6/16/2020 BOC Regular Session Minutes
GORDON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
JUNE 16, 2020
The Gordon County Board of Commissioners held their Regular Meeting on June 16, 2020 beginning at 6:04 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
Keith King, Executive Assistant
Chairman Hood called the meeting to order.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Hood asked if there are any additions, omissions, or deletions to the Minutes for the Work Session and Regular Meeting June 2, 2020. Commissioner Sexton 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
COMMISSIONERS’ REPORT
Commissioner Owens commented that he wanted to thank Jim Ledbetter for a great choice in filling the position of Human Resource Director with the appointment of Don Holley and the new Parks and Rec Director Craig Sparks. Commissioner Owens also thanked Shea Hicks for a great primary election, and commended Steve Paris for taking care of the concerns of one citizen and complaint of another citizen that had contacted him asking for help. Chairman Hood advised that she had met with Congressman Collins. She also attended the Covid-19 task force meeting and stated that she appreciates all the hard work being done by all in those meetings.
Commissioner Sexton made a motion to go into the Public Hearing for Zoning. Commissioner Owens seconded the motion and all voted aye.
PUBLIC HEARING FOR ZONING
Application #Z20-10 Jerry M. Gurley’s Request to Rezone from A-1 to RA-1
Administrator Ledbetter read application #Z20-10 and advised that this comes to the Board of Commissioners from the Planning Commission with their recommendations for approval. No one signed to speak for or against the rezoning.
Commissioner Owens made a motion to approve the rezoning. Commissioner Sexton seconded the motion and Commissioners Owens, Sexton, Cunningham, and Steward voted aye. Motion passed.
Commissioner Cunningham made a motion to close the Public Hearing. Commissioner Owens seconded the motion and Commissioner Cunningham, Owens, Cunningham, and Steward voted aye.
CONSIDERATION OF UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
CONSIDERATION OF NEW BUSINESS
ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO THE GORDON COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE FOR THE LEASH LAW SECTION – FIRST READING
Administrator Ledbetter advised the Board that this is the first reading of the amendment to the Animal Control Ordinance for the Leash Law Section. The amendment is not for the intent to go out and find dogs that are loose and to cite people for failing to comply with a prior warning, but if we get complaints and we have warned the owner and we council them and worked with them and they won’t control their animal, then this amendment gives the ability to issue a citation and the judge can do what he thinks is right, and upon a guilty conviction, it could be up to $1,000 fine or 60 days in jail. That would be an extreme case that the judge would get to decide. This is a first reading and the second reading will be at the next Board meeting on July 7, 2020.
TEMPORARY MILEAGE AND TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT POLICY
Administrator Ledbetter advised the Board that this is a temporary mileage and travel reimbursement policy. I have added something in, this comes on recommendation of the Finance Committee and proposes that all non-essential travel, travel, expense mileage reimbursement for all elected official, commissioners, staff employees and agencies would be eliminated. We should take online training if possible. Requests for reimbursement would be reviewed by Finance Director Al Leonard and our Finance Committee Chairman Chad Steward. Reimbursement would be denied except with demonstration of necessity; necessity would be – essential services like transporting prisoners or attending a seminar to retain your license or something of that nature.
The part that was added is that we would freeze all hiring of new employees unless reviewed and approved by the Board of Commissioners. This is on the agenda and eligible for a vote tonight if that’s what the Board wants to do.
Commissioner Cunningham made a motion to approve the temporary policy. Commissioner Steward seconded the motion and included that this policy also includes the Board of Commission members. Commissioners Cunningham, Steward, Owens, and Sexton voted aye. Motion passed.
DECLARATION OF SURPLUS PROPERTY FOR THE SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT OF A GLOCK MODEL 17 9MM DUTY PISTOL SERIAL #BCVL781
Administrator Ledbetter advised the Board that this is a declaration of surplus property for the Sheriff’s Department of a Glock duty pistol for a retiring officer.
Commissioner Sexton made a motion to approve the declaration of surplus property for the Sheriff’s Department. Commissioner Owens seconded the motion and Commissioners Sexton, Owens, Cunningham, and Steward voted aye. Motion passed.
DECLARATION OF SURPLUS PROPERTY FOR A MISCELLANEOUS LIST OF PROPERTY FOR THE UPCOMING AUCTION
Administrator Ledbetter advised that this is a declaration of surplus property for a miscellaneous list from several departments for the upcoming auction for property no longer useful for county departments.
Commissioner Sexton made a motion to approve the declaration of surplus property. Commissioner Steward seconded the motion and Commissioners Sexton, Steward, Owens, and Cunningham voted aye. Motion passed.
CONTRACT EXTENSION WITH PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS’ COUNCIL OF GEORGIA
Administrator Ledbetter explained that this is a contract extension with the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia. This is money that the County pays to the State of Georgia and is tied to the two positions that the State helps fund for an Assistant DA position and an investigator.
Commissioner Cunningham made a motion to approve the contract extension of the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council. Commissioner Owens seconded the motion and Commissioners Cunningham, Owens, Sexton, and Steward voted aye. Motion passed.
RESOLUTION FOR ADOPTION OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2020/2021 GORDON COUNTY BUDGET
Administrator Ledbetter advised the Board that this is a Resolution for the adoption of the Fiscal Year 2020/2021 Budget. This is for General Fund expenditures of $37,919,220. The Special Fund expenditure of $7,387,000, Enterprise Fund of $1,607,000, AND Capital Project Fund $14,327,000. We are balancing the budget with inter-fund transfers of $5,209,000, those fund transfers are from the landfill fund, the fire fund, the E-911 fund, and the insurance premium tax fund. The recommended budget at $56 million is 3.17% decrease from last year. The recommended budget of $37 million out of the General Fund is 1.74% increase.
Commissioner Sexton made a motion to approve the Resolution for adoption of the Budget. Commissioner Steward seconded the motion and Commissioners Sexton, Steward, Cunningham, and Owens 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.
