GORDON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 15, 2022
The Gordon County Board of Commissioners held their Regular Meeting on February 15, 2022 beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the main courtroom of the Gordon County Courthouse.
Members Present
Becky Hood, Chairman
Chad Steward, Vice Chairman
M. L. Bud Owens, Commissioner
Kevin Cunningham, Commissioner
Bruce Potts, Commissioner
Others Present
Jim Ledbetter, County Administrator
Annette Berry, County Clerk
Media
Approximately 65 Guests
Chairman Hood called the meeting to order.
RECOGNITION OF SPECIAL VISITORS
Commissioner Owens announced that the Calhoun/Gordon County Adult Leadership class is in attendance at the Board meeting. He asked each member to stand and give their name and the organization that they are representing. He also recognized the Boy Scout Troop #46 in attendance and asked their leaders to introduce themselves and also each Boy Scout to introduce themselves. Commissioner Owens welcomed both groups and advised that the Board members would be available after the Board Meeting adjourns to answer any questions that either group may have.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Hood asked if there are any additions, omissions, or deletions to the Minutes for the Work Session and Regular Meeting of February 1, 2022. Commissioner Potts made a motion to approve the Minutes. Commissioner Owens seconded the motion and Commissioners Owens, Potts, Cunningham, and Steward voted aye. Motion passed.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Administrator Ledbetter read the report (copy attached).
COMMISSIONERS’ REPORT
Commissioner Owens reported that he has fielded several calls from citizens regarding the broadband project, he has spoken with four of the general admin committee members and gotten some updates.
Commissioner Potts reported that he travelled down to Bucky’s to look at truck parking, also attended the Airport Authority Board meeting where they were talking about the vision of the Authority for the airport. Ms. Mosley with Republic at the landfill has issued an invitation to visit the landfill, if other commissioners or Administrator want to go they are welcome to go.
Gave a report on the Public Works, Fleet Management and Buildings and Grounds departments,
Commissioner Steward reported that he met with some citizens in Gordon County to hear some of their ideas and concerns, also met with one elected official.
Commissioner Cunningham reported that he talked with several individuals regarding Comcast, zoning, and trash on the roads, also met with and talked with the Administrator several time.
Chairman Hood reported that she and the Administrator met with DOT Board member about some of our projects we would like to do in Gordon County. Chairman Hood also announced that she will not be running for re-election to the Board of Commissioners for the next term. At the end of 2022 it will be six four-year terms she has served on the Board of Commissioners. She encouraged the Leadership members in attendance to step up and run for election to the Board of Commissioners. She thanked everyone for their support during her time as a Commissioner.
Commissioner Steward made a motion to open the Public Hearing for Zoning. Commissioner Cunningham seconded the motion and all voted aye.
PUBLIC HEARING FOR ZONING
Application #Z21-28 OWR, LLC’s Request to Rezone from A-1 to I-2 Heavy Industrial
Administrator Ledbetter advised the Board that this is OWR, LLC’s request to rezone from A-1 to I-2 heavy industrial. This is the last of the Moore Farm property; it is 94 acres on Trimble Hollow Road and Spring Hill Road.
Mr. Terry Brumlow came before the Board to explain the rezoning application and advised that the soon-to-be new owner had finally gotten written authority from the current owner to go ahead and implement the Planning Commission’s recommendation for heavy industrial zoning for the property. There are no immediate plans, but it shouldn’t be long and they are asking the Board to go ahead and approve the property for heavy industrial zoning.
Mr. Ledbetter advised that this is a County project and is not in any municipal area. CFL is making an extremely substantial investment in Gordon County and this is part of that. Investment.
Commissioner Cunningham made a motion to approve the rezoning application #Z21-28 for OWR, LLC to rezone from A-1 to I-2 heavy industrial. Commissioner Steward seconded the motion and Commissioners Cunningham, Steward, Owens, and Potts voted aye. Motion passed.
Commissioner Owens made a motion to close the Public Hearing for zoning. Commissioner Cunningham seconded the motion and all voted aye.
CONSIDERATION OF UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
CONSIDERATION OF NEW BUSINESS
REAPPOINTMENT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND CHILDREN SERVICES BOARD FOR SHEILA CALLAWAY FOR A FIVE-YEAR TERM ENDING 2/28/2027
Administrator Ledbetter advised the Board that this is a reappointment of Sheila Callaway to the Department of Family and Children Services Board for a five-year term ending 2/28/2027.
Commissioner Potts made a motion to table the reappointment. Commissioner Owens seconded the motion and Commissioner Potts, Owens, Cunningham, and Steward voted aye. Motion passed.
REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM AGREEMENT FOR THE SCRAP TIRE AMNESTY EVENT
Chairman Hood advised that this is the Reimbursement Program Agreement through the EPD for the Scrap Tire Amnesty Event and that the Board has heard from Ms. Judy Petersen previously about.
Commissioner Potts made a motion to approve the Reimbursement Program Agreement for the tire amnesty event. Commissioner Cunningham seconded the motion and Commissioners Cunningham, Potts, Owens, and Steward voted aye. Motion passed.
RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE COLLECTION OF A DIRECT ANNUAL TAX SUFFICIENT TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON GENERAL OBLIGATION SALES TAX BONDS FOR THE GORDON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Administrator Ledbetter advised that this is a resolution providing for the collection of a direct annual tax sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on general obligation sales tax bonds for the Gordon County School district. Gordon County has a SPLOST and collects the sales tax and the County then proceeds with doing the project. The Gordon County School District gets the voter approval for the sales tax collection and the projects and then they borrow the money and pay it back with the sales tax revenue. The Georgia constitution requires that Gordon County as the official tax levying authority has to agree that if for some reason the sales tax revenue generated by the ESPLOST is not sufficient to cover the bonds, that the Board would agree to levy an amount against the property owners of an ad valorem tax to cover that. This would be in the event the sales tax collection failed and was not able to collect enough funds. Dr. Fraker came before the Board to answer questions of the Board. She stated that the projects included renovation for Swain Elementary of $6.5 million, Ashworth Middle School for an addition of funds of approximately $8 million to $9 million, Gordon Central High School will be for a large renovation and additions. Also, some resurfacing and adding parking all across the school system, and purchasing buses. The voters have approved $25,000 worth of bonds.
Commissioner Owens made a motion to approve the Resolution for the Gordon County School District for the general obligation sales tax bonds. Commissioner Cunningham seconded the motion and Commissioners Owens, Cunningham, Steward, and Potts voted aye. Motion passed.
SPECIAL SERVICE ARRANGEMENT AGREEMENT WITH AT&T FOR E-911
Administrator Ledbetter advised that this is for our Public Safety Answering Point. Our present contract is running out and this is a continuation of the current service agreement.
Commissioner Cunningham made a motion to approve the Service Arrangement Agreement with AT&T. Commissioner Steward seconded the motion and Commissioners Cunningham, Steward, Owens, and Potts voted aye. Motion passed.
RESOLUTION TO APPOINT COMMISSIONER BUD OWENS TO THE GORDON COUNTY/FLOYD COUNTY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY REPLACING COMMISSIONER BECKY HOOD
Administrator Ledbetter advised the Board that this is a resolution to appoint Commissioner Bud Owens to the Gordon County/Floyd County Development Authority replacing Becky Hood’s term ending 12/31/2023.
Commissioner Potts made a motion to approve the resolution appointing Commissioner Owens to the Gordon County/Floyd County Development Authority replacing Commissioner Hood on that authority. Commissioner Cunningham seconded the motion and Commissioner Potts,
Steward, and Cunningham voted aye. Motion passed.
APPROVAL OF ALLOWING GORDON CENTRAL CONSTRUCTION STUDENTS TO PLACE A LITTLE FREE LIBRARY AT THE OOKY FAITH PARK
Administrator advised that this is for Board approval of allowing Gordon Central Construction Students to place a Little Free Library at the Ooky Faith Park.
Commissioners Potts made a motion to approve the request for Gordon Central Construction Students to place a Little Free Library at the Ooky Faith Park. Commissioner Owens seconded the motion and Commissioners Potts, Owens, Steward, and Cunningham voted aye. Motion passed.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Cunningham made a motion to adjourn the Regular Meeting. Commissioner Potts seconded the motion and all voted aye.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:33 p.m.
