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The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners held their regular meeting on Tuesday, March 6, 2007 at 9:00 am. Members present were Brandon Braddy, Mark Burns, Clarence Thomas, and Charles Truett. Commissioner Smith was absent due to illness.

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

The agenda was amended on a motion by Commissioner Burns, seconded by Commissioner Braddy to include under appearances Sheriff Sanders, Wayne Day on a proposed subdivision, and a mobile home variance request from Randall Morris and Ryan Toole and under new business the appointment of members to the Heart of Georgia Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee. Motion carried.

The minutes from the previous meeting were approved as written on motion by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Braddy. Motion carried.

Terry McCormick of McCormick Consulting appeared before the Board to give an update on the county wide re-evaluation. Mr. McCormick told the Board that they were completely finished with the field work and the data entry and the valuement
of the land and they are putting the finishing touches on the schedules. The assessment notices will go in the mail on April 13.

Robert and Barbara Wheeler appeared before the Board with concerns about loose dogs in the county. They would like to see some type of ordinance to control this problem. Mr. Wheeler will get the Board a copy of the City of Ailey’s ordinance. They also had concerns about young kids riding 4-wheelers on paved roads.

Randall Morris and Ryan Toole requested a mobile home variance on 2006 mobile home. Pictures were provided of this home. This request was granted on a motion by Commissioner Braddy, seconded by Commissioner Thomas. Commissioner Burns opposed. Chairman Truett voted in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Sheriff Sanders requested his appearance be in Executive Session.

Wayne Day appeared before the Board to discuss putting a mobile home park on highway 135 between Alston and Uvalda. Mr. Day plans to have public water and septic tanks for this park. Mr. Day has just less than five acres and the ordinance requires 10. The Commissioners will review the sub-division ordinance and suggested Mr. Day check with the Health Department to get their requirements, get a preliminary plan and come back before the Board.

Johnny Clifton, Director of Economic Development reported two inquiries, both retail related. Mr. Clifton continues to work with a renewal energy prospect. Mr. Clifton reported that Sikes Cookers has moved into the former Vidalia Box building in the industrial park. This company builds pricy stainless steel cookers. Mr. Clifton reported that the Vidalia Area Convention and Visitors Bureau received a $20,000.00 grant from the Department of Economic Development and some of this money is being used to run ads on WTOC TV to promote the community and they are using some of the funding for some people from Outdoor Magazine who will canoe the Altamaha River this weekend and are also updating some brochures of the area. Mr. Clifton reported on events and meetings he had attended including one with Ed Lightsey of Georgia Trend Magazine which is going to do a feature on The Toombs-Montgomery Chamber in the May issue.

Bill Mitchell of the Toombs-Montgomery Chamber of Commerce gave an update on the Chambers activities and gave the Board several issues of the new Toombs-Montgomery “A Great Place to Call Home” brochure. Mr. Mitchell informed the Board of a ribbon cutting for Horton’s Collision Center March 14, at 1:30. Mr. Mitchell left nominations forms for the new Leadership class. The Showcasing Toombs-Montgomery is on May 4 at the Vidalia Community Center.

David Curry, County Administrator reported all roads in the lower part of the County had been graded this past month. There were problems with one of the graders for a few days. They are still looking for a truck with a dump bed. Mr. Curry will get with DOT to look into getting rock for some of the roads.

In old business, after County Attorney Bryant reviewed the illegal dumping laws the Board decided to keep the current illegal dumping ordinance.

In new business, on a motion by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Braddy the Board agreed to sign the Middle Georgia CAA Third Party Operator Agreement. Motion carried.

The Board agreed to the Heart of Georgia Purchase of Service agreement.

The Board tabled the 5311 van purchase contract until it could be located.

Chairman Truett read a letter from Tax Commissioner Lane requesting a $129.33 refund on property taxes paid by Cathy Haymans because the Assessors office had mistakenly removed her homestead exemption. This request was granted on a motion by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Braddy. Motion carried.

Administrator Curry informed the Board that the estimated cost for paving Southland Drive is $533,734.00 for engineering and construction. The Grant administration on this project is $30,000.00 totaling $563,734.00. The grant will be $500,000.00 which will leave the county around $63,734.00 to put in. This project is right at 2 miles. An additional County expense will be a huge drain going into Southland which is estimated around $30,000.00. The total cost to the County will be around $95,000.00. This grant has yet to be approved by DCA. Commissioner Braddy made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Thomas to have Statewide do the engineering and Governmental Consulting do the grant writing if this grant is approved. Motion carried. The County will go ahead and start working on the drain.

After discussing hiring the part time janitor who is currently funded by Experienced Works, the Board took no action.

The Board agreed to hold open house for the new HeadStart on March 21 at 1:00 if HeadStart agrees.

There will be a meeting with 9-1-1 tomorrow at 2:00 at the Toombs County Detention Center.

The discussing of Emergency Reimbursement Services was tabled until after Executive Session.

After discussing a $400.00 estimate for the removal of 4 tree stumps at the courthouse the Board agreed to get more estimates.

The Board reviewed a letter from the Board of Assessors informing the Commissioners that they had selected a company to do the personal property re-val. The Board will discuss this later.

The Heart of Georgia requested the appointment of two members to the Economic Development District Strategy Committee. The Commissioners will think of someone to appoint until after Executive Session.

The Board agreed to allow Roger Demmer to pick up old discarded drainage pipe from around the county on a motion by Commissioner Burns, seconded by Commissioner Braddy. This pipe will be identified and located by the county. Motion carried.

In comments, Commissioner Thomas said something needs to be done about the tin that is coming off the barn. Funds from the Holland fund can be used. Estimates for materials to fix up the trailer will be gotten.

A typewriter will be purchased from M&G Office for the Tax Commissioner.

Attorney Bryant informed the Board they did not need a policy for not doing work on a state road. Mr. Bryant said it is a state law that this can not be done. Mr. Bryant drafted a policy on how these request will be handled.

On a motion by Commissioner Braddy, seconded by Commissioner Thomas the Board went into Executive Session. Motion carried.

On a motion by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Burns the Board came out of Executive Session. Motion carried.

Commissioner Braddy left the meeting at this time.

On a motion by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Burns the Board agreed to the 5311 van purchase contract. Chairman Truett had to vote in order for the motion to pass. Chairman Truett voted in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

The Emergency Reimbursement Services will be discussed at the next meeting.

The Board will ask Allen Thigpen and Al Johnston to serve on the Heart of Georgia Economic development Strategy Committee.

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

PUBLIC HEARING
MARCH 6, 2007

The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing on Tuesday, March 6, 2007 at 7:00 at the Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church Social Hall. The purpose of the hearing was to discuss the jail issue.

Members present were Brandon Braddy, Mark Burns, Clarence Thomas, and Charles. Truett.

There were about 25 citizens at the hearing.

Chairman Truett explained the need for a new jail. The old jail was condemned and the county has been housing out the inmates. Last year over $350,000.00 was spent on housing and medical bills. There was an increase in over $80,000.00 since 2005. Chairman Truett explained how the Board has been working on what is need in this new jail. The new SPLOST can build the jail and still have funds for the cities and roads and bridges. This jail will be built on a lease/purchase plan from ACCG and be built by the Department of Corrections with inmate labor.

The Commissioners answered questions like can we house other inmates, how long will it take to build the jail; how many employees will it take to operate it; would our insurance cover the other inmates; does the county have property for the jail to be built on?

CALLED MEETING
MARCH 22, 2007

The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners held a called meeting on Thursday, March 22, 2007 at 4:00 pm. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the recent SPLOST vote and the future of the Montgomery County Jail.

Members present were Brandon Braddy, Mark Burns, Clarence Thomas, and Charles Truett.

Chairman Truett called the meeting to order and Commissioner Thomas led the invocation.

The Board discussed the SPLOST vote on March 20, stating that only 18% of the voters voted. Out of courtesy for the cities the ballot was held off until March so they could get their projects together. Approximately 200 people attended the hearings and about 10 voiced opposition at each meeting. Because the SPLOST vote failed, the county’s credit rate fell.

The question now is where does the County go from here?

Attorney Bryant stated that there was no way to build a jail now without raising taxes. A bond would have to be paid for out of general fund. The Board feels that they should explore all options.

On a motion by Commissioner Burns, seconded by Commissioner Braddy the Board agreed to appoint a committee to explore all financing options. The Board members on the committee will be Commissioner Braddy and Chairman Truett. Motion carried.

Mrs. Linda Page agreed to be on this committee and the Board will ask Lendle Hamilton with possibly some other citizens.

On a motion by Commissioner Braddy, seconded by Commissioner Thomas the Board went into Executive Session to discuss legal issues with the County Attorney. Motion carried.

On a motion by Commissioner Braddy seconded by Commissioner Burns the Board came out of Executive Session. Motion carried.

No action was taken as a result of Executive Session.

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