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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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May 30, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.
Courthouse, Main Courtroom, 16001 Barnesville Street, Zebulon, Georgia
Click here to see the documents that have been uploaded with the agenda on the Pike County government page.
1. CALL TO ORDER ..... Vice-Chairman Tim Daniel
Everyone here but Chairman Briar Johnson and County Attorney Rob Morton. Vice-Chair Tim Daniel conducted this meeting. [Note from the Editor: Morton advised in a previous meeting that he would not be present at tonight's meetings. This is the first of two meeting.]
2. INVOCATION ..... Silent Invocation
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ..... Vice-Chairman Tim Daniel
4. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA - (O.C.G A. 50-14-1 (e) (1))
Motion to approve. Approved 4-0.
5. NEW BUSINESS a. 3RD READING AND FINAL ADOPTION OF THE FY 2023-2024 BUDGET.
1. Approve/Deny the 3rd Reading and Final Adoption of the FY 2023-2024 Budget.
Recommendation from the CM to approve 3rd reading and wait on final approval and execution of documents until after the 6:30 meeting because we will have numbers for insurance by then.
Motion to approve 3rd reading. Approved 4-0.
2. Authorize Chairman Briar Johnson and County Manager Brandon Rogers to execute the FY 2023-2024 Budget documentation, to include, but not limited to, advertising, pertinent dates, and all incorporated motions made as of this date, May 30, 2023.
Motion to table the final adoption of the budget until the 6:30 p.m. meeting. Approved 4-0.
Motion to adjourn. 5:35 p.m.
[Note from the Editor: The 6:30 p.m. Regular Called Meeting can be seen by scrolling down below this one.]
[Note from the Editor: If you appreciate being able to read information from county meetings for free on Pike County Times, please make a donation to Pike County Times through the PayPal link at the bottom of the page or by check to Pike County Times at PO Box 843, Zebulon so I can justify the amount of time that I am spending away from family. It may not seem like much but sitting in a meeting and then typing it up takes a lot more time than you might imagine! Thanks for reading Pike County's only FREE newspaper.]
May 30, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.
Courthouse, Main Courtroom, 16001 Barnesville Street, Zebulon, Georgia
Click here to see the documents that have been uploaded with the agenda on the Pike County government page.
1. CALL TO ORDER ..... Vice-Chairman Tim Daniel
Vice-Chair Tim Daniel conducted this meeting.
2. INVOCATION ..... Silent Invocation
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ..... Vice-Chairman Tim Daniel
4. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA - (O.C.G A. § 50-14-1 (e) (1))
CM made following suggestion. 7a. Approval of the budget. Public Comment. Arthur Key cannot make it. Can remove him from the agenda. Motion to approve changes to the agenda. Approved 4-0.
5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES - (O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1(e) (2))
a. Minutes of the May 10, 2023, Workshop.
b. Minutes of the May 10, 2023, Regular Monthly Meeting.
c. Minutes of the May 10, 2023, Executive Session.
Motion to approve all three sets of minutes. Approved 4-0.
6. INVITED GUEST
a. Jeff Massey - McGriff Insurance Services
6a. Jacqueline Turner to speak for McGriff to Pike County BOC. Went to market on this. Results were that several not competitive. Worked with Aetna to reduce to 6.5%. Average trend is 8 ½ to 12 1/2%. $10,000 to go toward technology support and admin costs to change to them. Move dental and vision to Anthem with a 3 year rate guarantee. Rates remain the same through 2026. Recommendation to move consumer benefits to Anthem as well. Recommendation to look at Allstate for whole life. Flores and Associates for HRA, FSA, Cobra, etc. This will open up for expansion in the future that we cannot currently offer. Flores is independent and it would not matter who does dental, vision, or medical in the future. 6 ½% is currently in the budget. Option 1 is the 6 1/2 % which is similar to what the employees have now. Employee contribution stays the same with the BOC absorbing the 6 1/2% cost. Keeps the HRA and traditional plans.
Option 4 is taken from the benchmark results of counties similar to Pike County. This is an average for a comparison.
If we choose option 1, we can move forward. Recommendation from CM Rogers. Motion to go with option 1. Approved 4-0.
7. REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS, DEPARTMENTS, COMMITTEES, AUTHORITIES
Approve/Deny the final Adoption of the FY 2023-2024 Budget.
Authorize Chairman Briar Johnson and County Manager Brandon Rogers to execute the FY 2023-2024 Budget documentation, to include, but not limited to, advertising, pertinent dates, and all incorporated motions made as of this date, May 30, 2023.
[Note from the Editor: This was added to the agenda at the beginning of the meeting. Since these numbers are already plugged into the budget, the budget was ready for final approval.]
No changes that need to be made from the 5:30 p.m. meeting. Motion to adopt the budget and approve the execution of the documents. Discussion: Millage rate anticipated to be about 9 or 9.5 mills. The tax assessment is coming. Try to explain the tax assessments that are going to be coming out in the mail. Approved 3-1 Jenkins opposed.
a. Monthly Reports submitted from County Departments and County Authorities, including a Revenue/Expenditure Statement for all departments and a summary check register. There are no Department Reports as they will be provided during the first Board meeting of June. Revenue/Expenditure Statement and Detail Check Register are included.
b. County Manager Report
Update on County finances for the following funds/accounts:
General Fund ..... $4,499,433.29
Fire Dept. Donations ..... $7,721.24
Cash Reserve Account ..... $467,621.62
Jail Fund ..... $31,694.94
E-911 Fund ..... $572,010.32
DATE Fund ..... $39,749.13
Juvenile Court Fund ..... $13,737.58
Residential Impact Fee ..... $1,129,354.94
Commercial Impact Fees ..... $166,269.02
C.A.I.P FUND ..... $346,443.55
General Obligation SPLOST 2022-2028 ..... $1,201,458.04
L.M.I.G. Grant (DOT) ..... $721,876.17
Motion to accept reports. Approved 4-0.
c. County Manager Comment
Understanding your tax notice. Mailed last week. There will be a change that is coming. This is not a bill. You’re getting an estimate. It will show 11.9% from last year (as is required by state law), but we won’t know what the final digest will be so we can’t tell the number until then. It is going to say last year’s millage rate.
The standard rate on residential property was $60 per square foot. It went up to $91 this year because the value has changed this year. If the estimate is incorrect, reach out to the Tax Assessor at 770-567-2002.
The assessments should be between 38 and 40% each year. When it is low, the county does not receive as much money from utilities as we are allowed to receive. The county is hoping to roll back to 9.5 for the millage rate. THIS IS NOT A BILL. DON'T SEND A CHECK. WAIT FOR THE BILL IN THE FALL. Click here to see the slideshow that was shown in the meeting: www.pikecoga.com Click on the TAX ASSESSMENT NOTICE link at the top of the page. [Note from the Editor: A copy of the slideshow is also on the Pike County Times Facebook page.]
d. Commission Reports.
Proctor. Congratulations to the county manager for completing county manager training. [Note from the Editor: Proctor noted that this happened some time back but the ceremony was held lately. That means that his required annual evaluation -- that has NOT been discussed or conducted yet this year -- should be better than last year, right?]
Here is a copy of last year's evaluation for County Manager Brandon Rogers: pikecountytimes.com/secondary/rogersevaluation5.26.22.pdf
Here is a copy of the article entitled, "BREAKING NEWS: PCT Speaks in Public Comment Regarding CM Rogers, Assistant CM Named, and Grievance Filed Against CM Rogers" from March 29, 2023 which lays out Pike County Times' repeated request for the annual required evaluation for County Manager Brandon Rogers and the reasons that the Commission as a whole needs to make some changes to how business is being conducted by CM Rogers on the behalf of the Pike County Commission based on how the public, employees, elected officials, and the commissioners are being treated by Rogers. pikecountytimes.com/secondary/BREAKINGNEWSrogers3.29.23.html
[Note from the Editor: Rogers has given out two questionable written reprimands of late to an employee (this is in blue so it IS my opinion), and yet he has not received even one written reprimand for breaking state law (the fireworks check) and buying the Christmas Tree--both of which were done without consultation to the members of the Board of Commissioners. http://www.pikecountytimes.com/secondary/BOC7.26.22.html has my write up which includes open records information on both checks.
And of course, some will say that Rogers doesn't have an annual required evaluation for Pike County anymore because he is employed month to month rather by a signed contract. Is that really where one would want to go in this discussion though because the first question asked by Pike County Times is going to be, WHY IS THAT?]
Jenkins. Millage rate. How much did the schools go up? We don’t know yet. This change will affect them too. It was noted that there are hopes of a rollback from the school board too, but the county does not control the school board or their budget.
e. County Attorney Report to Commissioners
None. [Note from the Editor: Morton noted at a previous meeting that he would not be in attendance at tonight’s meeting.]
9. NEW BUSINESS
a. Consider Tax Refund Application from Betty Korman in the amount of $379.62.
Filed an appeal on her property in 2021. Her house was measured incorrectly as well as saying that she had more than one bathroom. She was correct, and the assessment was corrected. She is entitled to 2020, 2019, and 2018 because the assessment was incorrect. Motion to refund. Approved 4-0.
b. Approve/deny sell of a 1994 Ford New Holland 555 D Backhoe Loader as surplus on GovDeals.
Amwaste purchased a new one so they no longer need ours. This is in bad shape and needs to go. Motion to sell. Approved 4-0.
c. Approve/deny agreement between Pike County and Hofstadter and Associates, Inc for engineering services.
This contract was sent to the county attorney, but Rogers has not been able to speak with Morton on this. Motion to table item until attorney can review it. Approved 4-0.
d. PUBLIC HEARING: To receive public input regarding REZ-23-06 - Trisha A and Christopher C Boyt Owner and R&B Portable Solutions, LLC Applicant request a rezoning from C-2 (General Commercial) to C-3 (Heavy Commercial) for property located at the Northeast corner of Highway 19 and Hugh Frank Drive Zebulon, GA. 30295, in Land Lot 33 of the 2nd Land District, further identified as Parcel ID Part of 077-010. The property consists of 3.2112+/- acres. The request is for a portable building sales lot. Commission District 3, Commissioner Jason Proctor.
It was noted that the commissioners can do the public comments together on this, but the vote has to be conducted separately on each item.
Planning and Development Director Jeremy Gilbert gave an overview on this saying that it is going from C2 to C3. It went from AR to C2 last year. The property owner has a person who wants to use this specifically. There are no violations.
Planning Staff recommended approval with one condition that all overlay conditions be met. The Planning and Zoning Board said two conditions including the staff recommendation and that any other use besides portable building sales must be approved by the BOC. Meets all requirements.
Conditions are: (from the post agenda)
1) All overlay requirements shall be met in accordance with Chapter 160 of the Pike
County Code.
2) Any other use other than beside a Portable Building Sales Lot will require approval
by the Pike County Board of Commissioners.
3) The road must be paved up to the driveway.
e. PUBLIC HEARING: To receive public input regarding SE-23-02 -.Trisha A and Christopher C Boyt Owner and R&B Portable Solutions, LLC Applicant request a special exception to allow outdoor storage in the overlay for property located at the Northeast corner of Highway 19 and Hugh Frank Drive Zebulon, GA. 30295, in Land Lot 33 of the 2nd Land District, further identified as Parcel ID Part of 077-010. The property consists of 3.2112+/- acres. The request is for a portable building sales lot. Commission District 3, Commissioner Jason Proctor.
Planning staff recommended Hwy 19 overlay prior to construction and brick or stone facing the road. Planning and Zoning recommended two staff recommendations with a buffer on US Hwy 19 and all buildings be built behind the initial structure. Noted that it is a proposed brick building with buffer.
Conditions are: (from the post agenda)
1) The Applicant shall go through the US Highway 19 Overlay Review prior to any construction on the property starting.
2) All portions of the permanent office building facing a public right-of-way shall be brick or stone or any combination thereof.
IN FAVOR:
Ben Jobenetti(?) Owner of business in Jackson who will be building this. Confirmed that the board has the images. Asked to not have to put the screen in the front and not put the buildings behind the initial building. Because of the road frontage, we want to use that to display our inventory.
OPPOSITION:
None.
Public Hearing was closed. Discussion.
Rogers said that he heard from the Chairman on this. Frontage on Frank Road. Concerned about the paving portion. Wherever their driveway is, it will be off of a paved road according to Pike County standards. This was discussed at the planning meeting. It is a public road so they can use it for frontage, but the dirt part of the road will need to be paved.
Guy. Can’t see asking them to display behind their front building. This is like a car lot except with portable buildings.
Proctor. Tallest building? Office structure height? Owner provided pictures. This will be similar to Forsyth. Concern from Planning Board is the screening buffer. They made discussion to move behind the regular building. Portable structures won’t meet the building structure requirements of the overlay, but they are portable structures and not permanent. Existing building at Forsyth with paved parking lot in the front.
Proctor asked about overlay process. Detailed landscape plan with architectural conceptual plan. That goes to the Planning and Zoning Board to make sure that it meets the building standards and requirements. They approve and then it goes to Jeremy Gilbert for a final. Paving added to the rezoning. The ordinance should require this already, but it can be added as a condition to ensure that it is done. The proposed site plan shows them only using part of this parcel for the display lot, but they are planning to use the rest of this at some point. Planning and Zoning was concerned about the portion of property that is not going to be in use at this time.
7d. Motion to approve the rezoning with 2 from Planning and Zoning with paving up to the driveway and no other use but portable buildings. Approved 3-1 with Jenkins opposed.
7e. Special exception. Motion to approve special exception with stipulations for items 1 overlay and 2 brick or stone but not 3 because he wants people to be able to see the buildings. Discussion that this is the permanent office building. Outdoor storage but not storage buildings? Correct. Portable storage building lot. Approved 3-1 with Jenkins opposed.
10. PUBLIC COMMENT (limited to 5 minutes)
a. Brandie Lynn to address the Board regarding Opioid Addiction.
Not present.
b. Arthur Key Jr to address the Board regarding petition for road and drainage repair to Motes Road.
This was removed at the beginning of the meeting.
Motion to go into Executive Session. 7:25 p.m. Approved 4-0.
Back in session at 7:55 p.m.
Motion to adjourn. 7:55 p.m. Approved 4-0.
[Note from the Editor: If you appreciate being able to read information from county meetings for free on Pike County Times, please make a donation to Pike County Times through the PayPal link at the bottom of the page or by check to Pike County Times at PO Box 843, Zebulon so I can justify the amount of time that I am spending away from family. It may not seem like much but sitting in a meeting and then typing it up takes a lot more time than you might imagine! Thanks for reading Pike County's only FREE newspaper.]