Montgomery County Georgia Web Portal

The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners held their regular meeting on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 at 9:00 am. Members present were Brandon Braddy, Mark Burns, Clarence Thomas, Charles Truett and Ronnie Smith.

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

The agenda was amended on a motion by Commissioner Burns, seconded by Commissioner Smith to include an ISO report; an appearance by Mona Bell in commissioner’s comments; mowing tractors and a conveyer belt for solid waste under new business. Motion carried.

The minutes from the previous meeting were approved as amended to correct the owner of Municipal Corrections as Terry O’Brien and to add personnel for the reason of the Executive Session on a motion by Commissioner Smith, seconded by Commissioner Thomas. Motion carried.

Appearing before the Board was Tracy Clark of McLain, Calhoun, McCullough, Clark & Co. Mr. Clark reviewed the 2006 audit. Mr. Clark stated that their opinion was unqualified and a single audit was conducted.

Carol Foskey appeared before the Board to read a poem, “An American Solider”, which will be presented to the Governor for a proclamation for the State. She asked that this poem be allowed to be put on a marker that will be placed at the courthouse. Commissioner Smith made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Braddy to allow this poem placed on this marker. Motion carried.

Rose Dixon and Ginger White from the School appeared before the Board to ask them to participate in the Youth Apprenticeship Program. This program will allow students that are interested in law and criminal justice to work in the courthouse offices for school credit. These students will work 15 hours a week and be paid minimum wage. The school will draft an overview for the Board of how this will work. The Board will see if the budget will allow for this.

Johnny Clifton, Director of Economic Development reported that the Authority is prepared to issue an Industrial Revenue Bond to Brewton Parker which will save the college about 8 million dollars over the next 20 years. Mr. Clifton will look into getting retail to businesses to look at the land that was previously the location for the new jail. A new Restaurant will be opening in September where Mary’s Kitchen was located. Representative Greg Morris will meet with the Board in November to discuss the fair tax issue. An Economic Development section has been added to the County’s web site. The next Tech Smart meeting will be held on September 26^th from 11:00am until 1:00pm at the Commissioner’s office.

Bill Mitchell, Director of Toombs-Montgomery Chamber of Commerce reported that Ashley Mfg. will have a ribbon cutting on September 18 and reported on other upcoming events.

Administrator Curry reported that all roads had been graded and that one grader was down for about 2 weeks.

David Herrin, EMA Director reported that the ISO ratings were in. Mt. Vernon is rated a 5; Alston is a 4/9; Higgston #1 is a 4/9, Higgston #2 is a 5/9; Ailey is a 6/9; Uvalda is a 5/9. Tarrytown and the Prison ratings have not come in yet. The first number is for the city and the second number is the areas outside the five mile radius.

In old business the Board appointed Joe Strickland, Jesse Fountain, Matt Mead and Evon Hicks to the Board of Assessors on a motion by Commissioner Smith, seconded by Commissioner Braddy. Motion carried. One more member will be appointed in October. On a motion by Commissioner Braddy, seconded by Commissioner Thomas the Board agreed for these members to serve staggered terms to be determined by the Chairman. Motion carried.

The Board agreed to swap with the City of Mt. Vernon the 3.85 acre property adjacent to the jail for the 12.329 acre property behind Oconee Produce for the new jail on a motion by Commissioner Smith, seconded by Commissioner Burns. Motion carried.

On a motion by Commissioner Smith, seconded by Commissioner Braddy the Board agreed to hire a consultant to determine the feasibility of having 911 handled by the county. Motion carried. Michael Croft is allowing space for a 911 office in the new jail.

Senator Tommie Williams is working on the road right-of-way entrance into the new jail site.

Commissioner Smith left the meeting at this time due to an emergency.

In old business, the Board discussed the animal nuisance ordinance. After Mr. Wheeler reviews a model ordinance from DCA the Board will discuss this further.

On a motion by Commissioner Braddy, seconded by Commissioner Burns the Board agreed to sign the Re-val loan note resolution. Motion carried.

Chairman Truett read a letter from the Tax Assessor’s Office requesting another phone line for a fax. The Board agreed that this office could share the Tax Commissioner’s fax line which could be relocated to be nearer to their door.

After reading a letter from the Tax Assessor’s Office requesting building permit enforcement the Board agreed to ask someone from that office to come explain what they are requesting.

The Board agreed not to participate in the local census update of addresses.

The Board agreed to bid out the audit service contract.

Pady Ford is going out of business and Mr. Lamb has some of his equipment for sale for what he owes on it. He has a Mahindra 6500/Rhino 15 ft mower for $21,991.40 plus interest and a Mahindra 7010 Cab/Rhino 15 ft mower for $29,800.00 plus interest. On a motion by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Braddy the Board agreed to purchase these mowers if these are the best prices. Motion carried.

On a motion by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Braddy the Board agreed to purchase a new conveyer belt for Solid Waste from Atlantic Belt for $1,221.00. Motion carried.

In Commissioners Comments the Board reviewed the model nuisance ordinance from DCA and discussed what to leave in and take out including Mr. Wheeler’s proposals. On a motion by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Braddy the Board decided to use this as the nuisance ordinance. Motion carried. This ordinance will be presented at the next meeting.

Mona Bell, Magistrate Judge appeared before the Board to ask for more office space. After discussing options the Board decided to meet with all courthouse office personnel to discuss the most feasible way to locate these offices. This meeting will be held on September 27^th at 12:00 noon.

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

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

No action was taken as a result of Executive Session.

The Board denied a tax penalty waiver request from Heather Williams.

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

MONTGOMERY COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SPECIAL MEETING

SEPTEMBER 27, 2007

The Montgomery County Board of Commisioners held a special meeting on Thursday, September 27, 2007 at 12:00 noon in the Coroner’s Office in the Courthouse. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss courthouse office space with the Sheriff, Probate Judge, Magistrate Judge, Registrar, Clerk of Court, and Coroner. Members present were Brandon Braddy, Mark Burns, Clarence Thomas, and Charles Truett.

The Board discussed possible ways to relocate the offices so everyone would have enough room. The Board heard input from all officials as to what they needed and then looked at the offices in the courthouse. No decision was made at this time.

The Board then recessed to the Commissioner’s Office to meet with Michael Croft of Michael Croft Enterprises to discuss the jail. Mr. Croft reviewed blueprints of the new jail the Board. Mr. Croft stated this will be a 512 bed jail and is about a 40 million dollar deal. Construction should start in December.

The Board agreed to a mutual aid agreement between the city of Mt. Vernon and the Sheriff’s Department on a motion by Commissioner Burns, seconded by Commissioner Thomas. Motion carried.

On a motion by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Braddy the Board agreed to purchase the mowing equipment from Pady Ford Company. Motion carried.

On a motion by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Braddy the Board agreed to appoint Sharon Strickland to the Board of Assessors. Motion carried.

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