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Editor Becky Watts: Phone # 770-468-7583 editor(@)pikecountytimes.com
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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Wednesday, December 11, 2024 - 9:00 a.m.
ZEBULON - The Pike County Board of Commissioners met in the upper courtroom of the courthouse on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at 9 a.m. for a regularly scheduled meeting. The meeting was attended by Commissioners James Jenkins, Jason Proctor, Tim Guy, Tim Daniel, and Chairman Briar Johnson as well as County Clerk Angela Blount and Interim County Manager/County Attorney Rob Morton.
The meeting was open to the public was broadcast live on Pike County Times' Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/pikecountytimes. Past meetings can be seen in the video box pinned to the top of the FB page.
[Note from the Editor: It will be nice when our county joins so many of the surrounding cities and counties to record and broadcast its meetings in a central place so citizens who cannot attend the meetings can watch at their convenience. Especially those who do not have a Facebook account because there are more people out there than you know who don't like Facebook.]
Click here to see the documents that have been uploaded with the agenda on the Pike County government page.
1. CALL TO ORDER ........ Chairman J. Briar Johnson
2. INVOCATION ........ Keith Ford
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ........ Chairman J. Briar Johnson
4. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA - (O.C.G A. § 50-14-1 (e) (1))
Morton. Incoming Commissioner Ken Pullin asked to postpone item M until he goes into office in January. Also a request to postpone item K for the same reason. Motion to approve the amended agenda. Approved 5-0.
5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES - (O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1(e) (2))
a. Minutes of November 12, 2024, Regular Monthly Meeting.
Motion to approve the minutes from November 12, 2024 meeting. Approved 5-0.
6. INVITED GUEST - NONE
7. 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.
Motion to accept the reports. Approved 5-0.
b. County Manager Report
Update on County finances for the following funds/accounts:
General Fund ...... $1,600,847.75
Fire Dept. Donations ...... $10,803.50
Cash Reserve Account ...... $18,085.56
Jail Fund ...... $35,600.78
E-911 Fund ...... $13,082.41
DATE Fund ...... $27,329.48
Juvenile Court Fund ...... $13,746.25
Residential Impact Fee ...... $376,409.87
Commercial Impact Fees ...... $32,100.34
C.A.I.P FUND ...... $118,341.43
General Obligation SPLOST 2022-2028 ...... $1,019,941.98
L.M.I.G. Grant (DOT) ...... $182,382.30
c. County Manager Comment
Working on the budget calendar. Modified for only one public hearing last year. Do you want to have more than one public hearing and three public readings? Johnson said yes and Jenkins as well. Consensus to go back to the previous schedule. [Note from the Editor: Thank you to our commissioners for being willing to hold these meetings so the public can attend. No one can accuse the commissioners of trying to hide anything or say that they can't attend any of these public hearings if there is more than one as there was before the past county manager changed it last year.]
Based on some changes, we are short one employee in the Commission Office. Would like to hire a payroll clerk. Asked for permission to hire the clerk with Angela helping with this until someone is hired. Motion to advertise for a payroll clerk. Approved 5-0.
In addition to postponing K and M, asking to extend advertising for the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Regional 6 Advisory Council, 2 Rivers RC&D, and 2 DFACS appointments. Approved 5-0.
Asked prior to the meeting, working with Atlanta Paving for dirt roads. Scott and Ward Roads still need some engineering work. Daniel Road on the list too. We are looking at January 6 before we can start because the pavement plant is closing til then.
Jason Proctor was honored him for his 5 years of service. [Note from the Editor: Pike County Times would have included pictures of Commissioner Jason Proctor being honored for his service during the meeting and at the celebration after the meeting, but he requested that The Pike Journal Reporter be the only media source to take pictures. Look for photos in a future Pike Journal Reporter.]
d. Commissioner Reports
Jenkins. Like to see us advertise for county manager and run it til January 31. Would give us 6 ½ weeks. Motion to go ahead and start advertising so ready when he does come on board. Approved 5-0.
Ranchland Estates. Issues with the dam and speeding. Citizens asked for a 3 way stop to deter some of the speeding. Motion for a 3 way stop at Ranchland Gap and Watering Hole Pass. Approved 3-0. Morton. We met on the issue and are putting some signs out there for the culdesacs, striping, etc.
Due to the traffic, would like to add Starks Road to the SPLOST list. There was a motion to add it to the last at the previous meeting even though there was a question of whether SPLOST funds could be used on it.
Assessor Report. 6 pages of things that we already knew, but he asked about the reassessment of houses.
Chairman Johnson. Thanked Proctor for 5 years of service. Said that there was a cookie cake to celebrate afterward. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Next meeting is January 8.
e. County Attorney Report to Commissioners
Granted motion to dismiss in the Walker Chandler case. Finalized in favor of the county. Chandler still seeking action against Morgan.
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - NONE
9. NEW BUSINESS
a. Approve/deny renewal of alcohol license (Pouring – beer, wine, and distilled spirits) for Tracy Wallace d/b/a Barnstormer’s Grill
Motion to approve. Approved 5-0.
b. Approve/deny renewal of alcohol license (Retail Sales – beer and/or wine) for Mark McKernan, Grey Wolf Inc d/b/a Hunters Corner, 12471 Highway 18, Williamson, GA. Applicant has met criteria.
Motion to approve. Approved 5-0.
c. Approve/deny renewal of alcohol license (Retail Sales – beer and wine) for Parvez Dawoodani d/b/a Mountain View Convenience Store, 3181 Hwy 19 South, Meansville, GA. Applicant has met criteria.
Motion to approve. Approved 5-0.
d. Approve/deny renewal of alcohol license (Retail Sales – beer) for Naushad Rehmatullah, Zebulon Investment LLC d/b/a Cadies Corner, 10030 Hwy 19 North, Zebulon, GA. Applicant has met criteria.
Motion to approve. Approved 5-0.
e. Consider one appointment to the Pike County Water and Sewerage Authority to fill an expired five-year term, set to expire December 31, 2029. Applicant has met criteria.
Mark Whitley. Staff recommends approval. Motion to approve. Approved 5-0.
f. Consider one appointment to the Three Rivers Regional Commission Board to fill an expired one-year term, set to expire December 31, 2025. Applicant has met criteria.
Rick Calhoun. Staff recommends approval. Motion to approve. Approved 5-0.
g. Consider one appointment to the Pike County Board of Health to fill an expired six-year term, set to expire December 31, 2030. Applicant has met criteria.
Mike Powell. Staff recommends approval. Motion to approve. Approved 5-0.
h. Consider one appointment to the Pike County Family and Children Services Board to fill an expired five-year term, set to expire December 31, 2029. Applicant has met criteria.
Patricia Beckham. Staff recommends approval. Motion to approve. Approved 5-0.
i. Consider two appointments to the Pike County Joint Board of Elections and Registration to fill an expired four-year term, set to expire December 31, 2028. Applicants have met criteria.
Holly Ortiz and Frankie Murphy. Staff recommends approval. Motion to approve both appointments. Approved 5-0.
j. Consider two appointments to the J. Joel Edwards Library Board to fill an expired three-year term, set to expire December 31, 2027. Applicants have met criteria.
Patsy Page and Joy Walker. Staff recommends approval. Motion to approve both applicants. Approved 5-0.
k. Consider three appointments to the Pike County Industrial Development Authority Board to fill an expired four-year term, set to expire December 31, 2028. Applicants have met criteria.
Postponed until January 8, 2025.
l. Consider three appointments to the Pike County Agribusiness Authority to fill an expired three-year term, set to expire December 31, 2027. Applicants have met criteria.
Mathew Anderson, Reggie Blount, Mack Crawford, and Ray Brumbeloe. 3 appointments. Staff said that all would make great appointments. 3 are serving already. Jenkins said that he would make a motion for Mathew Anderson. Approved 3-2 with Daniel and Johnson opposed. Motion to appoint Blount and Brumbeloe. Approved 5-0.
m. Consider three appointments to the Pike Zoning Board to fill an expired four-year term, set to expire December 31, 2028. The membership will include one (1) representative from the At-Large District, one (1) representative from District 3 and one (1) representative from District 4. Applicants have met criteria.
Postponed until January 8, 2025.
n. Consider use of Courthouse Grounds from Kacie Edwards with the Pike County Chamber of Commerce on Friday, December 13, 2024, for the Christmas Parade.
Motion to approve. Approved 5-0.
o. Approve/deny for Chairman Johnson to sign proclamation honoring the 30th Pastoral Anniversary of Reverend Travis L. Ferguson, Pastor of the Old Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, and proclaim Sunday, January 26, 2025, as Reverend Travis L. Ferguson Day.
Motion to approve. Approved 5-0.
p. Consider Tax Refund application from Dianna Jones in the amount of $84.14.
A bonus room was not finished so the amount is requested for the refund. Motion to approve. Approved 5-0.
q. Consent of appointment of Library Manager.
Recommended Tory Merritt as Library Manager and Alla Drake to her previous rate of pay. Provided documentation prior to this meeting. Motion to approve Merritt as Library Manager and return of Alla Drake to previous position. Approved 5-0.
r. Notice of Lead Status Unknown Water Service Line for 70 Gwyn Street.
City of Zebulon is going through this process. They will have to do the remediation if anything is found.
s. Notice of Lead Status Unknown Water Service Line for 331 Thomaston Street.
City of Zebulon is going through this process. They will have to do the remediation if anything is found.
t. Approve/deny the FY 2023-2024 Final Budget Amendments and Resolution.
Clint Chastain can answer any questions. He has proposed these amendments to the budget. Motion to approve. Approved 5-0.
u. Consider direct billing with Anthem/Cason Group.
Met with McGriff on December 5. They requested that we consider going with a direct billing process. The prior county manager had started this but never finalized this. That will provide easier access for employees to make changes, etc. Motion to approve. Approved 5-0.
v. Discussion of Workers Compensation Insurance Renewal.
Provided information. ACCG $113,005. National Liability and Fire through McGriff $95,013. Bid Co. $97,000. Recommended to go with the low bidder. Johson. We’ve been with ACCG for many years. What about next year? We don’t want to go back and forth. Morton. That is a $15,000 difference. Motion to go with low bidder. Approved 5-0.
w. Discussion of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, Insurance.
State legislation requirement. Sought proposals and got a quote from Met Life through ACCG for $8,140. Motion to approve. Approved 5-0.
x. Approve use of ARPA funds to pay for Digital Aerial Mapping.
Provided contract by Eagle View related to the flyover and tax assessments. There was discussion of Google versus flyover at the Tax Assessor meeting earlier this week. The Consent Order specifically says a flyover. These ARPA funds have to be spent over the next 2 years. This will be $16,000 per year for 6 years. Motion to use ARPA funds for this purpose. Motion to approve and sign the contract. Discussion: Jenkins. Did anyone call the state about Google maps? Morton. A call was made. There is only one county in the state using Google. Approved 5-0.
y. Approve use of ARPA funds to pay for Compensation Study.
3 proposals. Removed employees not directly under the CM. UGA proposal of $19,881 for the study. Low bidder. Motion to approve. Approved 5-0.
z. Approve use of ARPA funds for the purchase of a Sheriff’s Department vehicle with outfitting.
$53,727. Motion to approve purchase with outfitting. Approved 5-0.
aa. Approve use of ARPA funds for the purchase of guardrails for Roberts Quarters Road and Concord-Hollonville Road.
Inspected this and recommended installation. Roberts Quarters and Concord-Hollonville Road. $16,664 and $63,625. Johnson. This has been needed for a long time. ARPA funds have to be encumbered by December 31. Price is so high on Concord-Hollonville Road because needed in several sections. Motion to approve. Approved 5-0.
bb. Approve use of ARPA funds for the purchase of a utility trailer for Public Works and Building and Grounds.
Contacted in August about this. We lost the utility trailer after it was damaged by a 3rd party to transport materials. Quotes $4800 for trailer without dumping abilities. $12,000 with dumping capabilities. Discussion. The Rec Authority used the trailer. Motion to approve the $12,000 trailer for the dumping capability. Approved 5-0.
cc. Discussion of ARPA Encumbrances.
Finance Director Chastain has given details. $1,641,705.50 in unencumbered ARPA funds. We have received a list from Water and Sewer request for $1,900,000 for water projects. We moved ARPA funds to debt service at one point, but that was not authorized so we are asking to move back to Water and Sewer Authority and we will be able to gain the interest on this. We will probably go with $1,900,000 to ensure that we have encumbered all of the amount but only spend up to the total amount of the ARPA funds. Motion to encumber the funds. Discussion. This is the end of the ARPA funds then? Yes, we have to encumber by December 31 and spend in 2 years. This way we don’t have to return the funds. Approved 5-0.
dd. Consider the award of the McKinley Road bid.
Opened the bids in a different format than the past. Mark Whitley hosted the bid opening. 3 attended the December 3 opening. High bid. $2,305,343. $1,291,184 low bid. Asked to award to McKinley Road to the low bidder and use ARPA funds for this. Motion to award to McLeRoy as the low bidder and use ARPA funds. Timeline? Utility lines and water lines have to be addressed. Probably not occur until March or April of next year. Preconstruction conference will occur next year. Approved 5-0.
Morton. Had employee Christmas gathering yesterday. Applauded Angela and Heather for their work in planning. Thank you to everyone who helped with this. Thank you to the BOC for authorizing this expenditure. Heard great reports. [Note from the Editor: Pike County Times was out of town, or there would have been pictures of this annual event. Our employees are the best thing about our county!]
10. PUBLIC COMMENT (Limited to 5 minutes per person) - NONE
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION - NONE
12. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn. 10 a.m.
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