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.
If you enjoy reading Pike County Times, consider buying an advertisement for your business or sending a donation to support the only free online newspaper in Pike County. Donations can be sent to: The Pike County Times, PO Box 843, Zebulon, Georgia 30295. Click here to donate through PayPal. Thanks for supporting Pike County's only free online newspaper!
Tuesday, July 31, 2012 – Noon
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. LUNCHEON WORKSHOP: To provide for orientation of the Board of Commissioners, Interim County Manager, County Attorney and administrative staff to the new County Manager, Michael Phillips.
5. ADJOURNMENT
Agenda Subject to Revision
ZEBULON - There was a working lunch with all five commissioners, commission office employees, County Clerk Teresa Watson and County Attorneys Rob and Tom Morton. Michael (Mike) Phillips accepted the invitation to become the new county manager that commissioners extended during a Special Called Meeting this month. His annual salary would be $77,500. This is not the official meet and greet. That will come later on.
There was a working lunch with all five commissioners, commission office employees, County Clerk Teresa Watson and County Attorneys Rob and Tom Morton. Michael (Mike) Phillips accepted the invitation to become the new county manager in Pike County during a Special Called Meeting this month. His annual salary would be $77,500. This is not the official meet and greet. That will come later on.
They met today for a working lunch in this publicized meeting. There was a lot of small talk about backgrounds and finding what commissioners and the new count manager (CM) have in common. The new county manager has had experience with emergency management and the Sheriff’s Office. They are going to take another look at the EMA ordinance. There was praise for the volunteers with Pike County Emergency Services.
Rob Morton was praised by commissioners for his work as the Interim County Manager. Commissioner Don Collins said that Mr. Morton kept commissioners better informed than the former county manager. CM Phillips attended a staff meeting yesterday with department heads.
There was a short discussion about how to contact each of the commissioners since some prefer phone calls and some prefer email. “If something comes up, I’ll try to make sure that everyone gets the same information,” said CM Phillips. Ensuring that ALL commissioners are informed was stressed as important. Using email to keep everyone informed will be handy even with someone coming by the office so everyone can be kept up to date. Mr. Morton has stressed the importance of this. CM Phillips praised Mr. Morton for sending out emailed reports to commissioners to keep them informed. Mr. Powers and Chairman Mangham have asked for copies of these emails to go into their boxes instead of getting it by email. He wants to be sure that it doesn’t appear that some are getting information and some not getting that same information. The county manager will be the person who gives the official opinion for the entire Board of Commissioners too.
Everything was asked to go through the county manager by Mr. Rob Morton so that there will be a single point of accountability. This has been the normal operating procedure by the commissioners for the most part already. Mr. Morton said that this avoids the appearance of interfering with our county manager form of government. CM Phillips will have an open door policy as our county manager.
CM Phillips has been given a copy of all cases, etc. that were pending when the past county manager resigned. He was also provided with a list of county attorney concerns. Vehicle use policy and county facilities usage policy update. Personnel policy. Courthouse project. EMA ordinance. Staff meeting yesterday went well. It ran long yesterday and he got to meet staff and department heads then.
CM Phillips wants to be sure that Mr. Morton is kept in the loop until the transition period is completed. He praised Mr. Morton for working with him and answering questions over the past couple of weeks as he started getting up to speed. We would rather you take time to get up to speed and be ready when you hit the ground running, Commissioner Bass said. The staff was praised here in Pike County.
The commissioners and the county manager seem to be comfortable with each other. Contract terms are being worked up now. Mr. Morton said that they will be going over this and formalizing this, but currently there is a verbal contract with emails to back it up. He said that he is comfortable with whatever they want to do. He said that he would love to have a contract--and would rather have that. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t want to be here,” said Mr. Phillips. He has gotten familiar with the county before accepting this job and is familiar with the situation with the past county manager. “I’m very open,” he said. At this time, the county manager is under a 6 month contract with the county and a formal contract will follow after that time for a longer period of time if everything works out.
There was discussion about the Courthouse too. CM Phillips will be getting up to speed on it too. Commissioner Jarrett suggested him getting with each commissioner and show their district to him so he can get familiar with the county. He is going to be meeting with the mayors and leaders in the towns in Pike County. He mentioned strengthening those relationships with the towns.
Commissioner Collins mentioned strengthening our fire department (PCES). He also mentioned working to lower our ISO rating as a county. There are things that have been done since we had our last ISO and we might be able to go to a lower ISO.
ISO informed Chief Grant at the Molena ISO inspection that the entire county will soon be undergoing another inspection. This will come up in the next couple of weeks and they have purposely not given us a lot of time for this inspection countywide. Enhanced 911 was not included in the previous report--and neither were the turbo drafts that we bought specifically for this ISO. It was described as “glitches in the paperwork” by ISO. Another topic that came up was the possibility of the county paying rent to the city for this facility in Molena because it was paid for with their SPLOST money. They are preparing documentation for the county that will include a formal proposal to the county since their building is ready to be occupied. It looks very nice too!
Discussion about tax abatements after fires was discussed. There is a need for a formal policy. The Board of Assessors will be discussing this as well. The need for better communication between these two boards has been stressed. Mr. Morton said that this should be clarified in the future.
CM Phillips has made clear that he will put his opinion in there on different situations but he is not looking to jump in and take over everything at this point. That includes LOST negations and other topics. He is getting up to speed on Pike County and working with entities in Pike County which will foster good working relationships within our county.
Commissioner Bass mentioned utilizing the building on Adams Street for county use too. Her point was that it’s an asset and we need to use it.
I stayed until after 1 p.m. The meeting continued until a little after 2 p.m. I was very encouraged by the interaction between the new county manager and our commissioners.