request from Nahunta Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) to place excess 2011 funds in the Dounty “capital outlay” account. All VFD funds are collected by the county and placed in individual VFD checking accounts consistent with state law as those funds cannot be mixed with general fund or other monies. In the discussion the Clerk explained that the intention for the request may have been to have 2011 funds listed in the 2012 budget. In the past the Commission has approved these funds on a purchase by purchase basis. No action was taken.
The commission placed an item on the consent agenda to approve the 2012 Indigent Defense Agreement.
The final invoices are in for the Buster Walker Road. The Commission expressed concern over the workmanship on a few places along that road. The County Manager and some Commissioners have met with engineers and members of GaDOT on the road. Where there are some rough spots, GaDOT has approved the road for their portion of the payment as Ricketson Construction met the minimum GaDOT construction standards. The Commission asked the County manager to meet with Ricketson Construction and get a couple of Commissioners involved to ride the road and compare Waynesville with Buster Walker while the contractor is in the vehicle.
The Commission placed an item on the consent agenda to approve the Audit Engagement Letter with BYRT CPAs that had been reviewed and approved by the county attorney. Work closing the 2011 books is already under way.
The Commission discussed that interest and penalties for homestead seniors that were demonstrating hardship cases to the Tax Commissioner and working out payment plans. Based on the law, on the 90th day that taxes are past due, a 10% penalty of the outstanding balance is added. So if a senior homestead owner presented a hardship case and was allowed a 6 month payment plan, the penalty in the 3rd month could wipe out a significant portion of the payments they had made. The Commission generally agreed that as long as all payments were being made on time that the penalty should not be charged. The county attorney was asked to meet with the Tax Commissioner and put together a frame work for Thursday night’s meeting. This item was placed on the regular agenda.
Senator William Ligon Town Hall Meeting
The City Councils of Hoboken and Nahunta, along with representatives of the County Commission and Board of Education were in attendance at the Town Hall meeting set up for Senator William Ligon. During the meeting, the different groups discussed needs to tax reform, support for industrial development within the cities and counties and the like. The Hoboken delegation requested some assistance with a waver on GaDOT regulations for some inner city streets. With homes over the decades built very close to city streets, it makes it impossible for the Cities to acquire DOT funding for much needed paving and resurfacing projects. The group also discusses challenges with inter basin transfers for water. We have plenty of water in south Georgia but there are perceptions that north Georgia will eventually tap into our water sources for their needs. The team would prefer that they send those businesses south instead of sending the water North. The Senator discussed last years tax reform package and how it attempted to broaden the tax base and shift Georgia away from an income tax and more toward a consumption tax. This broadens the base to include those working in the "cash" or "underground" economy who ONLY pay sales tax. That number is staggering and is growing every year. Many states have made this migration and Georgia has to compete with them for industry and jobs.
Dr. Read Carter, financial director for the Brantley County Board of Education was in attendance and took the Senator to tasks for the $1.6 million in state funding that he claimed was stripped from Brantley County this year. He spoke to the recent debates around a senior citizen tax exemption and explained that they were working on a resolution for the board of education's consideration. He admitted that the BOE needed to help those that needed help. Senator Ligon explained that the state budget is made up of 56% education and 35% medicaid. That is 91%. So if those two are excluded, that leaves 8% of the budget to manage debt and deficits. The state has a $791 million debt to the federal government for shortfalls in previous years. The interest only payment on that this year was $27 million. Dr. Carter challenged the Senator in that revenues had increased at the State level and questioned why that money was not being assigned to education. Senator Ligon explained that where revenues were up this year with increases in the 91% mentioned above, the State originally foretasted to have a $1 billion shortfall in the budget. The increase in revenues will help offset the increases, but will still leave a $270 million deficit this year. He went on to say that he doesn't support and expects no more cuts in education. But stated that the state, counties and schools are gong to have to continue to find creative ways to be conservative just as the families are in these lean times. The Chairman explained that in a statewide comparison using last year's 13.53 millage rate, Brantley County schools were 7th from the bottom in total per student school funding. Senator Ligon explained that the increase in revenues at the state level is a good sign.
The QBE equation for how school funding is allocated across the state was discussed. The Senator mentioned an issue in McIntosh county where inflated property values had caused the equalization money (75% match that the State gives each county for every local tax dollar above 5 mills) to be reduced. He explained that the same could be true in Brantley. The challenge is that all real estate values across the state have fallen so this is a daunting task. The law suit brought on by former School Superintendent Al Hunter never reached any successful conclusion.
The meeting lasted about 90 minutes, much like the meeting last week with Representative Chad Nimmer. Working with the State officials to define priorities and maintain lines of communication is just more evidence that the leadership team in Brantley County is working to make things better.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Representative Chad Nimmer visits Brantley County
Representative Chad Nimmer came to Brantley County on December 12th to meet with local elected officials to establish legislative priorities for the upcoming 2012 State Congressional session. Most of the Hoboken and Nahunta City Council members (current and/or elect) were in attendance with all but one of the County Commissioners and some Constitutional Officers and staff.
In the meeting the group talked about many items that they would like to see Representative Nimmer to fight for or against in the next session. The City of Nahunta discussed a water tower and possible assistance with other municipal water system improvements. The City of Hoboken discussed ways to bring industry to Brantley County. The group discussed the need for the State to revisit school funding and equalization changes to move the much needed support to the rural schools. The Board of Education was meeting and was unable to attend. But in their absence the group still reminded the Representative that while everyone understands the requirement of prioritization when funds are limited, education has to be a priority. Representative Nimmer explained that recently the State made a payment of $27 million to the government on a $700 million loan. The state has to work on a plan to continue critical services while paying off debt. Sound familiar?
The County Commission also discussed ways to entice industry to Brantley County. One project that was discussed was a joint natural gas pipeline grant application with Glynn County. The Industrial Development Authority has reported that many industries that are
seeking rural industrial sites today require the less expensive fuels like natural gas. Brantley County has 4 lane highway access, CSX rail spur access, Interstates within 20 miles, one port within 25 miles, two other ports within 100 miles, thousands of acres of
available property and many other attractive assets. With the addition of Natural Gas, the county would qualify for many new potential industrial candidates that look beyond Brantley now. The commission also discussed water rights and the proposed legislation to limit transfers between aquifers.
The meeting started with Representative Nimmer explaining to the group some of the items that he expects to see this year. There will likely be some sales tax legislation. Much was attempted last year but failed to get sufficient support. With the election coming in 2012, there was some concern that not much will get accomplished this year.
Meetings of this nature are scheduled with Senator William Ligon for December 20th as well.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Brantley County Commission December 2011 Regular Meeting
The Commission was again visited by Mrs. Dorothy Bolden and a group of 160 Senior Citizens, a group 8 times the number that attended the Board of Education meetings the previous night. The group came again requesting Board of Education Tax Exemption for homestead residential properties owned by citizens 65 or older. Two members of the Board of Education were in attendance again, Dot Hickox and Theresa Lairsey. Mrs. Bolden again came forward requesting immediate action in the form of a binding referendum for an exemption from school taxes that could be placed on the ballot in the spring of 2012. Henry Aldridge and others got up to speak on the topic as well.
The Commission approved minutes of the November 2011 meeting and a number of items on the consent agenda. These included:
1. An item to appoint Commissioner Greg O’Quinn for another year as vice-chairman
2. An item for the continuance of 911 landline fees at $1.50 per month
3. An item for the continuance of 911 wireless phone fees at $1.50 per month.
4. An item to reappoint Dean Strickland for 2012 as the County attorney.
The first item on the regular agenda included a motion to rescind a resolution establishing a minimum acreage for conservation that the Commission had approved in April of 2011. The tax Assessor’s Board sent a letter to the Commission asking for the action to rescind the resolution as it was actually eliminating the opportunity for some tax payers to file for conservation. By rescinding the resolution all property owners can file using the same state guidelines that everyone else uses. The board passed the motion.
While Mr. Billy Lee had the floor, he also discussed a proposal from the Airport Authority asking the Commission to send a letter to the State asking for the State to reinstate the Aviation funding statewide. The Commission, having not seen the letter or the resolution, decided to review it and place the item on the January agenda.
The Commission voted and approved keeping the Southeastern Bank as the official depository. Requests for proposals went out to the local banks and Southeastern was the only bank to respond.
The Commission discussed the speed limit ordinance as proposed by the Georgia Department of Transportation (GADOT). There was confusion in the information provided by GaDOT as the County Manager had received one input from one member of DOT and some Commissioners had received other inputs. The County attorney and County manager will clarify this with GaDOT and this was placed on the January agenda.
The Commission approved a motion to have the County attorney work with the architects with Suttles & Associates to resolve a couple of points in the proposed contract and empowered the Chairman to execute the agreement once a resolution was reached that met with the county attorney’s approval.
The Commission approved a resolution certifying the SPLOST Election Results for the state.
The Commission also approved a motion naming the new Atkinson Boat Ramp Ava Strickland Lightsey Public Boat Ramp.
The Commission also approved a motion allowing the County manager to move funds between budgets for the Clerk of Superior Court, Cindy Crews. Since the County has held more court than budgeted, the Clerk is moving unused funds from one budget line item to another. Since some funds may have to cross department lines, the Commission had to approve the move. This was not an increase in overall budget. This was just a movement between line items for housekeeping.
The Commission also approved the acquisition of right of way (ROW) for the Caney Bay bridge replacement project.
The Commission discussed the BOE Tax Exemption for homestead properties of senior citizens. The Chairman explained that in discussions with Board of Education Members and staff they voted and instructed the Superintendent and attorney to work with the staff, draft a resolution and bring that to the January meeting for a vote. Commissioner Edgy moved to create a resolution for a binding referendum allowing for a BOE Tax exemption of 50% for all homestead parcels owned by persons over age 65 and 100% exemption for senior homestead parcels where the owner is over 70. He added that any home with an income over $100,000, any home with a commercial business in it and any home owned less than 5 years by the senior(s) would get no exemption. Commissioner Harris seconded the motion.
During discussion it was clarified that the form of validation of household income would be the Federal Income Tax Forms for all senior citizens. Many in the audience objected because they did not have to file income taxes as seniors are not required or felt that their income was not the County’s business. In further discussion the definition of what constituted commercial property was attempted after several minutes of discussion and debate, Commissioner Edgy finally withdrew that portion of the motion.
Commissioner Hendrix explained that he supported helping those making the hard choices but felt that the BOE should be the body dealing with this. And since they had voted to do that, the Commission needed to give them time to do this. Should they choose not to deal with it, he stood ready to revisit the item.
In discussion the Chairman expressed concerns over the approach as well. The percentage approach rewards those with more expensive properties and penalizes those with less expensive properties. Plus the income verification component is going to force all 1,000 plus senior homestead property owners to provide some standardized form of income proof which the Tax Assessor’s Office will struggle to verify. And as income changes it will be up to the property owner to inform the county of a change of income level. Finally with this approach there is no accurate way to measure the exact impact of this exemption.
The Chairman went into detail explaining the way the tax bill process works and the existing credits that most seniors could qualify for that would get them a $10,000 credit or a $185 deduction on their BOE tax bill. The Chairman prefers a proposal adding an additional $25,000 local taxable property value credit for homestead seniors 65 and older who have owned their property for more than 5 years. This would give all senior homestead residential property owners a tax bill reduction of up to $463 and would cost $225,061 or less than one (1) BOE mill. In fact in a comparison of the two approaches (attached), any home with a total value of $150,000 or less would get a LARGER credit under the Chairman’s proposal using a per parcel credit than the percentage approach.
When this first came up the discussion was about helping those not buying medicine, paying their light bill or buying groceries so that they could pay taxes. When the vote was taken Commissioners Edgy and Harris voted in favor of the motion and Commissioners O’Quinn and Hendrix opposed the motion and the Chairman voted no so the motion failed for now. The Chairman explained that should the BOE vote to not take this item up, he would personally bring the item back to the table. He also explained that placing too large of a referendum on the ballot would not help anyone and would force the issue to remain silent for at least a year or more before it could come back up.
The Chairman thanked the Board members for their keeping the discussion civil and on topic. Where these were hard discussions, the Commission was respectful of one another and of the seniors that were in attendance and the meeting.
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