FINANCIAL REPORT
- SPLOST AND LOST: SPLOST and LOST revenue shown in the report dated May 31, 2021 reflect collections reported for April 2021. For that period, SPLOST collections were $969,504.34 which is a $216,313.51 (28.72%) increase over the same period last year. LOST collections were $614,388.17 which is a $137,267.45 (28.77%) increase over the same period last year.
- AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021: The review of the Gordon County submission to the Treasury Submission Portal for Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds on behalf of Gordon County Board of Commissioners is finished and the information and documentation the Finance Department submitted was determined to be complete and accurate. We received a $5,629,416.50 deposit this week into the special account set up for receipt of these funds. County personnel continue to attend training and read literature on the rules for administration of the funds and permissible expenditures.
- BUDGET: We hold a budget hearing tonight to allow any interested person to make comments on the recommended budget. This hearing has been advertised in the newspaper, at our previous meetings, and online at gordoncounty.org. The final Budget will be presented for approval on June 15 and it will go into effect on July 1, 2021.
SIGNIFICANT PROJECTS AND ACTIVITY
- COVID-19: The Covid-19 task force met on May 18, 2021. I presented the data from that meeting in my previous Administrator’s report. The Task Force has elected to reduce its meeting schedule from twice per month to once per month due to the reduction in local infection rates.
- GOVERNOR’S EXECUTIVE ORDER: Governor Kemp issued a new Executive Order. According to the ACCG summary, it no longer contains any requirements for social distancing, gatherings, post exposure quarantine protocols, in-person operations, conventions, performance venues, sports, camps, etc.
- SENIOR CENTER: The Senior Center continues to provide in person operations.
- JUDICIAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTION: Construction continues to proceed at a good pace. Drywall installation is underway. The project remains on schedule and on budget.
- EMERGENCY RADIO COVERAGE: This contract for an emergency radio system as a service is on the agenda for acceptance tonight.
- POST FLOOD REPORT: Gordon County is still recovering from extensive countywide flooding that occurred around March 25. Dobson Road is now open. Harbor will remain closed for the next couple of months waiting on bridge materials. FEMA has issued an emergency declaration for the flood damage which opens the door to reimbursement of some of the costs incurred by the County.
- BROOKSHIRE PARK: Two weeks ago I reported that the archeologists had indicated the discovery of prehistoric artifacts. I still do not have the report so we called and apparently there were some flakes left over from primitive tool making.
- ADP PAYROLL SERVICE: Don Holley, David Gibson and Keith King are working daily to make the transition to the ADP payroll service. We expect to go live with ADP on June 11, 2021.
- ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: The Gordon County Development Authority met last week. Reports indicate a very high interest in Gordon County for industrial development and warehousing. The greatest challenge appears to be a lack of labor force. Kenny Fuquea, having announced his retirement from the Authority, attended the meeting and was recognized for his service. Larry Roye received recognition for his many years of service to the Authority.
- LANDFILL: Republic Services completed its purchase of Santek which included Santek’s contract rights to operate the Landfill. Last week, I met with Monica Mosely, who is a Municipal Services Manager at Republic, Tony Gregory who is the General Manager, and Levi Higdon who runs the Daily Operations at the Landfill. Mr. Higdon is a former Santek employee who is very familiar with operations. The Republic employees confirmed they have no plans to change rates for garbage disposal, the convenience centers will continue to operate on the same schedules, Republic employees will continue to pick up blown trash on Pleasant Hill Road extension every two hours, and the same people who have been operating the landfill have been retained from Santek.
- UNION GROVE TRAFFIC LIGHT: Contractors for Buc-ee’s are currently installing the traffic lights at the intersection of Union Grove, Belwood and Johnson Lake Roads. Calhoun, Gordon County, and the Development Authority have each contributed $107,179 toward the cost of the traffic signalization.
