11/20/2012 BOC Regular Session Minutes
GORDON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 20, 2012
The Gordon County Board of Commissioners held their Regular Meeting on Tuesday, November 20, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Administration Building.
WELCOME
Chairman Bailey welcomed everyone to the meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Bailey asked if there were any additions, omissions, or deletions to the Minutes for the Work Session November 6, 2012, and the Regular Meeting November 6, 2012. Commissioner Long made a motion to approve the minutes. Commissioner Hood seconded the motion and all voted aye. Minutes approved.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Administrator Dowling read the report.
COMMISSIONERS’ REPORT
None
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC – GERMANE TO THE AGENDA
None
CONSIDERATION OF OLD BUSINESS
None
CONSIDERATION OF NEW BUSINESS
- APPROVAL OF BUDGET AMENDMENT TO GRANT A 2% COST-OF-LIVING ALLOWANCE TO COUNTY EMPLOYEES
County Administrator Dowling advised that this item is for consideration of approval by the Board of a budget amendment to grant a 2% cost-of-living allowance to County employees. This is a request by the Board to give the employees a 2% COLA effective with the November 18th pay period. The 2% COLA will cost $173,000 for the remainder of the fiscal year, its $300,000 on an annual basis. There are a few exceptions that will not get the COLA – commissioners, constitutional officers, and superior court judges. Those salaries are set by State law, and the voluntary boards.Commissioner Long made a motion to approve the budget amendment to give the employees a 2% cost-of-living raise. Commissioner Steward seconded the motion. Commissioner Long commented that he appreciates the staff and employees. The Board’s goal, when this recession started, was to keep every employee working, to keep their families paying their bills, and to keep their family’s insurance intact; and that’s what this Board did. This Board kept employees working and we didn’t have to lay off anyone or let anyone go. For that, the employees gave up something, loss of some benefits and raises. This year, this Board has been able to give back all those benefits and now this 2% raise. Chairman Bailey commented that our staff is important, they do a good job and we want to give them this 2% allowance. Chairman Bailey asked for a vote and Commissioners Hood, Steward, and Long voted aye. Motion passed. - REQUEST TO ABANDON LINDA LANE, PETERS STREET, AND THAT PORTION OF EAST MAY STREET FROM LINDA LANE TO PETERS STREET AND ALLOW THE CITY OF CALHOUN TO INCORPORATE THESE ROADS INTO THE CITY ROAD SYSTEM
County Attorney Smith advised that this is a request to abandon Linda Lane, Peters Street, and that portion of East May Street from Linda Lane to Peters Street. These three streets are all currently a part of the county road system, but they are located within the city limits of Calhoun. The City of Calhoun has agreed to assume ownership of these three county roads. This will begin the official abandonment process by which Gordon County can transfer ownership and maintenance to the City of Calhoun.Commissioner Long moved that following a discussion by the Board of Commissioners of a request to abandon Linda Lane, Peters Street, and a portion of East May Street from Linda Lane to Peters Street, that the Board has determined and does certify that the roads identified have ceased to be used by the public to the extent that no substantial public purpose is served by these roads remaining as a part of the Gordon County Road system as all of these roads are now located adjacent to property which is located within the city limits of the City of Calhoun, and that the City of Calhoun has indicated that it is willing to incorporate these roads into the city road system and is willing and desires to take over these designated roads. I further move that Gordon County shall notify all property owners located thereon and the public in general as required by O.C.G.A. Section 32-7-2 of its intent to abandon these roads and shall schedule a public hearing on this issue. Commissioner Hood seconded the motion and Commissioners Long, Hood, and Steward voted aye. Motion passed.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Long made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Hood seconded the motion and all voted aye. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
