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The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners held their regular meeting on Tuesday, February 5, 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 on a motion by Commissioner Braddy, seconded by Commissioner Smith to include under old business Rose Oxley of Drug and Alcohol Testing of Ga. under appearances, at the end of the meeting, a resolution to increase commissioner’s pay in 2009; the Ram O’Neal Road contract and a fire services update. Under new business, the use of metal building behind commissioner’s office; Southern Drainage easement; Domestic Violence Shelter addition; discuss a new motor grader; first responder’s supplies; an Emergency Management Resolution; an Executive Session to discuss personnel, a request from the Red Cross and a SPLOST discussion and to remove John Richter from appearances. Motion carried.

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

Appearing before the Board was Chief Appraiser Terri Smith and Randy Myers from James W. Sewell Company. Mr. Myers gave a presentation on converting the tax assessor’s data from auto cad format to GIS format. Mr. Myers will submit a proposal for this conversion. The Board also discussed purchasing the software to put this information on the county’s website.

Michele from the Toombs-Montgomery Chamber reported on the Chamber’s activities.

Administrator Curry reported that 214 hours had been put on the machines. The rain has delayed all the roads getting graded.

Development Authority Chairman Martin Moses introduced Joe Filippone as the new authority director. On a motion by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Burns the Board appointed Mr. Filippone to the Vidalia Area Visitor and Business Bureau. Motion carried.

Chairman Truett introduced John Neff as the new County Services Coordinator.

At this time Commissioner Braddy excused himself to listen to the jail conference in order to save time.

In new business, the Board agreed to sign the commissioner’s pay increase resolution on a motion by Commissioner Smith, seconded by Commissioner Braddy. Motion carried.

On January 16^th bids were opened from Ellis Wood Construction and Reeves Construction for the paving of Ram O’Neal Road. Ellis Wood bid was $57,519.50 and Reeves bid was $74,474.35. DOT will fund $44,533.00 with the county paying about $29,000.00 which includes some in-kind work. On a motion by Commissioner Smith, seconded by Commissioner Thomas the Board agreed to accept Ellis Wood’s bid. Motion carried.

Commissioner Smith gave a fire services update. Commissioner Smith will submit an article to the paper on the ISO ratings. Some changes will be made to the intergovernmental agreement with the cities. Commissioner Smith asked the Board to consider giving 50% of the insurance premium tax rollback to the fire departments.

Commissioner Braddy informed the Board that a letter of intent is stills the hold up on the jail project.

The Board discussed the future SPLOST with Mayor Fountain. Commissioner Braddy suggested giving the cities 50% of the SPLOST. Mayor Fountain asked for 50% of the cities 50%. Chairman Truett appointed Commissioner Thomas, Administrator Curry, Mayor Fountain, and himself to a committee to explore the SPLOST options.

In new business, the Board approved the purchase of a Massey Ferguson Tractor from David Carswell and to sell the 3930 tractor on a motion by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Braddy. Motion carried.

On a motion by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Braddy the Board approved the purchase of a 6 foot off set harrow from the Wade Thompson estate. Motion carried.

On a motion by Commissioner Burns, seconded by Commissioner Smith the Board signed the ambulance loan resolution.

On a motion by Commissioner Braddy, seconded by Commissioner Thomas the Board agreed to pay off the jail (Palmer) property. The loan amount is $31,983.86. Motion carried.

The Board reviewed audit proposal from Geer for $22,000.00 for the next three years and from McLain Calhoun for $22,500.00 for 2007, $23,500.00 for 2008 and $25,000.00 for 2009. Administrator Curry will talk with McLain Calhoun to see if they will adjust their rates because they are nearer and we have a good working relationship with them.

The Board postponed appointing a new library board member until they receive a recommendation from them.

The metal building behind the commissioner’s office is going get the top recoated so the fire training will have to be moved to another location. This will be addressed later.

On a motion by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Burns the Board agreed to sign a 20 year road and well easement with Southern Drainage. Motion carried.

The Domestic Violence Shelter wants to add an addition for teens and the only cost to the county will be the insurance. On a motion by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Braddy the Board agreed to pay the insurance on the addition. Motion carried.

On a motion by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Smith the Board agreed to sell the John Deere grader. Prices will be obtained for a trade in. Motion carried.

On a motion by Commissioner Smith, seconded by Commissioner Thomas the Board agreed to purchase 10 sets each of blood pressure cuffs at $15.00 each, glucose monitors at $10.00 each and stethoscopes at $10.25 each. Motion carried.

On a motion by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Smith the Board agreed to sign the EMA resolution which establishes the local EMA and the EMA Director’ position. Motion carried.

Donna Heard of the Toombs Chapter American Red Cross appeared before the Board to ask for funds. On a motion by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Smith the Board agreed to give the Red Cross $1,000.00 this year and $4,000.00 annually starting next year. Motion carried.

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

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

On a motion by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Smith the Board appointed Ronnie McLemore and John Richter to the Board of Assessors. Motion carried.

Rose Oxley of Drug and Alcohol Testing of Georgia appeared before the Board to explain her program.

On a motion by Commissioner Smith, seconded by Commissioner Burns the Board agreed to increase the Senior Citizens janitor to $20.00 per day not to exceed 3 hours per day, once the Workforce employment is terminated.

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

MONTGOMERY COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SPECIAL MEETING

FEBRUARY 13, 2008

The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners held a special meeting on Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at 1:00 pm. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss ambulance service with MedStar One representatives.

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

The Board has been informed that Memorial Health, which operated MedStar One, is getting out of the rural ambulance service. The current contract expires July 10, 2008.

Toombs County is willing to go forward with Montgomery County in finding another ambulance service provider. Medstar is willing to assist in this. The salaries for operating the ambulances will cost the county around $200,000.00.

MedStar will submit to the Board a comparison of calls between Toombs and Montgomery County.

The Commissioners will meet with Toombs County later to discuss the ambulance service.