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The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners held their regular meeting on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 at 9:00 am. Members present were Brandon Braddy, Mark Burns, Clarence Thomas, Charles Truett, and Ronnie Smith.

Chairman Truett called the meeting to order. Invocation was led by Commissioner Thomas followed by the pledge to the flag.

The agenda was amended to move discussion of Stacy Road closing to before comments and to remove Executive Session on a motion by Commissioner Smith, seconded by Commissioner Braddy. Motion carried.

The minutes were approved as corrected on a motion by Commissioner Smith, seconded by Commissioner Thomas. Motion carried.

Appearing before the Board was Robert Wheeler. Mr. Wheeler gave an update on the website. Mr. Wheeler told the Board that the web department is now functional. He is still gathering information from all the offices. Mr. Wheeler asked if anyone wanted to participate in the Christmas parade and if so he will have some website promotional signs made. Commissioner Braddy is going to have an entry and stated he will display the signs.

Mel Kelly reported that EMS had 386 calls with 63 of these being in the county.

Joe Filippone, Director of Economic Development reported that Tri-Crest, a group of business leaders in Montgomery, Toombs, and Tattnall Counties which helps new small business owners, is giving a computer to him for these new business owners to use to help them get started. Mr. Filippone reported on the possibility of a supermarket; the opening of Brown Eyed Susan’s and another tee shirt store on Railroad Street in Mt. Vernon.

Debbie Evans of Toombs Montgomery Chamber reported on upcoming events. January 29^th will be the Chambers annual meeting at the Baptist Church in Vidalia.

Administrator Curry reported that 338 hours were put on the machines and the new grader is in.

Administrator Curry reported that in order for Massy McIntyre and Summy Pittman’s property to be used as a detour into Southland Drive, the county had to agree to a few stipulations. The main one is that if within two years they wanted to give this road to the county, the county will accept it. On a motion by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Braddy the Board agreed to Mr. Massy McIntyre’s stipulations. Motion carried. These stipulations are a part of these official minutes.

The Board received a quit claim deed request from Massy McIntyre on Pine Mountain Dr. in the Southland Subdivision. This deed is for a small triangular piece of land that was put as part of the county property when these roads were laid out. This has let a property owner have no access unless he crosses this piece of land. Mr. McIntyre, Tom Everett and Macky Bryant asked for this deed for the County to relinquish any rights to this property, if the County even has any rights. Chairman Truett stated that when the land was surveyed the survey did not go all the way to the right of way and he felt that the County did not have any legal rights to this piece of property and this is just a legal formality. On a motion by Commissioner Smith, seconded by Commissioner Braddy the Board agreed to sign the quit claim deed. Motion carried.

The Board agreed to adopt the 2009 General Fund and Special Funds Budgets on a motion by Commissioner Braddy, seconded by Commissioner Smith. Motion carried.

On a motion by Commissioner Smith, seconded by Commissioner Braddy the Board agreed to proceed with the procedures of adopting a Voice Over Internet Provider surcharge of $1.50, effective January 1, 2009. Motion carried.

On a motion by Commissioner Burns, seconded by Commissioner Thomas the Board agreed to sign the John Deere motor grader lease agreement. Motion carried.

Administrator Curry informed the Board that ACCG has a program we can participate in that will allow Blue Cross Blue Shield to negotiate prices for inmate medical care. B.C.B.S. will negotiate the bill and we would pay the final cost plus 8% of that cost to B.C.B.S. for handling the claim. On a motion by Commissioner Smith, seconded by Commissioner Braddy the Board agreed to participate in this program with one stipulation. That being if we don’t get a reduced price we do not pay the 8%. Motion carried.

On a motion by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Smith the Board agreed to refund Michael Doherty $516.36 in property taxes because his property was incorrectly assessed. Motion carried.

On a motion by Commissioner Smith, seconded by Commissioner Braddy the Board agreed to allow an A.F.L.A.C. representative to talk to the employees. Motion carried.

Commissioner Braddy made a motion to close a portion of Stacy Road seconded by Commissioner Smith, opening the subject for discussion. At this time the Board heard from property owners on Stacy Road who wants the road closed and some who don’t. Hamilton Jones, Van Thompson and Ben Hamilton want the road closed. Vickie Turner Shirley Holmes, Judy Wilkes, Lucille Satterfield and Ann Morris Carswell want the road to stay open. The Board gave each group 5 minutes to state their case. Van Thompson stated that there is a problem with stealing, littering and night hunting on this road. They only want the part of the road adjacent to their property closed. There is another access to this road by way of McLeod Rd. John Morrison was representing Lucille Satterfield who is ill and could not be there. He stated that fire and EMS would not have access to her property. There is an active cemetery on this road also. He said deer hunting and littering was a law enforcement problem. This road is in good condition. To get to the cemetery you have to pass through a lane on Mr. Thompson’s property or a field off the part that will not be closed. Mr. Thigpen said he would allow access to the cemetery through his property. Commissioner Thomas commented that as far as fire protection being a hindrance, a bulldozer does not recognize a gate and the county does not have a road to the cemetery so they do not have any say so over the property to the cemetery. Chairman Truett stated that there are two ways to access the cemetery and both are behind lock gates. There needs to be some coordination between the property owners and cemetery owners. If the road is closed, traffic will be diverted onto McLeod Rd. McLeod Rd is a narrow road and the County will have to widened it which means the property owners would have to give a right-of-way. Commissioner Thomas made a motion to close the road with the condition that the property owners pay for the cul-de-sac, seconded by Commissioner Braddy. Commissioners Burns and Smith voted against closing the road. The Chairman had to vote in order for the motion to pass. Chairman Truett voted against the closing for reasons stated. Motion failed.

In comments, Commissioner Smith stated that they had a wonderful meeting with Tarrytown officials and a lot of questions were answered.

The Board will have a transition meeting with the commissioners elect on November 5^th at 12:00 noon.

The courthouse repair bids will be opened on November 25 at 1:00 pm.

The county has some recycling items that would be better to give away than to take to the landfill. The Commissioners agreed to give these items away.

The well that is on the right-of-way on Southland will cost $9,999.00 to move. Commissioner Smith made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Thomas to offer $6,000.00 to Mobley’s and we will close the well ourselves. Motion carried.

Commissioner Braddy made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Smith to appoint the commissioners elect as a nominating committee to discuss new board officers that will be elected in the January meeting. Motion carried.

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned on a motion by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Smith. Motion carried.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

TRANSITION MEETING

NOVEMBER, 21, 2008

The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners held a transition meeting with the commissioners elect on Friday, November 21, 2008 at 12:00 noon. Members present were Brandon Braddy, Mark Burns, Clarence Thomas, Charles Truett, and Ronnie Smith. Commissioners elect were Franklin Brantley, John Carpenter and Vernon Sumner.

Chairman Truett introduced everyone.

Each Commissioner talked about different topics including budget/finance, major projects, road department, fire protection/ambulance service/911 communications, solid waste, and SPLOST.

Several questions were asked and answered. A conference call was held at 2:00 with Jim Swan explaining the new jail process.