Brantley County Commission January 2012 Regular Meeting

The Brantley County Commission handled a ½ dozen items in their first regular meeting in 2012. Mr. Don Aycock spoke to the Commission regarding the Senior Citizen Tax situation. He encouraged the Commission to approve the item on the agenda and to install microphones so that seniors could hear the Commissioners while they were conducting the County’s business. Others in the crowd dittoed those comments. The Chairman explained that previous requests had been heeded and that equipment was being researched that could work with the older system. He also explained that changes had to be run by the Superior Court Judges that is the steward over the courtroom. But he/they are usually accommodating.

The consent agenda was modified and then approved by the Commission unanimously. Those items included:
• Adopting the resolution recommending the State reinstate aviation funding
• Adopting the resolution approving the depository of County funds for Constitutional Officers
• Approving the master services agreement for civil engineering services with Roberts Civil Engineering
• Appointing Calvin Taylor to the Tax Assessors Board to Replace Angela Hicks
• Approving the Audit Engagement Agreement with BYRT, CPAs for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013
• Appointing Gary Crawford of the Mt. Calvary area to the Brantley County Airport Authority

The first item on the regular agenda was the continued discussion regarding the Georgia Department of Transportation (GaDOT) requested resolution around speed limits on local State and County roadways. County Manager explained that he had worked with GaDOT and was clearing up a number of inconsistencies in the resolution. The Commission approved the Chairman executing the resolution once the modifications were complete.

The Commission next discussed possibly forgiving the interest and penalties for those demonstrating hardship cases to the Tax Commissioner and working out payment plans with her. Based on the law, on the 90th day that taxes are past due, a 10% penalty of the outstanding balance is added. Interest is also calculated on outstanding sums. If the payment plan is more than 6 months, the penalty automatically applies on the outstanding balance. The Commission reviewed a resolution provided by the County attorney that provided an application process for those hardship cases to complete requesting the Commission waive interest and penalties as long as the contract terms were completed on time. The Chairman requested the resolution be modified to include the interest. It was and was then approved unanimously by the Commission.

The Commission reviewed a proposal to set the qualifying fees for the 2012 election at 3% of the base salary of the position. A schedule of individual fees was provided for the Commissioner’s review. The fees were approved by the Commission.

A letter from the Brantley County Historical Society was reviewed. They requested the use of the old Hoboken voting precinct building which is no longer used and in need of significant repair. The Commission approved the Historical Society’s use of the old building as long as they paid to have it moved.

There being no further business before the board, the meeting was adjourned.