BUTTS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
124th Session Covering Calendar Year 2022
2021-2022 Biennium
Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for May 31, 2022

Commissioners:
☐ Ken Rivers, District 1
☐ Robert Henderson, District 2 (Excused)
☐ Joe Brown, District 3
☐ Keith Douglas, District 4
☐ Russ Crumbley, District 5

Staff:
☐ Brad Johnson, County Manager
☐ Michael Brewer, Deputy County Manager
☐ Rhonda Blissit, Chief Financial Officer

Section 1: Opening of Workshop/Meeting

The workshop/meeting opened at 6:00 PM, with Chairman Joe Brown presiding and the Members noted above in attendance. rest of the board in attendance. Also in attendance were various representatives of the Cities of Jackson, Flovilla and Jenkinsburg. Mr. Brewer gave the invocation and led the pledge of allegiance.

Item 2022-05-102 Adoption of the Docket
Mr. Rivers moved to adopt the docket, seconded by Mr. Douglas with unanimous consent.

Section 2: New Business Presentations

Item 2022-05-103 Local Option Sales Tax Negotiations
The first order of business was to name mediators or arbitrators for the County in the event that such were needed. The group discussed mediation but decided on arbitration, and for our arbitrator, the County put forth the name of previous County Manager Steve Layson. The City put for the name of Jim Elliott, with a third arbitrator to be selected by the two named arbitrators for a total of three. A document to this effect was distributed and signed by the Chief Elected Officers of the four governments.

Discussion then ensued, along with presentations by the City of Jackson. Jackson wishes to maintain at least what they are currently getting. Flovilla stated that LOST covers 50% of their operating budget. Jenkinsburg stated their history with LOST from a low of 1.39% to the current 4.5. They would like their LOST raised to the same as Flovilla, at 5.4%. The County then presented their presentation and concluded with justifying their desire to see Butts County’s share raised to 70%.

Following this discussion, the City Attorney requested that the discussion end and that everyone go back and digest what had been discussed at the meeting. The County Attorney then suggested that a smaller group, possibly the County and City Managers, possibly the Chief Elected Officials or both, try and schedule a meeting between now and August 1st and discuss the numbers and a possible plan that would prevent a precipitous drop in revenue should the numbers change, in a phased-in approach. There was general agreement among all participants that the two managers should meet and discuss the numbers, which the County stated they would be happy to share and that if these matters could not be hashed out among these participants, then we had arbitration as the next step. The representatives of the Cities then left.

Item 2022-05-104 Approval Representative to the Circuit Public Defender Committee
At the request of the Circuit, the Board of Commissioners heard a recommendation that Scott Mayfield of Smith Welch be appointed to serve on this circuit. Mr. Rives moved to appoint him, seconded by Mr. Crumbley with unanimous consent.

Concluding Business
Item 2022-05-105 Adjournment
Mr. Rivers moved to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Crumbley with unanimous consent. The workshop/meeting adjourned.

Ratified this 13th Day of June, 2022

___________________________________________
On behalf of the Board of Commissioners
Joe Brown, Chairman, Presiding

CERTIFICATION & ATTESTATION

I do hereby attest by my signature and seal below that the aforementioned minutes of the Butts County Board of Commissioners are an accurate representation of the official actions undertaken by the Board during the open meeting designated for the date and times stated herein.

J. Michael Brewer, Deputy County Manager
Clerk of the 124th Session, Attesting