Commissioners Close TAN Loan

The Commissioners closed this week on a $3.5 million Tax Anticipation Note (TAN) loan from Bank of America. BofA was the low bidder with a rate of 2.35%. There was a wide variety of extra paperwork that was required by the Bank of America and the process stalled at least three times midstream, but, due to the efforts of the team, the process is now complete.

The next step is the TAN loan for the volunteer fire department loans. Since this is paid with Fire Tax money, these have to be managed separately. This process is being defined to see if we can consolidate them into one note to reduce expenses and complexities. The Commissioners hope to bring this to a close this week.

County Commission Adjusts Budget Cuts

The County Commission met March 24th in a called meeting to review the 10% pay reduction, cancellation of holiday pay and other budget cuts that were enacted in a previous session. Over the last 10 days, all Constitutional Officers met with the County Commission members individually in various sessions to discuss a unified path forward and alternatives that still provide the needed changes to get through 2009.

The Probate Judge, Sheriff, Tax Commissioner, Clerk of Superior Court and Magistrate Judge brought proposals on ways to increase revenue and reduce spending. In the meeting on the 24th, the County Commission voted unanimously to suspend the 10% pay reduction across the board and to reinstate the payment of holiday pay until July 1 to give the Constitutional Officers and the County the time to enact alternative measures that will help improve the County's financial situation. A monthly meeting of the Commission Chairman and the Constitutional Officers is being scheduled to review the monthly and year-to-date finances of the County. This will allow them to measure the success of the enacted alternatives. Other Commissioners will be rotated through so that every quarter they have the opportunity to participate in these sessions.

This kind of unilateral and consolidated effort across Departments and Constitutional Offices is unprecedented in Brantley County. Everyone is bringing ideas to the table and that is what it is going to take to bring Brantley County back to financial stability over the coming years.

The goal is to achieve the savings of around $800,000 that allows Brantley County to get through the end of 2009. Commissioners are more than willing to work with all parties in any way possible to achieve this aggressive, but very attainable goal.

For more information, stay tuned to this web site or attend the Work Session or Regular Meeting of the County Commission on the First and Second Tuesdays respectively.

Commissioners to Contract out Inspections

The County Commission met on March 19th to discuss the needed inspections. In order to get costs under control, the County has eliminated one of the code enforcement positions, keeping the employee with the most seniority. Prior to the elimination of the Code Enforcement Clerk and one Code Enforcement Officer position, the County was spending over $150,000 in salary and benefits for a department that was processing 9 permits per month. The plan implemented by the Board was to contract out the building and mobile home inspections, while the remaining code enforcement officer obtains ICC Residential Inspection Certification and Mobile Home Inspection Certificates. These two, along with the "red card" for Soil and Water Erosion, would give him all of the certifications needed to provide the inspections that were previously provided in house. The County Manager has a "red card", as does one Road Department supervisor, so there are other county resources to fulfill those functions if needed.

The issue arose when the County Manager was unable to locate ICC certified inspectors available for hire. The resources used previously by the Board had let their accreditation lapse or had taken fulltime positions. This lead the County into a position where it was unable to provide inspections for those who had already purchased permits, so some action had to be taken and quickly.

You see, with every permit there are multiple inspections. These include things like plan reviews, septic, foundation, framing, wiring, plumbing, heating/ventilation and more. There are levels of ICC inspection certification that go along with some of these types of inspections. They have Residential (Foundation, Framing, etc), Electrical, Plumbing, Wiring and Mechanical (Heating and Air), as I understand that process. There are commercial inspection certifications on top of these five. The County also provides "Certificate of Occupancy" documents that are used for loan processing per the County Manager. There is also a need for mobile home inspection status which requires a one day training class by the State, after which you are issued a certificate.

The County took action to contract with our former code enforcement officer by the inspection provided so that the permits issued could be properly and timely serviced. The County expects within 3 to 6 months, the remaining code enforcement officer will have the needed certifications to perform the functions currently being contracted out.

For more on ICC certifications see the below link.
International Code Council

Chairman meets with Constitutional Officers

Chairman Ronald Ham and Commissioner Greg O'Quinn met with all Constitutional Officers Tuesday to discuss the recent cutbacks and some alternatives. In the letter that was delivered to the County Commissioners, which has gotten much press, the Constitutional Officers asked the Commissioners to sit down and review some alternatives with them.

In the meeting, the Constitutional Officers provided a number of ideas to reduce spending and to increase revenues. The meeting was very upbeat and very constructive. The County Commissioners have set a threshold at $700,000+ which is needed to get through this year, and have defined a path to get there, but they were more than willing to sit down with the Sheriff, Probate Judge, Clerk of Superior Court, Tax Commissioner and Magistrate Judge to talk about alternatives. Where a quantitative analysis hasn't yet been put together, the suggestions from the Constitutional Officers represent a substantial reduction in spending and increase in revenue.

More meetings are being set up with the other Commissioners so they can discuss alternatives firsthand with the management team of the County. A called meeting will take place on Tuesday, March 24th, prior to the Public Hearing that is being held for the Subdivision Ordinance. At that meeting, the Board will decide whether or not to take action based on the input from the Constitutional Officers and all new information that the Board is currently researching.

County Commissioners Called Meeting

In a called meeting today, the County Commissioners accepted the intergovernmental relations agreement that was provided by the City's Attorney and Mayor. With this agreement in place, the City should now take action to deed the land, building and equipment to the County who will likely expand its agreement with Nahunta INC Fire Department to cover the fires in the city limits of Nahunta. The expectation is that next year the County will collect the fire tax on the City residents and pass those revenues along to the Nahunta INC Fire Department for their coverage of the City.

On other items, the Board ratified the new Bank of America TAN loan fixed interest rate of 2.35% and moved forward with the process of securing loan funds with which to operate. The Board also modified the County's human resource policy to define the calculation of overtime for Deputies and Jailers, which places them on a 14 day schedule, which is allowed in the Fair Labor Standards Act. With this, all hours over 80 for the 14 day period will be considered overtime. The Board also entered into the Intergovernmental Relations agreement with the Joint Development Authority presented by the Brantley County Development Authority.

The Board reviewed the Airport Authority and discussed the benefits and limitations of the Authority with Ms. Mary Gibson. After this, the Board voted to appoint the five members on the current Airport Advisory Committee to the Airport Authority Board, to terms consistent with the legislation and recommendations from Ms. Gibson. The Board also voted to ask the County Manager to define a lease where the County would lease the airport to the Authority, with the terms to be recommended by the attorney after consulting with the FAA.

Finally, the Board discussed further the recent cutbacks that were implemented to make it through this year. The Board voted to return the fuel system and use some part of that money to reinstate some of the cuts made to the Recreation Department. After discussion by the Board, the County Manager agreed to reduce his salary by 10%. Since he is on contract and not an employee of the Board, his salary would not have been reduced with the other cuts. A letter to that affect is forthcoming from the County Manager.

For more information on the County Commissioners, attend their regular meetings on the first and second Tuesdays of each month and or monitor this web site.

BTC Video by Robby Thomas

County Commissioners Cut Spending

In the regular meeting on Tuesday, March 10th, the County Commission took on the worst challenge to face our county in many years. In a packed courtroom, some tough decisions were made that helped reduce spending by approximately $680,000 for the remaining part of 2009. This was necessary, as the County needed to find a way to save enough money to make up anticipated fourth quarter shortfalls.

On Monday, Chairman Ronald Ham reviewed the very necessary reductions with every Constitutional Officer and they agreed to support these changes. The items that were approved included a 10% reduction of all salaries across the board. Everyone who receives a paycheck from the County will have it reduced by 10%. This was a difficult decision, but was a far fairer approach than reducing all employees working Monday through Friday to 32 hours per week and ignoring those on 24 hour shifts. This item alone resulted in a $463,000 savings for the rest of 2009.

Other items included:

* the halting of Holiday Pay for the remainder of the year, which netted a savings of $131,00 for the remainder of 2009,
* the suspension of cashing in of annual leave, which saved approximately $10,000. Annual leave will still be accrued and vacations can still be taken, but the requests for cash payments in exchange for annual leave will not be allowed.
* the suspension of paying for services to hold concessions, gates and clock operation at recreation events which saved $15,931 for the remainder of 2009. The Recreation Department will be seeking volunteers for these functions.
* The elimination of one code enforcement position with a savings of $35,000. The County will have to contract out some of these services while building is at a standstill and others obtain certification.
* Eliminating the code enforcement clerk and pay Amy Schultz from the 911 fees. Savings of $21,000.
* Eliminate yard service contract and reassign Tommy Jacobs to oversee community service workers, trustees and or prison details to perform yardwork and pick up trash.
* the elimination of the purchase of the $20,000 fuel system did not pass. That purchase will go through.

These are tough times and it is better for all to sacrifice a little than to run blindly to the fourth quarter and start having to lay people off during the holidays. None of the Commissioners made these decisions without extensive thought and much consideration.

Other items are also under review to streamline the operations within the County and to make the best of our workforce. We have good people working for the County, and in these tough times we have to have all of our oars in the water and operate as efficiently as we can. The most important thing is that we work together as a team to help make progress where we can. We all have different strengths and weaknesses, and when we work together, we fill the voids that are our weaknesses. So, every Constitutional Officer, County Commissioner, the department heads and the staff need to work together and bring their constructive ideas to the table. We have to get beyond the politics of the past and build the partnerships that will make the future of Brantley County something that we can all be proud to say that we were a part of.

For more information on the County Commission and its activities, please follow our work sessions on the First Tuesday at 4pm at the County Commissioner Office and our regular meetings on the second Tuesday at 6pm at the Brantley County Courthouse.

BTC Video by Robby Thomas

March 3 Work Session

The Brantley County Commission met at 4pm, on what will be the normal work session day, moving forward, the first Tuesday of the month. They were very impressed with a presentation by a company that is currently working with the Development Authority to potentially locate in Brantley County. This group turns waste into energy in a very efficient and state of the art process that could bring dozens of good paying jobs to Brantley County. The company is also considering a manufacturing plant for Brantley that would mass produce their primary equipment component which they will retail to those wishing to get into this business.

During the work session, a number of issues were discussed and added to the appropriate agendas for the regular meeting which will be at its regularly scheduled time on the second Tuesday of the month. The main theme of the meeting was the County's current financial crisis. Mrs. Pat Tompkins provided good news that tax collections nearing $400,000 would be ready for the County on the following day. The bad news is that this is just enough for about two payrolls. This will allow the County to make preparations for a TAN loan for operating funds, with bids for same to be opened at the next meeting.

Many of the County employees were in attendance to express concerns over potentially reduced work hours, or the elimination of some positions. While the Commissioners certainly do not want to place hardship on any of the employees, the absolute worse thing would be to continue as is until October or November, exhausting all TAN loan and tax dollars, leaving no money to operate. This would cause massive layoffs for County workers during the holidays, and some would say even the dissolving of the County. Nobody wants that.

With this in mind, the Commission started to discuss options to restrict spending, limit travel and training, limit overtime in departments reporting to the Commission, and to work with the Constitutional Officers to continue to reduce overtime and spending.

The County Manager made a case for a County police force, as he reported the continued overtime in the Sheriff's Department for jailers and deputies. Many salary changes have been made, within proper guidelines, to reign in the overtime in this department. Commissioner Edgy explained that he had talked with the Sheriff and that the booking of all inmates (about 65), and double coverage for training that took place during that time frame, caused the 900 plus hours of overtime on the 2/18/09 pay period for the jail. The fact that the Sheriff's office is two (2)deputies short, and working double coverage to fill those vacancies, caused some of the over 400 hours of overtime on the 2/18/09 payroll. Mr. Edgy explained that he and the Chairman had a meeting scheduled with the Sheriff and they were looking at alternatives for managing the time in those departments, to try and help get the overtime issue under control. Commissioner Summerlin asked why the Sheriff couldn't attend these meetings and discuss these items with the Commission. An item to empower the County Manager to review the process to create a County police force was added to the agenda. After conversations with council, this item would have to be placed on a ballot for the people to choose. Another item to allow the County Manager to review alternatives for contracting out the operation of the new Jail was placed on the agenda.

The Commission learned that the County credit cards had not yet been canceled and replaced with new cards. This item will be placed on the agenda and an update given on Tuesday. There was some confusion over the last request of the Commission and that is being clarified, so that progress can be made on this item.

The Commissioners were proud to hear the Attorney explain that there were provisions that would allow the Chamber of Commerce and Historical Society to remain a tenant of County property. The Commission placed an item on the agenda to instruct the County Manager to work with the Chamber to move to their new office at the St. Illa while these details are worked out. This will allow progress on the objective of removing the records from the hall of the courthouse after some minor modifications are made to the building where the Chamber currently resides.

Commissioner Herrin and others are concerned that the County is at a standstill with the new recreation park, so, an item was placed on the agenda to appoint Mr. Greg O'Quinn to the Recreation Board as a liaison for the Commission. Should this pass, it would be intended to provide a conduit for communication between the Commission and Recreation Department, helping remove road blocks and setting the stage for progress to continue.

For more information and updates, follow the meetings of the Brantley County Commission on the First and Second Tuesday of each month.

BTC Video

Commissioners Approve Subdivison Ordinance and PD

In a meeting February 23rd, the Commissioners reviewed the subdivision ordinance proposed by the Planning Commission. To add some real world experience, the commission reversed a previous decision and asked Ray Richard, experienced Glynn County Engineer, to join in this discussion. The document remained 90% intact as proposed by the Planning Commission. Some adjustments were made to relax some requirements, while stiffening others. The Satilla River Keepers and local Volunteer Fire Departments were on hand to participate in this discussion.

Since this called meeting touched so many in areas where they had expertise and heartfelt emotional opinions, it got a little touchy at times. The Chairman allowed the format for the meeting to be a little more relaxed than other business meetings that the Commission has held. After 2.5 hours, the Commission had heard a great deal of input, had voted on over a dozen individual language changes and the document was approved as modified. Formal edits are being made and a final draft will be made available at the Commission office and on this web site the week of March 3rd.

In this meeting, the Commissioners also voted and accepted the Magnolia Subdivision PD and a draft contract as drawn up by council, Thomas Lee of St. Simons Island. This will allow that developer to begin construction on a complex South of 82 between Atkinson and Waynesville, with appropriate ordinances and regulations protecting the County, property owners (current and future) and the investors of the development.

For more information, follow the regular meetings of the County Commission on the First and Second Tuesday of the month.

BTC Video

Commissioners Meet to Discuss Tan Loan

The County Commissioners met in a called meeting on Feb. 23rd to review the options for a loan for the line of credit, which is a loan that must be taken out in order to pay operating expenses (salaries and other routine expenses) of the County. This is necessary since the county spent over $2.5 million of this year’s operating funds paying last years bills. There was confusion over variable and fixed bids and there was a problem with the way the requests for proposals were published. For these, and other reasons, the board threw out all the bids and decided to advertise again. Bids were solicited from local banks and those must be in next week as the county draws very near to needing these funds to meet their obligations.

For more on this, follow the regular meetings of the County Commission.

Local Firefighters Visit Capitol

February 2nd was Firefighter Appreciation Day, which allows firefighters to lobby for better equipment and help in our local communities. Pictured above is Mike Carver, Hortense Chief, and Freddie Howell, King's Bay Chief, visiting with Jeff Chapman in the Atlanta Capital to discuss legislation that could affect local volunteer fire departments. They also discussed many potential grant opportunities for 2009 - 2010 for the VFDs. Our local firefighters are working to build relationships with State and Federal agencies which could, over the long term, reduce taxpayer spending here at home. Hats off to all the local firefighters for their dedication and hard work.