The first item on the agenda was the continued discussion regarding the Georgia Department of Transportation (GaDOT) requested resolution around speed limits on local State and county roadways. The Chairman explained that in discussions with GaDOT the County manager had learned that the speed limits provided were those that were on record at the GaDOT offices. Some state roads have changes proposed, but all local roadways are listed with what GaDOT has on file. The Commission instructed the County manager to update the list and to get proposed changes from Commissioners on the State highway modifications and have that ready for review Thursday night’s regular agenda.
The County attorney presented the changes that were made to the Suttles and Associates architectural contract for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project for the Mental Health facility that is to be built near the Brantley County DFACS and Head Start facilities. The commission had already provided the Chairman with permission via a vote in the December meeting. As soon as the contracts are finalized, they will be executed.
The Commission reviewed the resolution from the airport authority requesting that the state reinstate the statewide funding for airports in rural communities. After some discussion the Commission placed the item on the consent agenda but told Airport Authority Chairman Billy Lee that he shouldn’t sit by the phone. The State has severe money problems with expected shortages for this year in excess of $270 million in the budget.
The Commission also placed an item on the consent agenda that allowed Constitutional Officers to use the Heritage Bank as an official depository of County Funds. An item in the audit of the county books in 2011 pointed out the need for a member of the Commission staff (the County Manager or Clerk) to be listed as a signatory on the accounts in the event you have Constitutional Officers transition out of office. The County Manager volunteered to work with the Constitutional Officers on this audit item.
All county files have been transferred from Golden Isles Engineering to Robert’s Civil Engineering in the event assistance is needed as GIEC has moved offices and will no longer be able to service Brantley County. A master services agreement was added to the consent agenda in the event any help is needed with any of these items.
The Commissioners heard a request from the Board of Tax Assessors. One of their members has resigned. So the Commission placed an item on consent agenda to appoint Calvin Taylor to that board.
While Mr. Billy Lee had the floor he also presented the Commission with a possible appointment to the Airport Authority. Mr. Ricky Raleigh is a pilot, has a plane and has contracted with the Airport Authority to build the first hanger consistent with the master plan that has been developed for the airport. Where Mr. Raleigh and his family own a home just south of the airport, their residency came into question in the meeting. The Commission discussed the balance of airport knowledge and participation with residency. The County attorney was asked to review the defining legislation for the Airport Authority to see what the stipulation was on residency. This item was placed on the regular agenda.
The commission reviewed a request from Nahunta Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) to place excess 2011 funds in the Dounty “capital outlay” account. All VFD funds are collected by the county and placed in individual VFD checking accounts consistent with state law as those funds cannot be mixed with general fund or other monies. In the discussion the Clerk explained that the intention for the request may have been to have 2011 funds listed in the 2012 budget. In the past the Commission has approved these funds on a purchase by purchase basis. No action was taken.
The commission placed an item on the consent agenda to approve the 2012 Indigent Defense Agreement.
The final invoices are in for the Buster Walker Road. The Commission expressed concern over the workmanship on a few places along that road. The County Manager and some Commissioners have met with engineers and members of GaDOT on the road. Where there are some rough spots, GaDOT has approved the road for their portion of the payment as Ricketson Construction met the minimum GaDOT construction standards. The Commission asked the County manager to meet with Ricketson Construction and get a couple of Commissioners involved to ride the road and compare Waynesville with Buster Walker while the contractor is in the vehicle.
The Commission placed an item on the consent agenda to approve the Audit Engagement Letter with BYRT CPAs that had been reviewed and approved by the county attorney. Work closing the 2011 books is already under way.
The Commission discussed that interest and penalties for homestead seniors that were demonstrating hardship cases to the Tax Commissioner and working out payment plans. Based on the law, on the 90th day that taxes are past due, a 10% penalty of the outstanding balance is added. So if a senior homestead owner presented a hardship case and was allowed a 6 month payment plan, the penalty in the 3rd month could wipe out a significant portion of the payments they had made. The Commission generally agreed that as long as all payments were being made on time that the penalty should not be charged. The county attorney was asked to meet with the Tax Commissioner and put together a frame work for Thursday night’s meeting. This item was placed on the regular agenda.
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