Pike County Times
The Pike County Times, PO Box 843, Zebulon, Georgia 30295. Click here to donate through PayPal. Becky Watts: Phone # 770-468-7583 editor@pikecountytimes.com
 
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This online news website is owned and operated by Becky Watts. The Editor can be reached at 770-468-7583 or at editor(at)PikeCountyTimes(dot)com. Pike County Times is a website for citizens to keep up with local events and stay informed about Pike County government. It began on November 13, 2006 as a watchdog on county government and has turned into an online newspaper.

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REGULAR BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MONTHLY MEETING
Wednesday, November 14, 2012 – 9:00 a.m.
Courthouse Annex, 79 Jackson Street, Zebulon, Georgia

1. CALL TO ORDER.....................................................................................Chairman Doug Mangham

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE....................................................................Chairman Doug Mangham

3. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA - (O.C.G A. 50-14-1 (e) (1))

4. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES - (O.C.G.A.§ 50-14-1(e) (2))
Minutes of the October 30, 2012 Regular Monthly Meeting.

5. INVITED GUESTS

Kim Irby spoke on the behalf of the family of Ryan “Hoot” Wilson who was killed one month ago when his truck flipped off of a bridge on Buffington Road. The family has asked for guard rails to be installed on this bridge which only has a 13 inch concrete barrier so that no other family has to go through what they have gone through. She said that another young lady died at this bridge two years ago as well. 1970's requirements are for a 24 inch barrier but this bridge is older than that with a 25 foot drop off if someone goes over the barrier. She also asked for the bridge to be named after her cousin. Chairman Doug Mangham said that they could not take action on this today because it was not on the agenda, but that they would discuss this and follow up on it.

6. REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS, DEPARTMENTS, COMMITTEES, AUTHORITIES
a. Monthly Reports submitted from County Departments and County Authorities, including a Revenue/Expenditure Statement for all departments, and a summary check register.
b. County Manager Report

▫ Update on County finances for the following funds/accounts:
General Fund $196,187.30
Jury Account $0.00
Cash Reserve Account $176,368.66
Jail Fund $20,798.56
E-911 Fund $101,336.41
DATE Fund $15,309.63
Juvenile Court Fund $25,304.81
Residential Impact Fees $278,700.52
Commercial Impact Fees $17,822.44
General Obligation SPLOST Tax Bond Sinking Fund, 2011 $766,352.96

Commissioner Bass asked about the increase of $100,000 in cash reserves that has happened since the last meeting. CM Phillips advised that he did not have a good answer for this though some of the funds are starting to come in for taxes. She also noted that there was a decrease in the general fund of $613,058 to which CM Phillips advised that the county has paid a lot of bills. He advised that the county is utilizing the money that it has in an effort to avoid borrowing on the tax anticipation (TAN) note.

c. County Manager Comments

- Courthouse renovation update.

CM Phillips said that the renovation is going well. The outer fence is now down and they are preparing to landscape. He also advised that they are bringing in some store furniture and equipment to see if they can use this and reduce needed items for offices. He also said that they are completing the walkway around the courthouse.

- Update on any pertinent departmental issues.

He said that Voter Registrar Sandi Chamblin needs to hire a Deputy Registrar to work in the office. She had cut back from two part-time Deputy Registrars to one but needs this additional registrar to maintain business in the office while she and the other Deputy Registrar are doing redistricting as well as other things that are coming up in this office. Registrar Chamblin spoke to the commissioners and asked for an increase in her budget so she can hire this additional part-time worker. She said that she would spend as little as possible but stressed that there were some things that need to be addressed.

Brenda Payne has been hired to fill the Human Resources Accounting position that was open in the commission office. She was hired at $30,000 which is the same as Jo Ann Wrye did when she worked in this position.

- No draw as yet to the recently approved TAN line of credit.

- Update on animal control research.

CM Phillips said that he is researching what can be done over the next year or two. He said that he is trying not to say that they county will do anything immediately because the county is "financially stressed" but said that he understands that this is a priority for citizens and for the commissioners and that it is not being overlooked. He said that it is simply a case of trying to do best we can with what the money that we have. Commissioner Bass said that she thinks this is being kicked down the road and wants to see a plan in two weeks at the next meeting. Commissioner Bass made a motion to for the County Manager to present a plan for animal control in Pike County in two weeks at the next meeting. Approved 5-0.

d. Commissioner Reports

Update 11.23.12:

District 1 Commissioner Carol Bass went back to the Securus System for the Jail from the past meeting. She asked the County Manager to present costs to the board because she has been advised that the old system is problematic and there is a need for a new inmate tracking system. (The discussion about the software can be read by clicking here.)

She also asked who were the "senior persons" assigned vehicled that are referenced in the county vehicle ordinance. CM Phillips advised that this references the fire department batallion chiefs, the fire chief, and the EMA director. It's either 5 or 6 vehicles.

She asked for verification that the Board of Education authorization (this authorization allows bus drivers to park their personal vehicles on county land for the time being) had been discussed and voted on in a previous meeting. She was advised by County Attorney Rob Morton that it had. She also asked for an update on the baseboards in the Courthouse and was advised that there will be wood trim in all of the offices where the public can see it and that there will be plastic baseboards in closets, in the vault, etc. The question was asked of how much this would cost extra but there was no answer for this at the meeting.

Update 11.26.12:

e. County Attorney Report to Commissioners

7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

a. Consideration to lease Molena Fire Station, carried over from October 10, 2012 Regular Monthly Meeting.

8. NEW BUSINESS

a. Approval/Denial of Pike County Library Renovation bid from McLeRoy, Inc.

b. David Allen desires to address the Board regarding Ella Alexander, of Chapman Rd., request to grandfather in her dog breeding business, “Ella’s Pets”.

c. Consideration to release old fire station back to the City of Williamson.

d. Approval/Denial of Renewal for Alcohol License (Pouring) for Beer and Wine for Ron Alexander, Barnstormer’s Grill, 349 Jonathan’s Roost Road, Williamson, Georgia. County Manager recommends approval, applicant has met all criteria.

e. Present GEBCorp Resolution to be signed by Commissioners

f. Approval/Denial of request from The American Legion Post 197 to use the Courthouse grounds on December 15, 2012 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for a Chicken Q.

g. Consideration of the Chief Magistrate 2013 salary.

h. Approval/Denial of the Farm City Week Proclamation.

9. PUBLIC COMMENT- (Limited to 5 minutes per person)

10. EXECUTIVE SESSION

11. ADJOURNMENT

Agenda subject to revision.

Submitted 11.7.12
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