BUTTS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
123rd Session Covering Calendar Year 2021
2021-2022 Biennium
Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for January 25, 2021

Commissioners:
☐ Robert Henderson, District 2
☐ Joe Brown, District 3, Chairman
☐ Keith Douglas, District 4 Vice Chairman
☐ Russ Crumbley, District 5

Staff:
☐ Brad Johnson, County Manager
☐ Michael Brewer, Deputy County Manager
☐ Andrew J. Welch, III, County Attorney

Section 1: Opening of Meeting

Chairman Joe Brown called the January 25, 2021 called meeting to order at 6:00 PM. Commissioner Rivers was absent from the meeting. Chairman Brown asked Mr. Henderson to give the Invocation and lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

Item 2021-01-019 Approval of Docket
Mr. Brewer requested to add one item to the docket, to approve an extension request to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. No other changes were offered. Mr. Douglas moved to approve the docket, seconded by Mr. Henderson with unanimous consent, 4-0.

Section 2: Old Business

Item 2021-01-010 County Resolution CR202103 Approving New Positions
Mr. Brown commented that there has been an omission from the Resolution that was approved earlier in the month and as a result it created an error in the calculation of benefits for the Special Project Director. Mr. Douglas moved to approve the corrected resolution, seconded by Mr. Henderson and passed with unanimous consent, 4-0. The resolution shall be attached to and made a part of the Book of Resolutions, Volume 1.

Section 3: New Business

Item 2021-01-020 Public Hearing to Approve Transmittal of Capital Improvement Element
Chairman Brown opened the public hearing on the approval to transmit the Capital Improvement Element of the Comprehensive Plan to DCA. No one spoke in opposition or in favor of and the hearing was closed. Mr. Crumbley moved to close and approve the transmittal, seconded by Mr. Douglas with unanimous consent, 4-0.

Item 2021-01-021 Public Hearing to Approve Transmittal of Short Term Work Program
Chairman Brown opened the public hearing on the approval to transmit the Short Term Work Program of the Comprehensive Plan to DCA. No one spoke in opposition or in favor of and the hearing was closed. Mr. Douglas moved to close and approve the transmittal, seconded by Mr. Henderson with unanimous consent, 4-0.

Item 2021-01-022 Approve Extension Request to Department of Community Affairs
Due to COVID related issues, it was determined to be impossible to meet all of the deadlines imposed by DCA for approval of the Capital Improvement Elements and the Short Term Work Program within the normal time frame. Staff proposed the following letter be sent to the Commissioner Nunn of DCA:

Butts County has a pending deadline of February 28, 2021 to complete the process of updating its Capital Improvement Element (CIE) and Short Term Work Program with regards to our comprehensive plan. I request a variance to extend that deadline through June 30, 2021 as provided in the Rules of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs 110-12-1-.04(3)(b).

As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, an event beyond our local government’s control, we currently find ourselves under extraordinary stress in coping with this compelling situation. The necessary response to the virus has interrupted and disrupted our intended process, as follows:

• Individuals that are integral to our processes were unavailable due to extended absences from workplace closures, which has resulted in delays.

We recognize the importance of completing these important planning processes; however, for the time being, our community’s resources are best utilized in responding to our citizens’ more emergent needs. I commit to completing the required updates as soon as practicable in advance of the new June 30, 2021 deadline.

Mr. Douglas moved to approve, seconded by Mr. Crumbley with unanimous consent.

Item 2021-01-023 Adjournment Motion
Mr. Douglas moved to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Crumbley with unanimous consent.

Ratified this 8th Day of February, 2021

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

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
Sitting as Clerk of the 123rd Session, Attesting