Butts County Georgia

June 9, 2014 – Regular Meeting Minutes

Posted on July 16, 2014 Updated on July 16, 2014

Opening:

A regular meeting of the Butts County Board of Commissioners was called to order at 6:00 PM, Monday on June 9, 2014 in the C. Wayne King Auditorium, Jackson, Georgia by Chairman Roger McDaniel. Commissioners present at this time were McDaniel, Henderson, Hodges, Douglas, and Patterson. County Administrator, Michael Brewer led the invocation.

Present:

Roger D. McDaniel, Chairman
Robert L. Henderson, Sr., Vice-Chairman
G.S. “Gator” Hodges, Commissioner
J. Keith Douglas, Commissioner
Mike Patterson, Commissioner
Michael Brewer, County Administrator
Crystal Griggs-Epps, County Clerk
Michael O’Quinn, County Attorney

The Budget Workshop was called to order by Chairman McDaniel at 1:10PM. The County Administrator, Michael Brewer read aloud the County’s revenues while the County Controller, Chiquita Barkley later went over the County’s operational budget. Nancy Washington and Charles McKeehan attended the meeting to help explain the mil rate. The Tax Commissioner explained that there are three outstanding utility payments that will add to the revenue once paid. Mr. Brewer advised that TAVT is a moving target therefore, it was estimated less than what we took in to be on the safe side.

Mrs. Washington stated that the County’s mil rate is currently 14.163 and if we raise the mil to 14.379, we will not have to advertise. It will be raising it to the quarter of a mil that you all decreased it by last year. Mr. McKeehan added that he has 491 appeals expected and will be finished with them by Friday. The biggest hit will most likely come from the timber property, but everything else will be nickels and dimes.

Mrs. Barkley advised the Board that the operational budget does not include the additional departmental requests. Mr. Doug Manning added that there are things that we can do to bridge the gap, for instance, Leisure Services will be raising their fees and this will be more money. Mr. Brewer advised a low mil rate will keep Butts County competitive with other counties. And lastly, Mr. Brewer went over the budget schedule with the Board. First, administration would request for the Board to approve the preliminary budget in the Board of Commissioner’s meeting that night. Next, there would be a Public Hearing on June 26^th and a series of called meetings on July 3^rd to adopt the budget, county’s mil rate and the total mil rate.

The second workshop was called to order by Chairman McDaniel at 5:10PM. The purpose of this workshop was to see if there could be an opportunity for the County to engage and receive Honeywell’s services. Ms. Cheryl Prince of Honeywell delivered a PowerPoint presentation that explained Honeywell’s Investment Grade Energy Audit (IGA). Improvements recommended by Honeywell after performing the IGA for 17 Butts County Facilities are energy efficient lighting, HVAC system, Centralized Web Enabled Building Management system, PM program, Staff development and Community awareness. The program will cost $1,402,317 to be paid over 15 years from guaranteed annual cost reductions. Commissioner Hodges asked to get a breakdown for each building of what’s going to be done because he has to explain to citizens. Ms. Prince stated she would get those to him. Also, Ms. Prince advised that the intention is to give you all the tools at hand to help with energy usage and to determine how to better stabilize it. Mr. Manning added this is a valuable program that we really need to consider because we are having trouble locating parts for the units we currently have and we have to replace units at the jail which is very costly. This program allows us to be proactive.

The County Controller added that there is a 34% reduction in cost which allows the program to pay for itself and the first payment is not due until FY2016. Mr. Manning advised that at the upcoming 6:00PM meeting, he will ask for a continuous to allow Honeywell to do what they need to do.

Approval of Docket

2014-06-096    Attorney O’Quinn requested to add the Abandonment of a portion of Thomas Ferry Road to the agenda and the County Clerk requested to add Honeywell on the agenda for further discussion. Commissioner Douglas made a motion to approve the changes to the agenda, Commissioner Hodges seconded. Vote 5-0, motion carried unanimously.

2014-06-097    Approval of May 5, 2014 minutes; Commissioner Hodges made a motion to approve the minutes, Commissioner Patterson seconded. Vote 5-0, motion carried unanimously.

Presentations:  Proclamation declaring Amateur Radio Week; Commissioner Hodges made a motion to approve the proclamation, Commissioner Patterson seconded. Vote 5-0, motion carried unanimously.

Resolution recognizing Mr. Ken Nicholson for his service to his community; Commissioner Patterson made a motion to approve the resolution, Vice Chairman Henderson seconded. Vote 5-0, motion carried unanimously.

New Business

2014-06-098    Executive Session with Board of Elections; Commissioner Hodges made a motion to enter into executive session, Commissioner Douglas seconded. Vote 5-0, motion carried unanimously. Commissioner Patterson motioned to reconvene back to the regular meeting, Commissioner Douglas seconded. Vote 5-0, motion carried unanimously.

2014-06-099    Reappointment to DFCS Board; Commissioner Hodges made a motion to reappoint Mr. Joe Allen to the DFCS Board, Commissioner Patterson seconded. Vote 5-0, motion carried unanimously.

2014-06-100    S.A.V.E. Anticipated Collections Addendum; Commissioner Douglas made a motion for the Chairman to sign an updated SAVE Anticipated Collections Addendum, Commissioner Hodges seconded. Vote 5-0, motion carried unanimously.

2014-06-101    City of Jackson’s request for permission to use park; Commissioner Hodges made a motion to grant permission for the City of Jackson to use the recreational park for fireworks on Fourth of July, Commissioner Patterson seconded. Vote 5-0, carried unanimously.

2014-06-102    Letter to Representative Holmes regarding Hwy 16; Commissioner Hodges motioned to send a letter to Representative Susan Holmes regarding the removal of the median at the interchange on Hwy 16 and Hwy 75, Commissioner Patterson seconded. Vote 5-0, motion carried unanimously.

2014-06-103    Authorization for Chairman to sign Federal Inmate Contract; Commissioner Patterson motioned to give the Chairman authorization to sign the Federal Inmate Contract pending counsel’s review, Commissioner Hodges seconded. Vote 5-0, motion carried unanimously.

2014-06-104    Approval of Preliminary Budget; Vice Chairman Henderson made a motion to approve the preliminary budget, Commissioner Douglas seconded. Vote 5-0, motion carried unanimously.

2014-06-105    Guardrail Installation Update; Mr. Doug Manning gave an update on the newly installed guardrails on Shiloh Road. Mr. Manning displayed a photo for all Commissioners to see the guardrails.

2014-06-106    Raj Chevron, Inc. – Alcohol License Request; Mr. Doug Manning advised the Board that Raj Chevron had met all of the proper criteria needed to fulfill this alcohol license request. Mr. Manning also stated that Mr. Tushar Patel (new owner) had purchased the business from Jones Petroleum Company and not the actual property; and that the alcohol license could not transfer over to Mr. Patel. Commissioner Patterson made a motion to approve the alcohol license request, Commissioner Douglas seconded. Vote 4-0, Vice Chairman Henderson abstained.

2014-06-107    Contract Award Recommendation for Notification System; Mr. Glen Goens informed the Board that the evaluation committee recommends McCord Communications; however, there was not enough money budgeted for the sirens. All three bidders were slightly higher than the amount originally allocated for the sirens. Commissioner Patterson made a motion to table this matter until it could be investigated in conjunction with the FY2015 budget, Commissioner Hodges seconded; vote 5-0.

2014-06-108    Request to abandon a portion of Rufus Adams Road; Mr. Jason Wood requested   to close the portion of Rufus Adams Road directly in front of his house and two other properties (272 and 282 Rufus Adams Road) making the property lines go straight across until it intersects with the other side of Rufus Adams Road. This would give the homeowners a different entrance into their area. Attorney O’Quinn stated that a process will need to be followed; first all residents on the road will need to be notified and then we will need to run an ad in the paper for at least two weeks. We can then place the item on the agenda for a public hearing. Commissioner Hodges agreed that it would be better to address the item at the August meeting.

2014-06-115    Abandonment of Thomas Ferry Road; Mr. Lawrence, the attorney for Mr. Van Sant (the requestor) presented the abandonment of Thomas Ferry Road agenda item. Chairman McDaniel opened a Public Hearing to address the matter. Attorney O’Quinn began the public hearing by reading the state law GA Code 32-7-2. During the public hearing, there were no favors or oppositions for the abandonment of Thomas Ferry Road. Attorney O’Quinn made a recommendation to ask the owner to give a key to the gate to the DNR or sheriff department to access the river just in case of an emergency. Chairman McDaniel closed the public hearing. Commissioner Hodges made a motion to approve the abandonment of Thomas Ferry road pending approval of the cul de sac (which would be maintained by the County) by the County’s road superintendent and deeding said cul de sac to the county in its entirety and the county giving deed to the abandoned portion of the road equally from the center of the road to Mr. Van Sant and Mr. Bennett and to allow law enforcement to have access by key to access the river in an emergency situation, Vice Chairman Henderson seconded. Vote 4-1 (Douglas opposed).

2014-06-116    Honeywell; Mr. Manning requested to seek further permission from the Board to continue with Honeywell for the following: A RFP examination, to review the scope of work/detail of work for each building, and to provide the IGA contract to the attorney for review. Vice Chairman Henderson made a motion to proceed with the following: a RFP examination, for Mr. Manning’s department to continue to review the scope of work/detail of work for each building and to provide the IGA contract document to the county attorney for review; and to then bring back before the Board in July for final determination. Commissioner Hodges seconded for discussion. Hodges asked would there be a cost for these three items. Manning advised that there would be no cost for the items. Chairman McDaniel asked O’Quinn to make sure there is a mechanism put in place to protect the County if Honeywell goes out of business or if a merger acquisition occurs in year eight. Chairman McDaniel advised that the information will need to be brought back before the Board in a workshop format. Vote 5-0, motioned carried unanimously.

2014-06-109    Consent Agenda – Hydro Seeding for Stark Road. Brewer advised that this item is for informational purposes only.

2014-06-110    No Public Comments

2014-06-111    Butts County Tumblers headed to National Meet; Mr. Dan Magee informed the Commissioners of the Butts County Tumbler Team’s recent winnings at the Georgia-Alabama state championships. Six athletes qualified for the nationals which will be this weekend; however, only two are able to go. 2014-06-112     Executive Session; Commissioner Douglas made a motion to go in executive session, Commissioner Hodges seconded; vote 5-0.

2014-06-113    Executive Sessions Summary; Commissioner Douglas made a motion to reconvene back into the regular meeting, Commissioner Patterson seconded. Vote 5-0, motion carried unanimously. O’Quinn stated that the Board discussed the following: a personnel matter with the Board of Elections, a possible real estate concerning the Development Authority, personnel matters concerning Code Enforcement and Animal Control Departments, and a legal issue concerning the proposed development agreement (which there is no action).

2014-06-114    Adjournment; Commissioner Douglas made a motion to adjourn, Commissioner Hodges seconded. Vote 5-0, motion carried unanimously.

June 5, 2014 – Called Meeting Minutes

Posted on July 16, 2014

Opening:

A called meeting of the Butts County Board of Commissioners was called to order at 6:00 PM, Thursday on June 5, 2014 in the C. Wayne King Auditorium, Jackson, Georgia by Chairman, Roger McDaniel. Vice Chairman Henderson led the invocation.

Present:

Roger D. McDaniel, Chairman
Robert L. Henderson, Sr., Vice-Chairman
J. Keith Douglas, Commissioner
Mike Patterson, Commissioner
Michael Brewer, County Administrator
Michael O’Quinn, County Attorney

Absent:

G.S. “Gator” Hodges, Commissioner
Crystal Griggs-Epps, County Clerk

Approval of Docket

Item 2014-06-092       Commissioner Douglas made a motion to approve the agenda; Vice Chairman Henderson seconded the motion. Vote 4-0, motion carried unanimously.

 

New Business

Item 2014-06-093       Commissioner Douglas made a motion to enter into executive session with the Development Authority; Commissioner Patterson seconded. Vote 4-0, motion carried unanimously.
Item 2014-06-094       Commissioner Douglas made a motion to reconvene back into the meeting; Commissioner Patterson seconded. Vote 4-0, motion carried unanimously.
Item 2014-06-095       Commissioner Douglas made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Commissioner Patterson seconded. Vote 4-0, motion carried unanimously.