Administrator’s Report for November 1, 2016
Posted |
Financial Update:
- Sales Tax Revenue: Gordon County received $394,769.46 Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) and $569,172.84 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) during October 2016, representing a $61,633.99 (13.50%) decline in LOST revenue and a $88,730.03 (13.49%) decline in SPLOST revenue compared to October 2015. The majority of the decline in sales tax revenue during the month of October is largely due to a recent audit conducted by the State Department of Revenue.
- Group Health Insurance: Insurance premiums have increased during the first four months of the current fiscal year by $377,468.19, compared to the first four months of the previous year. The Human Resource Department is closely monitoring these costs. HR continues to promote wellness examinations, encourage healthy lifestyles through email reminders, and coordinate the employee Walking Challenge through November 11th.
Significant Projects:
- Government Plaza Building: Exterior brick repairs were completed last week on the south side of the building. Momon Construction has positioned the rooftop air-conditioning units. Cherokee Mechanical and Trane are preparing to complete the installation and considering extending ductwork connections to the 2nd level to minimize the internal temperature differential between the levels. Replacement double-paned high efficiency windows are now being fabricated for installation later this month.
- Health Department: Coordination with the State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regarding the state owned property located behind the Health Department is ongoing. The DNR is scheduled to meet with the State Property Commission on November 2nd to discuss how ownership should be transferred to the county, which could allow the new building to be built behind the existing facility without disruption in service delivery.
- Recreation Grants: The evaluation committee completed their review of sealed proposals for the preparation of a Greenway/Blue Way system master plan and feasibility study. The committee recommended Kaizen Collaborative at the price of $50,000. The work will be executed with an Appalachian Regional Commission grant with matching county funds.
- Ranger Fire Station: Reconstruction of the Ranger Fire Station began last week and work is underway. Framing will be completed this week and the electrical contractor will begin work when the framing is finished. The Fire Department expects this project to be completed by the end of November 2016.
Departmental Update:
- Purchasing: Bids were evaluated from six qualified vendors for the purchase of a tandem dump truck for the Public Works Department. The staff has recommended the purchase of a 2017 Mack from Nextran Truck Center priced at $123,344.91 using 2012 SPLOST funds.
- Fire Fighter Graduation: The County Fire Department and City Fire Department will host a joint Fire Fighter Graduation Ceremony November 3rd at 7:00 p.m. at Heritage Baptist. The Fire Fighters will be recognized for completing 9 weeks of instruction, which included live fire training, hazardous materials certification, and rigorous skill testing.
