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The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners held their regular meeting on Tuesday, November 6, 2007 at 9:00 am. Members present were Brandon Braddy, Mark Burns, Clarence Thomas, Charles Truett and Ronnie Smith.

The invocation was led by Commissioner Braddy followed by the pledge to the flag.

The agenda was amended to include under appearances Mitch Fulmer from Ailey and Joey Fountain from Mt. Vernon, Annette Holton and her attorney Massey McIntyre; under old business a jail update; and under new business Comcast rate increase to be just information. Commissioner Smith made a notion to accept the agenda as amended, seconded by Commissioner Braddy. Motion carried.

The minutes from the previous meeting were amended to change square footage on a building and to state that Jimmy Braddy would continue the first responder meetings until a new County Services Coordinator could be hired. On a motion by Commissioner Smith, seconded by Commissioner Burns the minutes were approved as amended. Motion carried.

Appearing before the Board was Tax Appraiser Terri Smith. Ms. Smith informed the Board that the current fine for not obtaining a building permit is $50.00. After discussing the issue, Commissioner Smith made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Thomas to increase the fine to $100.00 and to place an ad in the paper and on the tax notices notifying people of this fine for failure to obtain a building permit. Motion carried. Ms. Smith will place this ad in the Monitor.

Dale Kight appeared before the Board representing some of the first responders and volunteer fire departments. Mr. Kight inquired about David Herrin’s resignation. Chairman Truett told Mr. Kight that information concerned personnel and should not be discussed for Mr. Herrin’s benefit. Mr. Kight also expressed concerns about the first responder and fire fighters. Commissioner Smith invited him and anyone else with concerns to a fire chief’s meeting with Skip Starling on November 13^th at 6:30 pm at the Adult Literacy Center where these concerns can be addressed.

Mitch Fulmer from Ailey and Joey Fountain from Mt. Vernon appeared before the Board with concerns about the county redistricting plan. After discussing this issue Commissioner Smith made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Braddy to hold off on the new redistricting and keep the current map until it can be looked at again. Motion carried.

Massie McIntyre appeared before the Board representing Annette Holton. Mr. McIntyre had questions about the sub-division ordinance and how it applied to Mrs. Holton. Mr. McIntyre said Mrs. Holton started dividing her property before the ordinance became effective. He stated Mrs. Holton had been led to believe by former Commission Chairman Wyman Morris that the county would accept a road into this property. Mr. McIntyre will meet with the Board after the December 4^th meeting at 11:30 to discuss this further.

Johnny Clifton, Director of Economic Development reported on 3 prospects. One is a consultant representing a prospect that is looking to bring a federally subsidized health care facility where a person can go to the doctor and dentist for $25.00 per visit. Another prospect is for a hotel and restaurant. This prospect feels these will be needed here because of the new jail. Another retail development consultant is trying to get a Sonic here. Mr. Clifton informed the Board that the Brewton Parker Industrial Revenue Bond has been completed. Mr. Clifton reported on other events.

Bill Mitchell, director of Toombs Montgomery Chamber of Commerce reported on upcoming events.

David Curry reported that all roads had been graded and the bush cutter had covered the county. They are still pulling ditches and have two graders on a road at the same time. The inmates are going behind the ditch pulling to clean up the debris. The plan is to keep two graders together all the time.

In old business, Commissioner Burns informed the Board that Matt Mead has resigned from the Tax Assessor’s Board. Commissioner Smith found someone who was willing to serve but her employer would not let her miss work to attend training. The commissioners will continue to look for someone to serve on this board.

On a motion by Commissioner Smith, seconded by Commissioner Burns the Board agreed for the administrator to submit bid proposal request to companies for the paving of Ram O’Neal Road. The State will provide $43,000.00 which should take care of the paving. The County will provide grading and drainage. Motion carried.

The Board agreed to participate in the student work program on a motion by Commissioner Smith, seconded by Commissioner Braddy. One student will work in the courthouse offices for the minimum hour requirements or 15 hours per week and be paid minimum wage. This student can also work at the commissioner’s office if needed. Start date will be January 14^th and end May 30^th. Motion carried.

This morning’s phone conference regarding the jail was canceled.

On a motion by Commissioner Braddy, seconded by Commissioner Burns the Board adopted the 2008 General Fund and Special Funds Budgets. Motion carried.

Robert Wheeler asked the Board to consider allowing citizens to pay their taxes in two installments. Tax Commissioner Lane stated that this is usually not done unless it is a severe hardship case. The Board made no decision at this time.

Chairman Truett explained that the Comcast price increase was only for pay-per-view movies.

The Board discussed the R.D.C. redistricting issue. Johnny Clifton explained the reason for this redistricting is to reduce the number of R.D.C.’s and to tie them to a metropolitan statistical area. The Commissioner’s will try to attend the Region 9 meeting regarding this issue on November 8^th at the Vidalia Community Center.

In comments, Commissioner Smith reminded the Board of the meeting with Skip Starling and Barry Brown at 4:00 on November 13 at the Commissioners office and the 6:30 meeting with fire chiefs at the Adult Literacy Center.

Commissioner Thomas informed the Board that the rescue boats and motors are in bad shape. The Board will start looking for some to replace these.

Commissioner Thomas informed the Board that the road department could use another truck. They have found a 1999 model with 29,000 miles for $5,500.00. On a motion by Commissioner Smith, seconded by Commissioner Braddy the Board agreed to pay up to $5,500.00 if this truck is suitable for county use. Motion carried.

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

MONTGOMERY COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

CALLED MEETING

NOVEMBER 13, 2007

The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners held a called meeting on Tuesday November 13, 2007 at 4:00 pm. Members present were Clarence Thomas, Charles Truett and Ronnie Smith. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss 911 with Barry Brown from Toombs 911 and a 5 year fire plan with Skip Starling from National Fire Services Organization.

Mr. Brown told the Board that the 911 dispatchers were confused on how to dispatch fire departments in Montgomery County because each department had different Standard Operating Procedures. Mr. Brown stated that mapping of the county needs to be in the 911 database. Prices for this will be obtained.

Mr. Starling informed the Board that the 1^st responders need to fall under the fire departments and not EMA. This helps in ISO ratings.

Mr. Starling discussed the Fire Services Coordinator’s job duties.

Mr. Starling will look over the County Services Coordinator job applications and decide the pros and cons of each applicant.

Also discussed was the displaying of 911 signs.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

CALLED MEETING

NOVEMBER 26, 2007

The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners held a called meeting on November 26, 2007 at 12:15 pm. The purpose of the meeting was to sign the bond resolution for the jail and to discuss 911 mapping. Members present were Brandon Braddy, Charles Truett and Ronnie Smith.

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

On a motion by Commissioner Braddy, seconded by Commissioner Smith the Board adopted the bond resolution and authorized the chairman to sign the lease agreement with Municipal Corrections Montgomery LLC for the new jail. Motion carried.

Randy Myers, consultant for John W. Sewall Company conducted a presentation regarding 911 mapping. Mr. Myers discussed cleaning up the data so all information will be uniform. This will take about 8 to 10 weeks and will cost around $9,972.00. Mr. Myers can also convert AutoCAD to GIS format for $9,800.00 and maintain the data for $4,800.00 annually. Mr. Myers will write a simple proposal and contract for the December 4^th meeting.

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