6/2/2015 BOC Work Session Minutes
GORDON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
WORK SESSION MINUTES
JUNE 2, 2015
The Gordon County Board of Commissioners held a Work Session Tuesday, June 2, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. in the main courtroom of the Gordon County Courthouse.
Chairman Hood called the meeting to order.
The Board discussed each item on the agenda for the Regular Meeting and made no changes; one item was added to the agenda later in the meeting.
The Board had a budget workshop in which county departments could come before the Board regarding their budget as shown in the proposed budget previously presented to the Board. The County Attorney advised that anyone wishing to speak to the Board should add their name to the sign-up sheet. County Attorney Ledbetter called Mr. Chris Paul with Public Defense as the only person signed up to speak. Mr. Paul asked for additional funds in the Public Defense budget to pay two staff members a supplement that amounted to a total of $11,000. No one else signed up to speak to the Board regarding the proposed budget.
Ms. Joni Harbin came before the Board representing the Calhoun/Gordon Council for a Literate Community. Ms. Harbin requested support from the Board of Commissioners in the amount of $3,300 to help fund a $10,000 purchase of laptop computers for use at the public library.
Mayor Harry Pierce, Fairmount mayor, came before the Board to request the Board to renegotiate HB489 for several different areas such as senior center, recreation, etc.
County Attorney Ledbetter presented a draft to Board members with proposed changes to the unified land development code concerning standards for commercial livestock, swine and poultry operations. Attorney Ledbetter advised that the timetable shows that upon reaching a Board consensus of the amendment, the planning commission will have a hearing and the soonest date for that hearing, in order to advertise, would be July 13. Then on Tuesday, July 21 the Board of Commissioners would have the public hearing and then could have the adoption of the ordinance. Attorney Ledbetter went over the major changes to the ordinance and spoke about attempting to define rules for buffers. He asked for comments from the Board about the proposed changes. Commissioner Cunningham said he had no problem with the setbacks and the buffer where it’s next to a residence; a 150 ft. buffer is a lot of land. Commissioner Sexton agreed with Commissioner Cunningham. Commissioner Gazaway stated he liked the reciprocal part where if the poultry farmer is already there and someone comes and builds a house, the same rules apply. Commissioner Steward reminded the other members that the Board could still grant variances. Attorney Ledbetter stated that he plans to start work on the ordinance and hopes to get the ordinance into the form that it needs to be to present to the Planning Commission to meet the dates mentioned.
Major Pat Bedford with the Sheriff’s office spoke to the Board regarding the item on the agenda for a bid award for inmate food service. Major Bedford explained why the Sheriff’s office wanted to obtain bids for the inmate food service and how the committee arrived at their recommendation to select ABL Management Inc. as the new provider.
Chairman Hood brought up the Airport Authority appointments. There was a consensus of the Board to add these two appointments to the agenda for tonight’s Regular Meeting.
Commissioner Cunningham made a motion to close the Work Session. Commissioner Sexton seconded the motion and all voted aye. There being no further business the Work Session adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
