6/2/2020 BOC Regular Session Minutes
GORDON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR SESSION MINUTES
JUNE 2, 2020
The Gordon County Board of Commissioners held their Regular Meeting on June 2, 2020 beginning at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was held in the Conference Room of the Administration Building.
Members Present
Becky Hood, Chairman
Chad Steward, Vice Chair
Norris Sexton, Commissioner
Kevin Cunningham, Commissioner
M. L. Bud Owens, Commissioner
Others Present
Jim Ledbetter, County Administrator
Annette Berry, County Clerk
Chairman Hood called the meeting to order.
Commissioner Sexton made a motion to go into the public hearing for the budget. Commissioner Cunningham seconded the motion and all voted aye.
PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021 GORDON COUNTY BUDGET
Administrator Ledbetter advised that this is an opportunity for any member of the public to make comments on the upcoming fiscal year 2020/2021 budget. The recommended budget has been supplied to each Board member for review, this is the time for the public or the commissioners to make comments on the budget in public and on the record. No one has signed up to speak at the Public Hearing.
Commissioner Owens commented that he had shared a letter with the Chairman on a couple of points regarding the budget. The Board understands that we are in a crisis and do not know what the finances are going to be in the future. A couple of areas have needs and I would like to visit those needs and take care of them. The Elections Department is the first one, after visiting and observing the Voter and Elections Office and listening to the staffing concerns and frustrations; and after looking into the workload and their accountabilities, I am fully concerned that they need additional assistance. We, as a Board, have an obligation to assure that our elections are conducted accurately and that they have adequate staff to conduct elections. Based on my observations and discussions, I would like to recommend consideration of a regular part-time position of at least 20 hours a week to be added to their department budget allocation. The second area is Emergency Management; we have a highly competent EMA Director who works diligently for our County. Our Director serves 7-days a week 24-hours a day in his role. When he was hired for the position, it was pretty clear that we were going to be adding the position of an Assistant Deputy Director to serve and assist. I feel we have an obligation to provide funding for a position for this vital function.
Administrator Ledbetter advised the Board that the Elections and Registration budget does provide $20,000 for part-time help in the recommended budget. Both those directors do a wonderful job; this budget does not create any new positions, it becomes a question of funding.
Commissioner Cunningham made a motion to close the Public Hearing for the Budget. Commissioner Owens seconded the motion and all voted aye.
EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION
Employees with Anniversary Hire Dates in Jun – Commissioner Steward read the list of employees with anniversary hire dates in June. Commissioner Owens drew the name of Greg Hasty with the Fire Department for the Employee of the Month of June.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Hood asked if there are any additions, omissions, or deletions to the Minutes for the Work Session and Regular Meeting May 19, 2020. Commissioner Steward made a motion to approve the Minutes. Commissioner Owens seconded the motion and Commissioners Owens, Sexton, Steward, and Cunningham voted aye. Motion passed.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Administrator Ledbetter read the report. (copy attached)
COMMISSIONERS’ REPORT
Commissioner Steward commented that he met with the Finance Committee and the Chairman to discuss the economic uncertainty. Chairman Hood advised that she and the Administrator have started back the meetings with the City of Calhoun. She also attended the Covid-19 task force meeting.
CONSIDERATION OF UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
CONSIDERATION OF NEW BUSINESS
CHANGE ORDER FOR THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT FACILITY FOR HANDICAP MOTORIZED DOOR FOR $8,901.00
Administrator Ledbetter advised the Board that this item is a change order for a handicap motorized door at the Health Department. After the new doors were hung, it was decided that they needed automatic doors for people who are trying to bring in babies in strollers and so forth. To date, this change order will still have the County under the budgeted amount for this project. Our contract amount is $2,111,000; this change order will put us around $2,096,000. We are doing well on this project and this is a needed change order.
Commissioner Sexton made a motion to approve the change order. Commissioner Owens seconded the motion and Commissioners Sexton, Owens, Steward, and Cunningham voted aye. Motion passed.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Steward made a motion to adjourn the Regular Meeting. Commissioner Cunningham seconded the motion and all voted aye.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
