Commission Work Session Yields Update from Tax Assessor

In this month’s Commission Work Session a baker’s dozen of items were reviewed and assigned to the February Regular Meeting agenda.

The highlight was an update from Brantley County Chief Tax Appraiser, Doug Miles, where he reviewed the current GIS mapping project status, current Tax Appeal log and status and the timeline for the 2010 Tax Digest.

The Chief Appraiser explained that there were about 4,383 tax parcels that needed to be mapped. The contractor has worked through about ½ of the 1,144 “split” tracks. There are 3,239 subdivision lots that need to be mapped that will be started on soon. Since AutoCad files are available for many of the larger subdivisions, Billy Lee, Tax Assessor Board Member, felt that these plats would move more quickly than the splits.

The Chief Appraiser presented the Commission with an itemized backlog of 191 Tax Appeals that are yet to be handled. This list can be found on the left margin of this page under the heading “Outstanding Tax Appeals”. If you have an appeal and it is not scheduled, please call the Tax Assessor’s office and make an appointment. The number and email address can be found on the right hand margin of this page.
Mr. Miles also outlined the timeline for the 2010 digest. The information provided puts the delivery of the digest on or before July 1, 2010 to the Brantley County Tax Commissioner.

Other items covered in the meeting included the Board of Education – Assessment and Collection of Tax for School Bond Purposes. This is routine for the County to approve the School Bond. Board of Education attorney, Bruce Walker, will attend the Regular Meeting next Tuesday to review this with the Commission. A copy of all the paperwork has already been delivered to the County Attorney.

A Public Event Permit Ordinance was discussed. The Commission reviewed some neighboring ordinances that allow for a permit/event fee that would provide a vehicle for the County to recover expenses that come about as a result of some of the larger events that take place in the County. When large events take place that bring hundreds or thousands of patrons to a location, the County has to assign EMS, Fire, Police, etc to the event to ensure the safety of the patrons. Plus, many times after the event, the road department is called in to make repairs. Both an event fee and a per ticket alternative were discussed. The document provided will be reviewed and discussed at the Regular Meeting.

The name of Matt Williams was presented to fill the vacancy on the Recreation Board. Mr. Hagin from the West end had previously expressed interest, but wanted to meet with the existing Recreation Board. The Board was unsure if that has taken place or not. The County Manager will attempt to contact Mr. Hagin and find out his interest and make a recommendation at the Regular Meeting.

The Board agreed to put the Annual Memorandum of Understanding between Brantley County and the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service on the consent agenda. The discussion of Agent Bob Boland pursued. The Chairman explained that Brantley County had always supplemented the County Agent’s salary by $1000 per month. When he retired last year, the County budgeted to continue supplementing his salary and have the County Agent support the farmers part time, three days per week.

The reappointment of Angela Hicks and Christine Proctor to the Tax Assessor’s Board was placed on the Regular Agenda.

The Walking Track at the Schlatterville Recreation Park was discussed. The County Manager will take over this project and work with County Engineer, Ray Richard, to attempt to complete this process. The Board had already approved the use of the $9000 that is in the Capital Account designated specifically for the Schlatterville Park.

In the County Manager’s Update the following items were discussed:
1. The Record Building (former Chamber Building) is almost complete and some records are already being stored there. The goal is to clean out the hall in the Courthouse.
2. Bids are being acquired for the carpet replacement in the courtroom, as there is a serious trip hazard in a couple of places. More will be available at the Regular Meeting.
3. The open positions that the County has are closing on the 8th of February. Any interested party should stop by the County Office and fill out an application and leave a resume on or before that date.
4. The Warner’s Landing road project is on hold, as the road is under water. Once the water recedes, the County will see where the road is failing and use the fabric, surge stone and other materials that are standing by to make these repairs. With these improvements, the road will either not fail, or fail in a different location the next time the river comes up.
5. The County has been approved for a $50,000 grant toward the price of the new road grader. The balance will be financed with better terms than the County has seen in the past. There will be a public hearing next week, prior to the Regular Meeting, to advertise the fact that the County will be using USDA.
6. The Commission was notified that Sheriff Robert Thomas brought in $59,000 in January for jail boarding fees. It was asked if this included multiple months and the answer was that $6000-$7000 might have been for December, but that was all. This is a real blessing.

The Commission placed an item on the Consent Agenda to ask engineer Ray Richard to review the cost of a turn lane on Highway 82 in Waynesville. When Commissioners Ham and Edgy met with DOT Commissioner Vance Smith last fall, this was one of the items discussed. With the business growth on Highway 82 on the east side of Waynesville, there is increased traffic in this area that is enticing individuals to drive through the median, creating an unsafe condition. For this reason, the County would like to review the possibility of working with the State to install a turn lane between Bennett’s Pharmacy and Bare Butts BBQ.

Commission Called Meeting for Recreation Park

In the public participation section of the meeting, Airport Authority Leader Mary Gibson reported the group had advertised and interviewed for a new Engineering firm. They have settled on the Croy Engineering group out of Atlanta. The LPA group and Bonding agent are dedicated to work through the issues and complete the airport.

The primary reason for the meeting was to review the bids for Phase IIIA and IIIB of the Recreation Park Project. Phase IIIA includes concrete work for sidewalks, handicap parking spots, etc. Golden Isles Engineering was in attendance to review the bid specifications and the results. The low bidder, TRH Construction Company, was awarded the bid for $86,982. The contracts will be drawn up and approved by legal prior to execution. Phase IIIB includes fencing for the fields with heavy gauge fence, proper grounding and realignment of the existing entrance to align it with the center line of the parking lot. Perimeter Fence and Deck was awarded the bid as the low bidder at $83,020. All funds for this will be paid from the Recreation SPLOST. County Manager, Parrish Barwick, gave a report on existing funds in the Recreation SPLOST account. There is currently $283,005 in that account. With approximately $6,000 coming in each month, there will be sufficient funds to complete these phases of the Recreation Park as they are completed.

In this meeting the Commission also approved presented Right of Way documents for Buster Walker Road.

Commission Approves $1.5 million in Operating Loan

In the first Regular Meeting of the Brantley County Commission this week, they managed some 20 odd items in a little over 90 minutes, setting what is hoped to be a new precedence in the efficiency of their monthly meetings. During the meeting, the minutes for meetings in November and December 2009 were approved. The Board also approved a resolution provided by Bond Counsel and Sun trust Bank for Tax Anticipation Note (TAN) for $1.5 million, to make sure the County has enough operating funds to get through 2010. This note is less than ½ of the funds borrowed last year to get through 2009, and was constructed in an manner so that the County can “draw down” funds as needed and pay interest only on those funds that are put to use. This will save thousands in interest that were unnecessarily paid last year.

On the consent agenda the following items were approved with a single 4-0 vote:

· Reappointed Charlie Summerlin Vice-Chairman of the Board.

· Reappointed Robby Thomas and Eddie Alligood to the Development Authority and appointed Mary Gibson to finish the final year of a vacant position on that board.

· Adopted the resolution so that 911 and E911 fees could be collected.

· Approved the Indigent Defense Agreement (Public Defender).

· Approved the Recreations Department funding concession holders from concession proceeds and not the general fund.

· Approved writing off of 2004 and 2005 EMS bad debt totaling $311,254.03

· Approved cost of living increases of 3% for all County employees, effective on the next pay period.

· Approved the agreement with Advanced Disposal to collect and dispose of the County’s solid waste, pending final approval of the last changes by County Attorney Tom Lee.

· Approved Appointment of Charlie Summerlin to the Local Health Board.

On the regular Agenda, the Board approved the recording of Mr. Ryker Carter’s plat, since he had entered into a formal agreement with the Tax Commissioner to get the back taxes paid on that property.

Commissioners heard a motion from Commissioner Greg O’Quinn to go out for bids for legal services for the County. Commissioner O’Quinn provided an analysis in the work session that demonstrated 2009 legal service fees totaling over $60,000, where the previous 4 years had averaged $23,000 to $25,000. His desire was to go out for bids and see if more economical legal services were available, given that every other conversation the County has is about saving money. His motion dies for lack of a second. Afterward, Commissioner Edgy moved to reappoint Tom Lee as County Attorney. The motion passes 3-1 with Mr. O’Quinn voting against the motion.

The Chairman explained that if the Board wanted to move from the South Georgia RDC to Coastal, they would need to prepare a letter to the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) requesting this action. If that is declined, the Board could then lobby the State legislators to enter legislation to move Brantley to the Coastal RDC. The County Clerk will prepare a letter for the Chairman to sign to the DCA.

The bids to reroof the courthouse were opened and the bid was awarded to Brantley Roofing for $20,950, with an optional $1.30 per square foot for any plywood or sub-roof that needs to be replaced. This construction will take place in February.

The Commission discussed the Mobile Home section of the County Construction Ordinance next. The Chairman suggested that the Commissioners remove subsection 8 of section 410 that pertained to campers. Commissioner Summerlin made that motion, which passed 3 to 0, with Commissioner Edgy abstaining. The Commission further asked County Manager Parrish Barwick to work with the Planning Commission to finalize the RV, RV Park & Mobile Home Park Ordinance that was initiated last fall. The goal would be to bring that ordinance through the process, allowing public hearings to take place, which would allow citizens to voice their opinions. This process should take place in parallel with the Future Land Use Technical Advisory Committee (FLUTAC) meetings, which will provide the basic outline for the County’s first pass at zoning.

A presentation was made by Mrs. Parks of the Regional Health Department on the Wellness Center that prematurely began to move into the County’s Health Department Building. The presentation explained that their clients were primarily HIV positive and Hepatitis A-B positive patients and there were other aspects of the program that would benefit the County during the two days per week that they would occupy the building. The Commissioners voted to not allow the move at this time and asked for some questions to be reviewed and answered and for perhaps a different program, such as prenatal care or one more children-driven to be proposed for that facility. The desire was to have something that more Brantley County citizens could utilize.

The Board heard from a number of residents on Paloma Street that did not want any speed deterrent devices to be installed. The Board took no action other than to refer the matter to the Sheriff. The County Manager had prepared some numbers, but all the devices that he had reviewed would have been extremely expensive. One citizen spoke up and was even confused as to why parts of that street have a speed limit of 20 MPH. No action was taken on this item.

Commissioner Edgy proposed a resolution for the Board regarding the coal fired power plant that has been permitted for Ben Hill County. The Satilla River Keeper, John Carswell, and their attorneys, had prepared the resolution for the Board's review. Basically, they state concerns over mercury and other contaminants coming from the Coal Fired Plant via the Satilla River. In the resolution, they supported their using biomass and other green technologies that displace coal. The Board adopted the resolution.

The Commission adopted a resolution setting the qualifying fees for those choosing to run for office at 3% of the base annual pay.

Mary Gibson reported that Folsom Industries had unofficially notified her that they will be closing their doors. One of the principal agents of that business passed away. Alternative arrangements for completion of the airport are under development. The airport will be completed in coming months as originally planned.

Ronald E. Ham
Chairman – Brantley County Commission


BTC Video by Robby Thomas

County Road Meeting Updates

The County’s monthly road meeting provided updates on all current and near future construction projects.

First, those in attendance were updated on the Recreation Park and Baker Creek Road Paving. Now that the holidays are behind us, work is back in full swing. Some contractors missed very little time through the holidays as they are being paid by contract. Phase #1 of the Recreation Park is almost complete. Phase #2 the final grading, drainage, irrigation, etc is under way. Managing the two contractors on the property has been a challenge, but the team is working through it. Phase #3 will include concrete work and fencing for the first four fields. The parking lots will be managed separately. There is talk of using some of the crushed asphalt that the County has contracted to purchase from the 301 resurfacing project that will hopefully soon get under way. The Baker Creek Road project is waiting for the foundation to solidify enough to pass the compaction test. One small section of the road will have to be reworked, but that should not cause much of a delay.

The Waynesville Road right of way clearing is well under way. The three property owners have been located on Waynesville West that will have to provide ROW. The survey on this is complete and the attorney has the information to draw up the deeds. The drawings for the new school have been provided to ensure that the road plans and drainage match up with those in place at the school. Paving this will keep our buses and parents dropping off children out of the mud at the new school in Atkinson. The County is waiting on the DOT contracts to come back to demonstrate that the matching funds are in place. That has to be in place prior to moving beyond ROW clearing and utility relocation.

The Buster Walker project has met with a number of ROW opportunities. There are 15-16 owners that still have to provide ROW. Some simply need assurances that fences, wells or ramps will be managed properly and one wanted assurances that the road would actually be paved. There are four or five that simply do not want the road paved. When it is all said and done, the County will have to condemn this property and take it or not complete the Buster Walker paving project. There is $300,000 in DOT funds available to pave Buster Walker Road that might be lost if this project is not complete.

The Boots Harrison Road project is also in the ROW process with letters and deeds going out to 8 property owners. Given the speed with which these are expected to come back, and the reduced complexity of this project, this project will likely move forward ahead of others. This project is all County money so there is no DOT financial component. Permits still have to be acquired from DOT for the project. They have been filed and are expected to be returned any day.

The Satilla Church Road project is also in the ROW phase and letters have gone out to the 9 property owners that will need to exchange property or provide property to the County. On the largest parcels, an agreement was worked out so that two land owners exchanged property, reducing the costs to the County.

Mt. Calvary Road engineering has been partially completed and the rest is underway. Some information has been delivered to the attorney, so that letters can be prepared for part of the owners that will need to provide ROW. The remainder, those between the bridge and High Bluff Rock Road, will be contacted once that engineering and survey is complete. This project has $26,000 in DOT funding and will connect the end of Mt Calvary Road to High Bluff Rock Road, crossing the small patch of paving that is at the bridge behind the Twin Oaks Bluegrass Park.

The Dude Circle survey is complete and the engineering is under way. The idea is to give Plum Creek the old road and take enough property for the new road, connecting the pavement at the end of Dude Circle with the end of the pavement at the lake past the Housing Projects. This provides a much needed alternate route for Highway 82, in the event crossing is closed due to a wreck or maintenance. Similar plans are in the works for Hortense. The problems will not be soon forgotten that Hortense folks experienced while CSX repaired crossings last year.

Even with all the roads in the paving process currently, there are literally hundreds of others that still need help in “hot spots”. For this, the team discussed the County potentially purchasing some used rocks at a heavily discounted price. Having a few hundred loads of rock to mix in on select County roads would enable the County to help far more citizens. This, coupled with proper ditching, would make all the difference on a lot of roads. Later last year, the County agreed to spend $50,000 purchasing crushed asphalt that will come from the resurfacing project on 301 that has been indefinitely stalled. Road department grader operators and engineers have expressed concerns using that on hot spots, as it is very difficult to grade. This material will work much better to literally pave the ends of roads where they meet a paved road, and short stretches of roads or Recreation Park parking lots. The bottom line is that the County is working to reach out to as many citizens as possible with the road repair projects. As these “hot spots” get more permanent or semi-permanent fixes, it lowers the County's operating costs and helps the environment, as loads of dirt aren't washed into the ditch and into the river.

The County Manager later delivered a detailed plan to the Commission that had been developed with the help of the Emergency Management, Road Department and other groups. Equipment and personnel are staged with others on standby and ready for call in should the weather get bad enough tonight to warrant attention. An excellent plan was put together so that if action is needed, everyone involved knows where to go and what to do.

The next meeting will be February 4th at 5pm at the County Commission Offices in Nahunta.


Ronald E Ham
Chairman - Brantley County Commission

Commission Kicks off the New Year with Housekeeping items

The Commission’s Work Session was filled with procedural discussions of appointments and resolutions and the like that are required for the County to do business. A short discussion took place on the financial situation of the County, which is far improved over this time last year. The County has paid off the $3.2 million debt that was acquired to operate through 2009 and only used about $1.2 million of 2010 tax revenue to meet that objective. This means that the County should be able to get by, by borrowing only $1.2 million this year, effectively reducing the County’s debt by $2 million in 2009. All employees, Constitutional Officers, Commissioners and Staff worked very hard to make this happen.

The first agenda item was the appointment of the County Attorney. Commissioner O’Quinn presented the commission with an analysis of costs comparing funds spent on the current attorney to past years. In 2009, the County Attorney was paid $53,109. This, compared to $28,937 in 2008 and $23,019 in 2007. In 2009, the former attorney was also paid approximately $13,000 to complete right of way transactions that were already underway and under his certification with the State. This put total legal spending at about $66,000 for 2009. This item was placed on the agenda for further discussion in the regular meeting. The request from Commissioner O’Quinn was to put this service out for bids.

A consent agenda item was entered to reappoint Charlie Summerlin as Vice Chair, to adopt a 2010 Indigent Defense Agreement, to adopt the resolution leaving the Southeastern Bank as the depository of County funds and to adopt the resolution for 911 fees for land based telephone lines. More research will be completed this week to see if an additional resolution is needed for enhanced 911 fees for cell phones, since Brantley now has enhanced 911 service.

A consent agenda item was created to reinstate/assign three members to the Development Authority Board as well.

Commissioner O’Quinn reviewed procedures for handling Unemployment Claims and discussed a central purchasing system for items like office supplies that everyone in the County purchases. The Commissioners didn’t create an agenda item, but instead asked the County Manager to meet with the other Constitutional Officers and department heads and complete an analysis over the amount of money spent on these items to see if estimated savings were significant. Also, he was to provide some alternatives on how this could be managed, who would manage the inventory, where would it be managed and how the accounting process would be completed if things were bulk purchased and then “charged out” to individual departments. Mr. Barwick was asked to bring something back to the February Work Session.

A discussion took place on the backhoe that is currently down and in need of repair. The County had considered trading it in on a newer unit, as it is up in years, but those negations fell apart and it became obvious that the County was going to pay for the repairs either through trade in deductions or outright by fixing the unit. So the County Manager will just complete the purchase authorization form to have the backhoe repaired. Bids will also be acquired on a new knuckle boom truck as the County’s truck has 400,000 miles and needs about $19,000 in repairs to become road worthy and safe to operate. The USDA process might be available where the County received a $50,000 grant and better financing terms on the equipment. The County Manager will research and report back.

The Recreation Park was discussed. Construction is well under way and everyone is working hard to have the park ready for baseball in the spring. The Recreation Board recently purchased a concession trailer for $2500 as they will need to have portable concession facilities with their playing at multiple locations and the 911 services residing in the old Recreation Building at the old Nahunta Recreation Facility next to the jail. The Board discussed the purchase. In the past, the Recreation Board has had “free reign” over funds that were brought in through concession stands and fund raisers. The Board asked the County Manager to talk with Gary Coker and the Chairman of the Recreation Board and ask that they follow the purchasing policy currently under use with all County funds. Nobody specifically objected to the purchase, in fact the Chairman admitted that he and Gary had a conversation about such a trailer many months ago and he supported the trailer and thought it would come in handy, based on conversations at that time.

On a separate note, the Commission discussed farming out the concessions at all recreation facilities and the County Manager explained that he had been notified by folks that were interested. So he will continue the process of putting together some type of bid specification with expectations of vendors that would be interested in contracting the concessions for recreation events. Interested parties should contact the County Manager at 912-462-5256.

Along the lines of recreation, the Board created a consent agenda item to have the general fund payroll expenses for recreation concession workers reimbursed from concession proceeds. At this time, all recreation proceeds stay within the recreation funds and the payroll for concession workers comes from the general fund. An analysis is also being completed for 2009 to see if any money is being made at these concessions and to help assign a baseline for the value of this business for the bid process that will take place with vendors.

A regular agenda item was created for an appointment to the Southern Georgia Area Agency on Aging. A volunteer will be solicited and Commissioner Herrin agreed to serve if none was found.

A consent agenda item was created to write off bad debt from EMS from 2004 and 2005 in the amount of $311,254.03. Collection agencies approached and other groups determined that this debt was uncollectible. 2006 through 2008 have been turned over to the collection agency and EMS is working on 2009. Moving forward, 3 attempts will be made to collect the debt and after that the bill will be turned over to collections.

The Commission created a consent agenda item to go ahead and give the raises to the County Employees that were budgeted for 2010. If this passes, it will take place on the next payroll.

A consent agenda item was created to execute the agreement with Stateline for Dumpster Garbage Collection Service, saving the County $180,000 over previous year’s expenses. This will also get all dumpsters replaced in the County. A regular agenda item was created to discuss the consolidation of dumpster sites around the County, as was discussed last year.

The proposals were discussed for the repairs to the roof of the Courthouse. Commissioner Herrin was concerned that the specification for the roof was overly complex and might keep local roofers from bidding. The County Manager will work with those that have questions and talk with the engineer about having another bid meeting.

The County Manager had asked the County months ago to postpone hiring a Road Superintendent until he could work with the Road Department to understand their processes. After a discussion, Commissioner Edgy suggested that the County Manager review the resumes that were previously submitted and filter them down to a manageable number and develop an interview process. A consent agenda item was added for this.

A discussion took place on the building ordinance as it pertains to mobile homes and campers. Commissioner Edgy asked that the Commission consider “Grandfathering in” all existing campers that were being currently used as permanent residences. He stated that many of them were put in place before the State laws and County ordinances came into existence. The County Manager and other Commissioners were concerned that, much like the ATV ordinance, the County would find that it can’t allow something to take place that the State has deemed illegal or unsafe. The majority of the Commission supported the ordinance as it stands today. Commissioner O’Quinn pointed out that home builders have to get permits for wells and septic tanks and for home construction. The State, Federal and County Agencies have laws defining how, when, where and if a home can be built or mobile home can be installed based on safety and the impact to the environment. He asked how these individuals could be held to such a high standard and then someone be allowed to pull up a camper next door and use it for a home. After a healthy discussion, this topic was placed on the regular agenda and the County Manager was asked to discuss the item with County Attorney Tom Lee.

A potentially new service at the Health Department was discussed finally. With absolutely no contact being given to the County, a new group was slated to move into the Health Department, with services starting mid-January. They actually showed up today, according to a report by the County Manager, with plans of painting and performing construction at the Brantley County Health Department. A letter last week was issued to the regional agency explaining the County’s concerns over the space available at the facility and the sharing of services between two different entities. The group today was politely asked to put together some information and provide it to the Commission for consideration. A formal lease agreement will have to be worked out with the County, should space be available for a new group to come into the Health Department.

The County Commission meets at 4pm on the First Tuesday of the month for the Work Session at the County Commission Office and at 6pm on the Second Tuesday of the month for the Regular Meeting.

BTC Video by Robby Thomas

County Slashes Debt and Prepares for 2010

In a called meeting this morning, the County discussed those issues necessary to close out 2009 and to bring in 2010.

County Manager Parrish Barwick reported that the current balance of the general fund was $2,764,435.12. The primary matter of business was to pay off the 2009 Tax Anticipation Note (TAN) for $3.2 million, which is due by close of business on the 31st. With deposits in excess of $1 million due in today from the Tax Commissioner, Pat Tompkins, the County will have the funds necessary to pay off the TAN. The County Manager had requested proposals from area banks for a line of credit for $1.5
million to serve as the TAN loan for 2010 operating capital. Those responding were Suntrust at 2.81% interest, or more specifically, the LIBOR rate plus 2.56%, and the Heritage bank with 4.25%, or PRIME plus 1%. Quoted numbers reflected business numbers from the 29th. BB&T proposed a fully funded loan with fixed interest of 3.09% and failed to meet bid specification. The County required in this proposal that banks allow the County to "draw down" funds as needed so that no unnecessary
interest would be paid.

The Commission approved a resolution to move forward with SunTrust Bank for the line of credit.

The County, as with any business has to look at gains/losses (more commonly known in the private sector as profit and loss) and "cash flow". The good Lord has blessed the County with the funds needed to pay off the TAN loan for $3.2 million, now the County must work to ensure that there is proper operating capital to get through the first few months of the year, as much of the County funds were depleted
to pay off the loan for last year's operating capital. Last year there were times when tax deposits were made the same day that payroll checks were printed, and that is just too close for comfort. The line of credit and a $500,000 current balance will keep that from happening this year.

The next discussion is "how much of 2010 tax dollars went to pay off the note" or more plainly put, how much did we really "reduce our debt". Where the final numbers won't be known until all 2009 bills are posted and paid, the best estimate is as follows: There is $2,764,435.12 in the General Fund as of the last report. In that account, $655,139.78 of 2010 tax money has already been deposited. To this, we have to add two things. First is the amount we needed from the $1 million dollar deposit that Mrs. Pat will make today needed to pay off the TAN. $3.2 million minus the current general fund balance leaves $441,083.63. This represents more of 2010 dollars needed to retire the 2009 debt. Finally, there are approximately $125,000 - $130,000 in 2009 invoices that are in the payment cycle. So, the best estimate is that approximately $1.2 million of 2010 tax revenue has been spent to retire 2009 debt. More importantly, that means that approximately $2 million of 2009 money went
to retire the debt. So at this point, unless there are some unforeseen changes, the County will only owe between $1.2 and $1.3 million. In the 2010 budget there was $500,000 assigned for debt reduction. So if the County can manage to find $700,000 in unanticipated revenue, the debt could be retired completely in 2010, but folks should resist the urge to get ahead of themselves. Every expenditure needs to be scrutinized by department heads, Constitutional Officers and the Commission. That
is how the County has gotten to where it is today, and that is how it will succeed.

The thing to remember is the $720,000 in expense reduction that the Commission executed earlier this year. With $2.9 million in the general fund now and a $1 million deposit due in today, that makes $3.9 million. With a payment of $3.2 million made to pay off the TAN, that leaves $700,000. Where all the credit and glory go to the good Lord, He teaches us to plan your work and work your plan. Congratulations to the entire Brantley County team of employees, Commissioners, Staff, Constitutional Officers and citizens who have worked hard, been understanding and even done without so that this could be achieved.

The goal has always been to protect the general fund and hold tax millage steady or lower it, lower the debt and make progress with SPLOST dollars and grant opportunities. I'd say that plan is working.

Ronald E. Ham
Chairman - Brantley County Commission

Brantley County New Recreation Park Starting to Take Shape

Click on photo to see larger.