9/24/2019 BOC Regular Session Minutes
GORDON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR SESSION MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 24, 2019
The Gordon County Board of Commissioners held their Regular Meeting on September 24, 2019 beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the conference room of the Administration Building.
MEMBERS PRESENT
BECKY HOOD, CHAIRMAN
KEVIN CUNNINGHAM, COMMISSIONER
NORRIS SEXTON, COMMISSIONER
M. L. BUD OWENS, COMMISSIONER
OTHERS PRESENT
JIM LEDBETTER, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
ANNETTE BERRY, COUNTY CLERK
MEDIA
APPROXIMATELY 14 GUESTS
Chairman Hood called the meeting to order.
Commissioner Sexton made a motion to go into the public hearing for the millage rate.
PUBLIC HEARING FOR MILLAGE RATE
Administrator Ledbetter advised that this is the second of two public hearings regarding the millage rate. This meeting has been advertised as required by law. There are two people that have signed up to speak.
Mr. Christian Paul came before the Board and advised that he is the State Director with the Young Americans for Liberty. He had several questions concerning the millage rate and asked if property taxes would increase. Administrator Ledbetter explained that the millage rate at 9.631 is staying the same as last year, but that property taxes would go up due to the value of the property has increased. Therefore, the same millage rate as last year would collect more property taxes, even though the millage rate stays the same. The next question by Mr. Paul was, then why was it not decided to decrease the millage rate. Administrator Ledbetter explained that is because the costs of providing goods and services have gone up, just like the values of property have gone up. Commissioner Sexton mentioned that the cost of insurance for employees has gone up and has not been passed on to the employees. Administrator Ledbetter concurred that it went up about $800,000. Chairman Hood thanked Mr. Paul for speaking and assured him that the Board is very happy to see a young citizen get involved.
Mr. David Hand came before the Board asking why his taxes have gone up the last three years if the Board has rolled back the millage rate during all those years. He said he realizes that values on commercial property and probably newer houses are going up, but his house is older and should not be going up. Mr. Hand said he has a pending appeal on his tax bill. Administrator Ledbetter asked Mr. Hand to call him and he would make sure that Mr. Hand has a meeting with the Tax Assessor’s office.
Commissioner Cunningham made a motion to close the public hearing. Commissioner Owens seconded the motion and all voted aye. Motion passed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Hood asked if there are any additions, omissions, or deletions to the Minutes for the Work Session September 3, 2019, and the Regular Meeting September 3, 2019. Commissioner Sexton made a motion to approve the Minutes. Commissioner Cunningham seconded the motion and Commissioners Owens, Sexton, and Cunningham voted aye. Motion passed.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Administrator Ledbetter read the report.
COMMISSIONERS’ REPORT
Commissioner Owens commented that the Fair has now been completed and was a success and he wanted to thank Debbie Vance and Courtney Taylor for their commitment to the fair and to this community. Owens also attended the Calhoun College and Career meeting and the Development Authority meeting. He also wanted to report a comment and compliment that was told to him by a couple that has recently moved to Gordon County. They complimented and expressed deep appreciation to Tom Burgess with Building Inspections and Planning and Development Ursula Richardson, and said that they have never received kinder and professional service than they encountered from these county employees. Commissioner Owens said he wanted to commend them and their staff for doing a tremendous job.
Commissioner Cunningham made a motion to open the public hearing for zoning. Commissioner Owens seconded the motion and all voted aye.
PUBLIC HEARING FOR ZONING
A. APPLICATION #Z19-14 OWR, LLC’S REQUEST TO REZONE FROM A-1 TO I-2
County Administrator Ledbetter advised that the attorney for this application has requested to postpone this application to the October 15 meeting.
B. APPLICATION #Z19-15 KEVIN OSBORNE’S REQUEST TO REZONE FROM A-1 TO R-1
Administrator Ledbetter read application #Z19-15 Kevin Osborne’s request to rezone from A-1 to R-1. This comes to the Board of Commissioners from the Planning Commission with their recommendations for approval. No one is signed to speak for or against the rezoning. The comment from the Environmental Health review is that the lot may be unbuildable depending on existing conditions, due to house placement needs to be outside of flood zone plus initial and repair drain field installation. Administrator Ledbetter advised that it is probably appropriate for R-1, whether or not Mr. Osborne can ever get permitted to build on the property because it’s so low.
Commissioner Owens made a motion to approve the rezoning request. Commissioner Cunningham seconded the motion and Commissioners Owens, Cunningham, and Sexton voted aye. Motion passed.
Commissioner Sexton made a motion to close the public hearing. Commissioner Owens seconded the motion and all voted aye.
CONSIDERATION OF UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
CONSIDERATION OF NEW BUSINESS
RE-APPOINTMENT OF RON DOBBS TO THE CALHOUN-GORDON COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY FOR A THREE-YEAR TERM ENDING 6/30/2022
Administrator Ledbetter advised that this is a request from the Airport Authority to re-appoint Ron Dobbs to the Calhoun-Gordon County Airport Authority for a three-year term ending 6/30/2022.
Commissioner Owens made a motion to approve the re-appointment of Ron Dobbs. Commissioner Cunningham seconded the motion and Commissioners Owens, Sexton, and Cunningham voted aye. Motion passed.
DECLARATION OF SURPLUS PROPERTY FOR THE SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT FOR A 2015 FORD TAURUS VIN #1FAHP2MK9FG178114, A 2011 FORD CROWN VICTORIA VIN#2FABP7BV6BX183422, A 2000 FORD ECONOLINE BUS VIN#1FBSS31LOYHBO2753
Administrator Ledbetter advised that this is a declaration of surplus property for the Sheriff’s Department for three vehicles; a 2015 Ford Taurus, a 2011 Ford Crown Victoria, and a 2000 Ford Econoline bus. These vehicles will be added to a future auction by Gordon County.
Commissioner Sexton made a motion to approve the declaration of surplus property for the Sheriff’s Department. Commissioner Cunningham seconded the motion and Commissioners Cunningham, Sexton, and Owens voted aye. Motion passed.
BID AWARD FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT FOR A MOTOR GRADER
Administrator Ledbetter advised that this is a bid award for a motor grader for the Public Works Department. Gordon County received sealed written bids from five vendors. The recommendation is for Yancy Brothers in the amount of $207,723 with the most
responsive bid. The Flint bid did not include a mid-mount scarifier on their machine and so did not meet the county’s specifications, also if the scarifier amount had been included in the bid, Flint would not have been the lowest bid.
Commissioner Cunningham made a motion to approve awarding the bid to Yancey Brothers in Calhoun for a bid of $207,723. Commissioner Owens seconded the motion and Commissioners Sexton, Cunningham, and Owens, voted aye. Motion passed.
BID AWARD FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT FOR A WHEEL LOADER
Administrator Ledbetter advised the Board that this is a bid award for a wheel loader for the Public Works Chert Pit. Gordon County received sealed written bids from eight vendors. The recommendation is for Yancy Brothers in the amount of $191,962 with the most responsive bid.
Commissioner Cunningham made a motion to approve awarding the bid to Yancey Brothers of Calhoun for a bid of 191,962. Commissioner Sexton seconded the motion and Commissioners Sexton, Cunningham, and Owens voted aye. Motion passed.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Sexton made a motion to adjourn the Regular Meeting. Commissioner Cunningham seconded the motion and all voted aye.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
