FINANCIAL REPORT
- SPLOST AND LOST: SPLOST and LOST revenue shown in the report dated March 31, 2021 reflect collections reported for February 2020. For that period, SPLOST collections were $807,613.29 which is a $101,158.01 (14.32%) increase over the same period last year. LOST collections were $512,007.80 which is a $64,575.49 (14.43%) increase over the same period last year.
- AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021: On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act Of 2021 into law. This is a 1.9 Trillion Dollar spending package. 65.1 Billion Dollars is provided in direct aid to counties. Gordon County continues to monitor developments in preparation of receipt of funding and is waiting on Treasury Department Guidance on how we can spend the funds.
- BUDGET: Budget work continues. The Finance Committee will meet Friday April 16.
SIGNIFICANT PROJECTS AND ACTIVITY
- COVID-19: The Covid-19 task force met on April 6, 2021. Gordon County continues to show a consistent reduction of active cases. Statewide, the Governor has issued a new Executive Order easing shelter in place requirements and reducing restrictions on certain gatherings.
- SENIOR CENTER: The Senior Center has been closed during the pandemic in compliance with the Governor’s directives to protect at risk (elderly) people. Now that the Shelter in Place Order has been modified, the County is looking at resuming Senior Center in person operations on Monday, May 3rd. We are evaluating CDC and Department of Public Health Guidelines to open safely and in compliance with health directives.
- JUDICIAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTION: Construction is moving along well. Internal framing continues on all three floors. The General Contractor has constructed an offsite mock up of a courtroom that Chief Judge Scott Smith has evaluated for functionality. The next project meeting is scheduled for Thursday April 15.
- EMERGENCY RADIO COVERAGE: Dalton Communications was the sole company that offered a proposal for delivery of a radio system as a service. This is on the agenda for acceptance tonight.
- JUDICIARY: The Superior Court resumed Jury Trials on Monday March 22. The Superior Court reports that the preparations made to maintain social distancing and protect the health of court personnel, litigants, attorneys, jurors and the public worked well.
- FLOODING: Gordon County is still recovering from extensive countywide flood that occurred around March 25. At one point, so much rain fell so quickly that many ditches were overwhelmed and roadways were impassable. Thankfully, I am not aware of any loss of life or serious injury due to flooding. Harbor Road remains washed out and Dobson Road has serious damage. In all, Public Works has responded to over 250 calls for damaged culverts and pipes with repair costs estimated between $160,000 and $300,000 at this time.
- BROOKSHIRE PARK: Gordon County continues to pursue a DNR grant to match SPLOST funds for renovations to this park.
- JUVENILE COURT BUILDING: Gordon County and Juvenile Judge Lorie Moss met with Matt Hibberts on April 5 at the building on Newtown Road to discuss changes needed for conversion of that space into the temporary (permanent?) home of the Juvenile Court during renovation of the main courthouse which will start in 2022 upon completion of the Judicial Building project. The Adjust building has 7,000 square feet of space.
- PLANNING SESSION: Thanks to the Board of Commissioners for participation in the tour of the Jackson County Agriculture Facility on March 26 and the successful planning session on March 27. During the session we: conducted a detailed financial update on past revenue and projected future revenue; reviewed budget requests in detail; received information on Departmental and Community programs of work; discussed SPLOST projects and received Commissioner input.
- GENERAL ACTIVITY OF NOTE:
- Administration provided assistance to Code Enforcement;
- Received numerous citizen complaints regarding flooding after the major rain event;
- Assisted Tax Commissioner on several issues;
- Attended a Firefighter lunch with the most recent recruits at the end of training;
- Attended ACCG legislative briefing regarding new laws;
- Warranty walk through at health department;
- Budget meetings;
- Broadband meetings;
- Met engineer on Dews Pond Road Development by Brent Stepp.
- Attended the Development Authority meeting.
