US Rep. Jack Kingston Visits Brantley County Airport

Today, April 19, 2011, US Representative Jack Kingston visited the recently reopened Brantley County Airport.  Representative Kingston expressed great pride in being the first US Representative to land at the newly renovated Brantley County Airport.  Airport Authority Board spokesman Billy J. Lee was on hand to welcome Jack as his plane landed and he visited with onlookers.  Mr. Lee explained the project and some of the challenges presented as issues arose with the contract group that had been originally contracted to extend and rebuild the runway.  But in typical Brantley County fashion, the team hunkered down and worked through the issues, completing the project and protecting a vital Brantley County asset.  Mr. Lee gave credit to Ms. Mary Gibson and other members of the Airport Authority, previous and current Commissions and many others who have worked to support the airport project.  Mr. Lee even had on had the large cardboard check for $2.9 million which represented the Air Georgia Grant that Brantley County was awarded to fund the project.

Not only was the project completed, but the next phase is underway with requests for quotes (RFQ) for the "Fixed Base Operator" (FBO) construction and services out for proposals.  With this next step, the County, through the airport authority, will lease some of the property at the airport to a private company who will build and pay for the hangers, main terminal building, fuel island and other facilities that will be located at the airport.  The selected company will operate these facilities and use the revenue that they receive to fund their business.  With hangers very crowded in all lighted airports surrounding Brantley County, there are high expectations that airplane owners will come to Brantley County to hanger their planes.

There are also plans to build a Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) Substation at the airport.  A discussion is also under way to attract one of the helicopter "life flight" groups to hanger their aircraft at the Brantley County Airport.  This will help potential candidates by allowing them to hanger the helicopter and and position them more central to Southeast Georgia.  This will be a huge plus for Brantley County.

Also at the airport today were representatives of the various Brantley County Volunteer Fire Departments.  They ushered in a line of fire trucks that were gained through Federal Grant Programs.  Representative Jack Kingston was instrumental in helping the various fire departments acquire these trucks over recent years.  Jack spent a good deal of time with the volunteers and expressed his continued support for our volunteers.

The Brantley County Airport "Grand Opening" will be Saturday May 7th from 10-2.  The Airport Authority is finalizing the schedule.  Some speakers will be available.  The Volunteer Fire Department will be on hand selling plates, drinks, etc.  The Airport Authority is working to finalize the schedule for the 9th. There will also be a formal ribbon cutting ceremony on that day.

Congratulations for a job well done to all those who played a part in this phase of the project, and a heartfelt and sincere "Thank You" to Representative Jack Kingston for all of his support in the past and for his pledge to support Brantley County moving forward.

Satilla Fields Grand Opening!

Saturday will be the grand opening at the Brantley County Recreation Park - "Satilla Fields".  Located just 3 miles east of Nahunta and south of Highway 82 on Baker Creek Road, next to the Georgia Forestry Department, the park will have plenty of parking, free food and lots of fun.

The program will start at 9:30 - 9:45. There will be bounce houses for the kids, free hot dogs and Cokes and more. Come join the celebration of the first new recreation park in Brantley County in many years. The first regular games will start at 10 am.

Remember that the park was paid for majorly with Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) dollars. 

A special thanks to the Recreation Director and staff, the Recreation Advisory Board, the County Manager, the Road Department Team, previous and current commissioners and countless others for their hard work and dedication that made this great park possible.

Come and join in the celebration. Rumor has it that some County commissioners and other select elected officials are all taking turns in the dunking booth.

Brantley County Commission Meeting – April 2011

The Commission started the April meeting by approving eight (8) items on the consent agenda.  The items included:

·         Approving the selection of Grant Services Consulting as the contractor for the Hazard Mitigation Plan at a cost of $17,250, funded from grant funds.

·         Approving the Safe Roads and Right of Way ordinance.

·         Approving the contract with Southern Georgia Area Agency on Aging-Home Delivered Meals and Congregate Meals.

·         Approving the closing of three entrances to the Courthouse, once the parking lot paving project is completed.  The entrance from the new parking lot on the South side of the courthouse will be used by citizens.  Other entrances will still serve as employee entrances and emergency exists.

·         Approving the appointment of Commission Chris Harris as an ex-officio member of the Development Authority, replacing Commissioner O’Quinn.

·         Approve the acceptance of one acre of land from Robert Johns, off High Bluff Rock Road, to be used as a Hoboken Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) Substation. 

·         Approving a request from the Hortense VFD to use $20,000 from the 2010 fund balance for that fire department.

·         Approving Georgia Power’s proposal for the parking lot lights at the Courthouse, with an upfront cost of $3,750 and a monthly charge of $110. 

The Development Authority Chairperson Peggy Bowers addressed the Board at the start of the meeting.  She updated the Board on the search for a new Executive Director.  She explained that they were discussing with their attorney about the implementation of an employment policy and some other items that the DA has discussed recently in association with filling the position.  The DA has a goal of posting the position, accepting applications and selecting a candidate for a start date around the 1^st of June 2011.  She also explained that the DA will be working on the marketing campaign for Brantley County and is seeking input from the Commission.  The DA will also be hosting training for DA members and Executive Directors from all over the State.  This was a program put together by Jeannie Boland prior to her departure. 

The request from the Tax Assessors office to add a full time position was the next item on the agenda.  The Commission expressed their understanding over concerns of the impact of new legislation that will require the TA office to send a property evaluation to every parcel owner with anticipated tax amounts on the notice.  But, given the absence of budgeted funds to cover a full time head count increase in the TA office, the Commission agreed to extending the part time funding for the office through the end of the year and increase that amount to a total of $9,000 for FY 2011.  With $3,000 already spent, this leaves the TA office with $6,000 to fund the part time position for the remainder of the year. 

An item for a beer and wine license for the “Rack Shack” was removed at the owner’s request.

Chuck Connors from the Brantley County Historical Society addressed the Commission next.  His group is working with the Clerk of the Superior Court, the Probate Judge, the local Funeral Home Director and others to accomplish three objectives.  First, the group is trying to develop a process that identifies anytime someone is buried in a cemetery on private property.  Second, the group wants to establish a process that persons burying loved ones in cemeteries on private property need to follow to ensure that those loved ones are accounted for.  Finally, they are working to get assistance with cemeteries that have been abandoned or forgotten.  The Commission discussed the requests and was insistent that the County could not spend tax dollars on private property.  The State law protecting burial sites states that the burial site is not the property of the land owner.  The Commission asked the County attorney to review the law and to prepare some alternatives for the Commission for next month. 

The Commission reviewed a survey of the proposed site for the Brantley County Saddle Club just east of the Schlatterville Recreation Park.  The Commission also reviewed the lease put together by the County attorney and reviewed by the Saddle Club.  The Commission then approved the lease at the proposed location for a term of 5 years at a rate equivalent to what they are paying today.  The County surveyor will prepare a plat that will serve as the attachment to the lease.  The lease will automatically renew, as long as both parties meet their commitments. 

The Commission next discussed the SPLOST renewal.  After much discussion, the County approved placing the SPLOST on the election calendar for November 2011.  The makeup of the SPLOST referendum will consist of a 6 year SPLOST that will total anticipated $8 million with $3 million allocated to make the jail payments, $800,000 for recreation and $4.2 million for improvements and construction.  The language will allow the Commission to sell bonds to bring funding forward to take advantage of lower pricing for road construction today.  An analysis will be completed that 1) defines any opportunity to prepay the jail lease payments to reduce interest and 2) compares the interest that would be paid on possible bonds for the first 3-5 road projects that could be brought forward against the potential savings on road construction projects.  If there isn’t savings there, then the bond referendum isn’t the right approach.

The Commission went into executive session for personnel, after which they took no action.                

  

Brantley County Commission Work Session April 2011

The Commission started with an update from the Tax Assessor’s office.  TA Board Member Billy Lee explained that the complete County review for mobile homes was complete, those bills had already been mailed by the Tax Commissioner’s office and they are due in May 1.  All parcel “splits” are now updated on the local computer and in Q-Public, the TA website that citizens can use free of charge, a service started last year by the TA board with support from the Commission.  There is very good synergy in the TA office, with some cross training taking place to fill critical positions.  Senate Bill 346 was discussed and the concerns that this bill will cause a lot of confusion and anxiety on the part of the public.  The bill will require that the TA office send a property appraisal notice to every property owner with an anticipated tax bill amount on it.  This will be based on last year’s millage rate and current property appraisals.  The entire state wide computer system that most TA offices use is being overhauled to print new documents jam packed with information that could be confusing at first.  The requirements will definitely cause a significant increase in the number of visits and calls to the TA office.   

The part time position that was approved by the Commission earlier this year has been ½ used, but the time limit imposed when that was passed has expired.  The TA board came before the Commission to ask that the part time position be increased to a full time position.  Where they have made much progress this year, the office fears that the demands of SB346 will cause delays in the digest and budget process.  The Commission placed this on the regular agenda. 

The Commission next heard from representatives from Morgan Keegan and Jim Panell, who represent a bonding company and financial advisory firm.  The Commission is considering placing the SPLOST on a November ballot and if the desire is to bond a portion of the SPLOST to bring road construction funds forward to take advantage of good pricing that the County is getting on road construction projects, this would have to be included in the language for the ballot.  Other processes would have to be completed in the summer in order to get ready for a fall election.  Work and intergovernmental relations agreements would have to be struck with the cities for their participation in the SPLOST.  With all of the progress paving roads in the County and the fact that the jail payments are made using SPLOST funds, the Commission is hopeful that the voters will renew the SPLOST.  This item was placed on the regular agenda.   

The Commission placed an item on the consent agenda to approve the funds for an update of the County’s Hazard Mitigation Plan by way of a grant for $25,000.  The County will have to match the grant, but this can be done with in kind services so the County is not out of pocket for funds on this.  The program is critical for the County and required by the state per the EMA director.

The Commission discussed a beer and wine license from Christian Cox for the “Rack Shack”.  An application had been previously denied, as the facility was too close to a local resident.  Mr. Cox reapplied with a certified letter from the resident explaining that he had no issue with the County awarding Mr. Cox the license.  There were some questions as to other information required on the applicant so the County placed this item on the regular agenda.

Chuck Connors from the Brantley County Historical Society asked the Commission to consider some process to help document when someone is buried on private property.  He also brought a request for assistance in cleaning up some of the cemeteries that have become run down.  The County has the ability to participate with prison labor or other services to help clean up cemeteries that have been neglected, but handle them on a case by case basis.

The County reviewed an ordinance prepared by County Attorney, Dean Strickland, that would make it illegal to set up yard sales, flea markets or other retail facilities in the right of way and roads of the County.  The issue was brought to light in previous meetings by organizers of the Big Z event and other events in the County that see people creating safety hazards and traffic jams when they use the County right of way close to a major event like that to take advantage of the increased traffic flow.  This makes a busy location somewhat dangerous.  The Commission placed this item on the consent agenda. 

 

The Commission discussed a request from the Brantley County Saddle Club in association with the Middle School and High School FFA programs and rodeo associations in the school systems to provide a place for their activities.  The County manager will get the County surveyor to carve out a piece of property east of the Schlatterville Recreation Park to be leased for these activities.  A draft lease was reviewed and will be discussed in the regular meeting on the regular agenda.  

The Commission took up a request to name the bridge over Mill Creek on Schlatterville Road “SGT Charles E. Hickox Memorial Bridge”.  A local resident came in objection to the changing of the name on the bridge.  She explained that about 5 or 6 years ago when the roads were being named, her family had lobbied the Commission to change the name of Schlatterville Road to “AJ Strickland Road” in honor of a family member who had been very active in the community and too was a veteran, but the Hickox and Gunter families lobbied the County to change the name of the road back to Schlatterville Road and they did just that.  So, they do not feel that the request for the bridge name should be honored, as they were not able to have their family member honored some years ago.  The Commission discussed some alternatives and took no action on the item. 

The Commission placed an item on the consent agenda to renew the contract with Southern Georgia Area Agency on Aging for home delivered meals.  This is a critical service for many of our home bound citizens.  

The Commission discussed an item to close the east, west and north entrances to the courthouse once the new parking lot is complete.  The metal detector will be relocated to the south entrance on the side with Highway 82 along with the new parking lot.  The Sheriff has security personnel at training that will be ready in about 60 days to take their post.  The security at the courthouse has been a concern for many Constitutional Officers and the Commission since taking office.  The new security cameras that were installed in January keep detailed footage of all movements inside and outside the courthouse for months.  This system has helped as courthouse visitors know that they are being watched and recorded, but the metal detector moving and new security personnel will help protect the Judges, Clerks, Tax Assessor and Tax Commissioner groups in the courthouse.  Personnel in the courthouse will be able to scan in and out of the north, east and west doors with a badge, freeing up the south entrance for visitors.  This item was placed on the consent agenda.  

The Commission accepted a request from Commissioner Greg O’Quinn to be replaced on the Development Authority Board as an ex-officio member.  There is a part of the defining papers on the Authority that prohibits two members from working for the same company.  Commissioner O’Quinn was replaced by Commissioner Chris Harris.  This item was placed on the consent agenda.   

The warranty deed from Mr. Robert Johns of the High Bluff area was placed on the consent agenda. He is donating property for the new Hoboken Volunteer Fire Department Substation.  This is part of the County wide expansion of fire service that will over time lower the ISO ratings for the vast majority of home owners in the County.  This will lower home owners insurance significantly once the plan is fully implemented.  

The Commission approved a budget amendment for the Hortense VFD to use $20,000 in unused funds from previous years to complete the inside of their new substation on Highway 110 North just south of Highway 32.  This also included the purchase of some radio equipment and other items.  The VFD tax money is collected and deposited into a separate checking account for each of the fire departments.  Unlike general fund items, fire tax money must be used for that purpose.  So when the departments are frugal in some years, they have the ability to use these funds in later years as needed if it is approved by the Commission. 

The Commission placed an item on the consent agenda to purchase the lighting for the new courthouse parking lot for $3,750 with a monthly fee of $110.  The alternative was a much higher monthly rate (over double) which carried no upfront costs.  The Commission felt that was short sighted and placed the item on the consent agenda for the lower monthly fee.  Courthouse construction funds are budgeted to cover this item.  

The County manager explained with the City’s new water and sewer bills now going to residents and businesses that the County’s water/sewer bill for the jail last month was $4,077.  Last year, the Chairman attended the City Council meeting when this was discussed.  After that meeting and at budget time the utility line item for the jail was increased to help cover this expense.  Likely that line item will have to be increased this year as well.

The new “Satilla Fields” recreation complex is nearing completion, with the grand opening scheduled for mid-April.  The restrooms and concession stand building is nearly complete and other improvements for dugouts and bleachers are being pieced together.  Since the SPLOST dollars have been almost depleted, the Commission is reusing some of the bleachers and other equipment from the fields in Nahunta to hold down expenses.  These can also be relocated to the football and soccer fields when those sports are in season.  We’ll do what we have to in order to get through these first years.  Signs are being sold by the recreation department that will be installed on the big fence along side Baker Creek Road coming into the complex.  The 4x8 sign will be $500 for a 2 year sign with a $100 annual renewal and a 4x4 sign will be sold for $250 for 1 year with an annual renewal at $100 as well.  These proceeds will go toward other items that are needed for the new park. 

The road projects were discussed.  The Waynesville Road project is well on its way to completion.  The project had been held up for weeks by the Georgia Department of Transportation as the equipment was broken that was needed to complete the test to define the right clay mixture for the road.  A new device was found this week and those numbers were calculated and provided to the contractor.  The contractor will start installing the clay next week.  Buster Walker Road progress is ongoing.  Finally, Mt. Calvary Road construction is under way as well.  All three of these roads will be completed this spring or summer. It is in the spirit of, and with the recent memory of these projects, that the Commission is hopeful that the voters will renew the SPLOST should the Commission vote to place it on the ballot this November.