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Wednesday, February 10, 2016 – 9:00 a.m.
Courthouse Annex, 79 Jackson Street, Zebulon, Georgia
Tim Guy and Tim Daniel are missing from the meeting today. [We were advised later in the meeting that Commissioner Guy was out of town due to a business commitment and Commissioner Daniel was with his mother. She passed away later this same day.] County Clerk Jo Ann Wrye is here to take down the minutes. County Manager (CM) John Hanson and County Attorney Rob Morton are also in attendance. [County Attorney Tom Morton was not in attendance because he is fighting some of this same crud that everyone else is dealing with right now.]
1. CALL TO ORDER............................................Chairman J. Briar Johnson
2. INVOCATION…………………………………………………………………………Frank Winfrey
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE...................................................................Chairman J. Briar Johnson
4. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA - (O.C.G A. § 50-14-1 (e) (1))
5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES - (O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1(e) (2))
a. Minutes of the January 26, 2016 Regular Monthly Meeting.
b. Minutes of the January 28, 2016 Special Call Meeting.
6. INVITED GUESTS
a. Employees to be recognized for their service to Pike County.
Terrell Moody has worked with the county for 15 years. They praised his work as the coroner as well as his work on his budget each year. He is not here today.
Elizabeth Self was with the county from 94 to 99 but is being commended for her 5 years of service right now with research to find out exactly how long she has worked so she can receive commendation for her entire service. She was praised for always having a smile on her face by the County Manager. Magistrate Judge Marcia Callaway-Ingram said that Elizabeth is a blessing to her co-workers and to the public. Rob Morton said that every time we’ve walked over there to the office, you’ve always been pleasant and it’s always been a pleasure to work with you.
Sheriff Thomas has been with the county for 15 years. County Manager John Hanson praised him and his staff for their professionalism. Commissioner Powers praised the Sheriff and said that the commissioners could always call on him for budget cuts, etc. and he always worked with them. A couple of people from the audience spoke as well.
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.
b. County Manager Report
Update on County finances for the following funds/accounts:
General Fund ............................................................................................ $3,591,208.30
Fire Dept. Donations........................................................................................ $3,943.39
Cash Reserve Account................................................................................. $613,574.84
Jail Fund ........................................................................................................ $19,061.39
E-911 Fund .................................................................................................... $26,377.93
DATE Fund ................................................................................................... $36,896.65
Juvenile Court Fund....................................................................................... $16,198.20
Residential Impact Fee ................................................................................ $328,968.29
Commercial Impact Fees ............................................................................... $13,923.90
C.A.I.P FUND............................................................................................... $26,896.69
General Obligation SPLOST Tax Bond Sinking Fund, 2011...................... $555,046.19
L.M.I. Grant (DOT)....................................................................................... $41,357.96
There was a discussion on budgeting. Commissioner Jenkins pointed out that general property taxes are about $600,000 below where we should be. CM Hanson said that people haven’t paid the taxes yet. It will come back up to where it should be as the year goes on to our year end at July. It was also pointed out that TAVT has shorted our county with auto taxes. We could lose $35,000 to $40,000 because of this. The true up will even out some of this and legislation has been presented to fix this. Discussion that building permits are up too.
c. County Manager Comment
Both Tims are absent today. Please keep Commissioner Daniel in your thoughts and prayers. He is with his mother today. [Note from the Editor: His mother has passed on since this meeting. Please keep his family in prayer.] Commissioner Guy had something to take care of today out of town today. CM Hanson noted that Commissioner Guy has completed his core with ACCG, and commended him for this.
Govdeal.com has some items online now. Trucks and trailers and furniture will go through the 12th.
We are working on rates on our accounts. CM Hanson is talking with our current bank as well as looking at other options to better use money that is sitting in our accounts.
It’s budget time. He is looking forward to sitting down with all of the departments and hearing their needs and working for the good of the citizens.
Mrs. Beckham spoke to him prior to the MLK Parade about having a fire truck in the parade and there wasn’t one in the parade so he is going to address this. [Note from the Editor: I spoke to the Chief today on the scene of a fire about this. He advised that someone was supposed to drive the truck in the parade and couldn’t find a last minute replacement. He apologized that a truck wasn't in the parade that day. He did note that there are qualifications for those who drive those trucks though and not just anyone can drive them.]
d. Commissioner Reports
No comments from commissioners. Chairman Johnson attended the 4 Chaplains annual service. He praised them for a job well done.
e. County Attorney Report to Commissioners.
Tom Morton has bronchitis and could not be here today. Our new probation services provider begins at the end of this month. Contract is finalized. Same as Magistrate Court. Their closest office is Thomaston but will be meeting here in Pike County with probationers.
There were a lot of folks for the zoning application on the rehab center in Molena. Since they have withdrawn their application, that application has died because of it.
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Planning and Development Director David Allen advised that nothing has changed for items a, b, or c.
a. Approve/Deny the Second Reading of Text amendment to the Pike County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 155, Subdivisions, Section 155.20 (B)(3) and (4), relative to certain submittal requirements for preliminary plats.
Motion to approve all three. Discussion: Is this for all three? Just for A and then do B and C together so Chairman Johnson can read them aloud. Approved 3-0.
b. Approve/Deny the Second Reading of Text amendment to the Pike County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 155, Subdivisions, Section 155.35 (C), (D), and (E), relative to certain submittal requirements for final plats.
c. Approve/Deny the Second Reading of Text amendment to the Pike County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 156, Zoning Code, Section 156.275 (M-2C zoning), relative to the minimum size requirements of tracts for industrial parks.
Motion to approve B and C. Approved 3-0.
9. NEW BUSINESS
a. Consider one appointment to the Pike County Board of Appeals to fill a three-year term, set to expire February 9, 2019. Applicants have met criteria.
Meredyth Sorrow. James Davidson. Steven Yerkes. Board of Appeals has recommended the renewal of Meredyth Sorrow. Motion to approve Meredith Sorrow. Approved 3-0.
b. Approve/deny surplus items.
CM Hanson wants to sell these and look into using the funds for first response type vehicles. Motion to approve these items to go on govdeals.com. Approved 3-0.
c. Approve/deny Quarterly Budget Amendments.
Commissioner Jenkins asked for an explanation on our budget and some of the funds that didn’t look like they lined up. CM Hanson explained the difference and said that he could get more specifics to him if needed. Motion to approve. Approved 3-0.
10. PUBLIC COMMENT- (Limited to 5 minutes per person)
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None
12. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn. 9:34 a.m.
Agenda subject to revision.
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