Commission Proposes 17% Reduction in County Millage Rate

The Brantley County Commission started the process of lowering the millage rate in their first 2012 Budget Hearing this week. After 2 1/2 hours of working through 35+ departments and Constitutional Officer Proposed Budgets, the Commission had lowered the millage rate to approximately 17 mills from 20.45 mills in the 2011 Budget. This represented a 17% reduction in the millage rate in one year, based on the 2010 Tax Digest.

In 2009, when three of the current Commissioners took office, the County millage rate was 22.08. A County M&O net millage rate of 17 mills puts the County Commission portion of the millage back to pre-2005 levels, which represents a 23% reduction in millage between 2009 and 2012. The table below shows tax values since 2005.

CLICK ON TABLES TO SEE THEM IN FULL.

When this team was elected, they vowed to pay off the operating debt, lower the millage rate over time and make improvements leveraging Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST), capital outlay and grant dollars. The operating debt has been retired. Over 13 miles of roads have been or are currently being paved, with Buster Walker and Mt. Calvary currently under construction. The new Satilla Fields Recreation Park is open to the public. Also, the County M&O millage rate has been lowered every year since 2009. There have been bumps along the way but the team has taken them in stride and continued to make progress.

There are two more budget hearings and things could change during any of those meetings and right up until the budget, digest and millage rate are approved and set in August. Once the actual Tax Digest is available, the real credits for Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) roll back and Insurance Premium roll back are available, the final numbers can be calculated. You see, the amount of money collected in Local Option Sales Tax and Insurance Premium Tax are deducted from the millage rate as credits.

A copy of the proposed draft of the 2012 budget is available at the County Commission office behind the Dairy Queen.

Ronald E. Ham
Chairman – Brantley County Commission

Junior Police Academy Draws Huge Crowd

The Brantley County Middle School Gym was filled with 56 Jr. Police Academy Graduates and hundreds of brothers, sisters, parents and grandparents June 17, 2011. Sheriff Robert Thomas and his team of over two dozen support staff members for the 10th Annual Junior Police Academy worked the entire week with these youngsters. This staff includes some Brantley County Sheriff’s deputies, investigators and other staff. It also included a Chief Magistrate Judge, State Patrol Officer and a variety of others who unselfishly volunteered their time all week.

During the week, the Academy was home to over two dozen law enforcement and first responder teams. Groups from Waycross S.W.A.T, Ware Correctional K-9 Drug Search, EMS, Fire Departments, Georgia State Patrol - Patrol, Department of Natural Resources, GSP Helicopter Support, GBI Bomb Squad and many, many, more worked with the 56 young men and women to let them see the world through the eyes of these different agencies. So many times the only image that youth have of these agencies is when they happen to find themselves on the wrong side of law enforcement or first responders.

Cadets learned techniques for securing suspects and experienced driving through the course on golf carts and then tried with goggles that gave the effect of driving under the influence. Then they learned that about safely operating 4 wheelers from Southern Outdoor Sports. The experienced the way first responders approach an actual wreck with live actors and real crashed cars courtesy of DePratter Wrecker Service. They learned proper firearm techniques with B-B Gun loading, handling and firing. The Waycross Bomb Squad provided a demonstration of how they use computer operated robots to handle packages and at the end they detonated the package to end with a real bang.

The team was tired and the kids were wired but graduation came off without a hitch. The five different teams came in marching in perfect stride heeding the calls of State Patrolman Ray Strickland who worked with the teams this week. Afterward Laura Kelly, who plays a major role in helping organize the entire event, had a huge spread of cake and cookies and all kinds of goodies.

Hats off to Sheriff Thomas, his team and the over 35 individuals and different departments that helped make this 10th Annual event a huge success.

Brantley County Commission June Regular Meeting

The Commission managed a wide variety of items in the June 2011 Regular Meeting at the Brantley County Courthouse.  The Commission approved the following items on the Consent Agenda by unanimous vote.

.       Approved request from Waycross Cable Company, d/b/a Mediastream, to transfer cable franchise to James Cable, LLC

·         Approved seat belt policy in all county vehicles with an effective date of May 16, 2011

·         Approved appointment of Ms. Evon Griffin to Planning Commission to replace Michael White

·         Approved annual contract with Ware Correction Institute for Inmate Work Detail

·         Approved annual Rental Agreement between the County and Technical College System of Georgia (Adult Education Building)

·         Appointed Charlie Summerlin to Airport Authority to replace Jack Cathcart

·         Approved the annual grant for Family Connections

·         Approved the GaDOT contract for the replacement of the Caney Bay Bridge

·         Approved the lease of one vehicle for EMA with $15,000 paid from grant funds and one vehicle for the Tax Assessor’s office with $6,000 coming from their budget funds.

·         Approved the resolution allowing for the collection of E911 funds on prepaid cell phone sales per Department of Revenue mandate. 

On the Regular Agenda the commission covered the following items. 

The application by Joanie Marie Cox for an “On Premise Beer and Wine License” was discussed.  A motion was made and seconded to approve the request.  In discussion, the Commission reviewed the history of the applications for this location in Raybon called the “Rack Shack”.  Christian Cox, who is still operating the facility, had previously applied in his name, but concerns by the Commission caused him to withdraw the application and reapply in his wife’s name.  The facility was constructed too close to a local resident even though the ordinance had been reviewed with and provided to Mr. Cox prior to construction.  In a previous Commission, Mr. Cox did have the neighbor come to the meeting and speak on his behalf and provide a notarized statement in support of the facility.  With all things considered, the Commission voted 3-2 to deny the application.

   

The Commission rescinded a previous May 10^th motion to add Jimmy Woodard to the Georgia Forestry Commission and passed a motion to appoint Johnnie E. Crews to that Commission.

A discussion on an Airport Resolution restricting the height of structures within flight path was next.  The draft resolution as recommended by the FAA that was discussed at the work session and again in the regular meeting will be used to develop a draft ordinance for Brantley County.  This will be presented in the July Work Session.   

An agreement with the Brantley County Saddle Club to lease property just east of the Schlatterville Recreation Park was discussed next.  They wish to build a rodeo and livestock facility for Brantley County citizens and school students.  Letters of support from the high school and others have been provided to the Commission.  The lease has been a topic of conversation for over a year.  The Commission worked through requested edits tonight with the Saddle Club and counsel.  After some modifications, the new draft was approved by the Commission unanimously.  The attorney will work with the County Clerk to update the draft and signatures will be acquired.       

The Commission next discussed the appointment to 7 Rivers RDC.  The position was vacated when Jeannie Boland resigned as Development Authority Executive Director.  Commissioner Greg O’Quinn volunteered to take on this role.  His appointment was approved unanimously. 

The Commission agreed to move the July regular meeting to Thursday July 7^th at 6pm at the County Courthouse and cancel the work session which would have normally been July 5^th, the day after Independence Day.  Along those same lines, the Commission voted to change the time of all future Work Sessions to 6pm on the second Tuesday of each month.

The closed session was removed from the agenda.

Hortense Volunteer Fire Department Substation Update

The construction of the Hortense VFD 

substation on 110 North is nearly complete.

The apron is being formed and poured for 

the main entrance this week.  Once 

construction is complete, the HVFD team will 

equip the substation and schedule the proper 

ISO inspections so that this station carries 

the same ISO rating as the main HVFD station. 

This will dramatically lower homeowners 

hazard insurance premiums for their homes 

for anyone within 5 miles of this new facility.
 
When the County commission agreed to make 

the investment in new substations for our 

VFD teams throughout the County, a plan 

was developed in coordination with Skip 

Starling, ISO consultant, such that the 

facilities were located at the proper locations 

for the maximum benefit for not just that 

one VFD district but for the whole County. 

All departments were invited to the planning 

session and the locations were selected, 

properties located and donated by generous 

citizens in Raybon, Hoboken, Waynesville, 

Atkinson and High Bluff and the plan came 

to life.  There is a lot more to having a VFD 

substation approved for ISO than just 

building a building.  Water sources have to 

be located, the VFD substation has to be 

equipped with the right vehicles and 

equipment for the structures and citizens 

"in that area". Ensuring that each 

independent department has a substation 

that is within 5 miles of their neighboring 

substation allows for "automatic aid" 

agreements that also help lower ISO 

ratings.  And of course these substations 

have to have firefighters allocated so that 

there are sufficient volunteers with the 

right training, which has to be documented, 

to achieve certification.
 
Where there is a solid financial goal of 

lowering homeowners hazard insurance 

premiums with these investments, that can 

only come when the certification agency has 

inspected and insured that the location of 

that substation will have the facility, 

equipment and properly trained firefighters 

to reduce the response time to a residence 

or business in the event of a tragedy.  If you 

haven't considered volunteering for some 

role in the Volunteer Fire Department in your 

area, you should.  There are support persons 

who respond and provide much needed 

supplies (food, drink, fuel, etc) and other 

roles on up to the firefighters themselves. 

This is "our community".  If we work together 

we can continue to make it better.
 
A special thanks to all those men and women 

who serve in the ranks of the VFD and the 

Forestry. With the dry weather we are 

experiencing now, we all know that a major 

fire is only one spark or careless cigarette 

butt away.
 

June 2011 Work Session of the Brantley County Commission

The Commission started off the June 2011 Work Session by working with their guests from the Nahunta City Council.  The joint session of the Nahunta City Council and County Commission centered on the discussion of the upcoming SPLOST extension referendum slated for the November ballot.  Remember, this is not a NEW tax.  This is an extension of the same one cent Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax that is paying for the $8.5 million jail facility, paving 13.5 miles of roads currently and recently built the majority of the new Satilla Fields Recreation park near the Georgia Forestry.  After much discussion, both groups agreed to keep the City of Nahunta’s percentage of the Road portion of the SPLOST the same as in the past SPLOST referendum, 13.5%, even though the City’s population was somewhat less than in past years where SPLOST referendums were defined.   The City agreed to define a priority list of road projects and work with the County to coordinate the projects to stretch the SPLOST dollars.  The County developed a similar relationship with the City of Hoboken.  The attorney explained that since there was a “level 1” priority project on the SPLOST, that a formal intergovernmental relations agreement (IRA) would not have to be in place as previously believed.   

A discussion on the beer and wine license for the “Rack Shack” in Raybon was discussed.  The applicant, Joanie Cox, had completed the application that was previously completed in Christian Cox’s name.  The change was made as there were issues with the previous application.  No physical changes have been made to the facility.  This was placed on the regular agenda.

An item was put on the regular agenda to reconsider a previous motion to add Jimmy Woodard to the Forestry Commission, replacing Johnnie Crews in the place of Mr. Woodard.  

The team discussed a resolution adopting the FAA’s definition of construction limitation within a defined area around the airport.  The current airport engineering plans has a proposed resolution and there is more information available through the FAA.  The Commission instructed the County attorney to prepare a standard resolution so that the County could adopt the FAA’s normal restrictions.  Until the County has zoning in place, the FAA would still have jurisdiction over enforcement.  This item was placed on the regular agenda.

At the request of the Airport Authority, the Commission placed an item on the consent agenda to replace retiring Jack Cathcart with Charlie Summerlin. 

After a discussion about the Dangerous Dog ordinance, the Commission. on advice of counsel, decided to leave the ordinance as is.  

The Commission placed an item on the consent agenda approving the transfer of the Waycross Cable Company Franchise to the company purchasing their company.  This was not an extension.  They were merely transferring the existing franchise under the current terms to the new owners.   

    

The Commission placed a new seat belt use policy on the consent agenda.  During a routine review of insurance initiatives this item came to light.  

The Commission again reviewed the lease with the Brantley County Saddle Club for Schlatterville.  Mr. Lane had some questions about the language.  A handful of items were discussed and some modifications were made.  A new version of the agreement will be available for the Commission’s review at the Tuesday regular meeting.  This item was placed on the regular agenda.  

An item was placed on the consent agenda to approve Ms. Evon Griffin to the Planning Commission.  Mr. Mark White’s name was also up for consideration.  The Board knew they would have more openings this summer and will reach for Mr. White and others at that time if they are still willing to serve.  

An item was placed on the regular agenda to discuss an appointment to the Seven Rivers RCD.  There were some questions about the appointment and no volunteer names were currently available.  

An item was placed on the consent agenda to renew the Ware Correctional Institute – Inmate Work Detail at the same rate as the previous year.  

An item was also placed on the consent agenda to renew the rental agreement between the County and the State Properties Commission for the Adult Education Building.  

The County manager reported that on June 1^st the County actually received the Approved Permit to erect and operate the flashing school zones signs on 110 South at the Atkinson Upper Elementary School.  The County Manager and engineers have researched approved contractors, contacted those in our area and delivered them RFQ packets to acquire quotes for service.  The design of the crossings by the contractors has to be submitted to GaDOT for approval and then the erected system has to be approved by GaDOT prior to operation.  The goal of the Commission is to have this in place before school starts but, with so many agencies involved and the normal delivery of equipment under consideration, this could prove to be a challenge.  The Commission has vowed to move this along as swiftly as possible.  The application for this crossing was filed last summer.  

The County manager gave an update on various projects.  The courthouse parking lot is almost complete. The city storm water sewer drains from each direction under the street to the courthouse.  This caused every small shower to bring several inches of water bubbling up underneath the parking lot at the courthouse.  Once proper drainage was installed, the GaDOT was able to clean the pipe under Highway 82 from the courthouse to the canal by Jerry J’s, the water seems to flow like it should.  Though with the drought, it has not been well tested.

The County manager explained that the DNR permits were also in this week for the Atkinson Boat Ramp.  The permit has a 30 day comment period where ads are run in the paper to allow environmental concerns to be logged with DNR.  In parallel with this comment period, the County manager will request quotes from DNR and EPD certified construction companies that can install boat ramps in the flood plain.  We have through the end of October to utilize the grant funding and an extension is not out of the question. 

The County manager also updated the Commission on the Satilla Fields Recreation Park. The construction of the building is complete.  A net is has been specified and quotes are coming in so that this device can prevent foul balls from harming someone in the stands.  The football/soccer fields are shaping up and will be ready to play this fall.  Some concrete footers will be installed and the same bleachers from the baseball fields will be relocated.  Some restrooms will be installed at the football fields, as the ¼ mile trek from the football field to the restrooms at the baseball field is a bit much for the little ones and their parents and grandparents.  This will be a modest facility for bathrooms only and the existing sewer system will be used.  It was designed with this in mind.  One tournament was held this past weekend and more are being scheduled for July and August.  Contact the recreation department for more information.  

All departments have submitted their budgets for the 2012 budget cycle and these are being consolidated.  The first budget hearings are slated for later in June.  The Tax Assessor’s office is working to get the tax assessment notices out to all of the 13,500 plus parcels in Brantley County.  These documents are very confusing and citizens need to remember that the assessment notice IS – NOT – A – BILL!  Many other counties have experienced enormous confusion when these were mailed and, by definition of the law and the process that Atlanta dictated, the estimated tax amount will NOT BE what you will be asked to pay in the fall, as it was based on last year’s millage rate and next year’s millage will likely be less.  If this is the case, the estimates will be overstated.  

Finally, the Commission discussed the $6,000 water bill at the Brantley County Jail facility.  The Sheriff and Commission have discussed putting in their own sewage septic system for the facility.  It would not require a sewage treatment pond.  It would require multiple 100’ drain lines and larger tanks than normally used for homes or businesses.  But, the EPD has explained that based on State law, the City would need to approve the County installing its own system for the jail.  Since the City has called complaining last week and this week about inmates at the jail flushing items that clog the lines, they may be willing to do this. This activity causes the City maintenance problems with the sewage lines.  The County has offered the City to continue to use the water and pay a standard commercial rate per gallon for water and to implement a sewage system.  More discussions are planned on this.  The water/sewer bill at the jail in the first three months averaged less than $1000 per month.  Last month it was 6 times that amount.  The County wants to be a good neighbor but they want to do what is best for the tax payer too.  An adequate sewage system for the jail could be paid for in 4 to 5 months by offsetting the water bill. 

Memorial Day

A good crowd of mostly older Veterans and families of Veterans were in attendance at the annual Memorial Day Ceremony held at the Brantley County Courthouse to honor those who sacrificed and gave all for our country and for the freedoms we enjoy.  Bruce Davis provided musical entertainment, along with Wyatt Blount who played taps as the colors were raised and then lowered to half mast.  The guest speaker was a decorated Veteran from the Air Force who had served in Iraq and Afghanistan with Marine and Army infantry units.  He testified to the valor, honor, pride and sense of Patriotism that he saw demonstrated on a daily basis in those theaters.

As is tradition, the laying of the wreath at the monument at the base of the flag pole where the colors fly sealed the event.  Bruce led the group with God Bless America.  All speakers and all present seemed confident that the good Lord Jesus set the original example for one who gave His life so that others could live, and it is through His blessing that this nation and our County have enjoyed the progress that we have seen and the ability to endure the hard times.  It was a truly wonderful event.

Thanks to Frye Funeral Home and all the many groups and individuals who worked to make this ceremony a reality.  Remember what Memorial Day is all about.  It is more than hot dogs, hamburgers, going to the river, pool or beach.  It is about honoring our men and women in all branches of the military and civil service that have laid their life down in the name of God, honor and Country.  God Bless America........