Thurmond, Gaines Take Place on Board of Commissioners

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — The Dawson County Board of Commissioners welcomed two newcomers to the first meeting of the new year Thursday. New Commission Chairman Billy Thurmond presided over the work session and special called meetings and Chris Gaines took his seat as the new commissioner representing District 2.

First order of business during the work session was for the new Board to consider a request by Public Defender Brad Morris to renew an intergovernmental agreement with Hall County to share the cost of two employees in the Public Defender’s office equally. The contract has been in place since 2005. The expense required to fund the IGA ($70,059.13) has been requested and approved in the 2017 budget.

Morris also presented a request that the county renew a contract with the State of Georgia to fund the cost for one attorney and one administrative assistant as State employees in the Georgia Public Defender’s Council.
The contract covers the two employees’ salaries and cost of employment as set forth in Attachment B to the State Contract, and a 5 percent management fee ($180,186.32).:

Next, Emergency Services Director Lanier Swafford presented a request for his department to apply for a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant (SAFER). The grant program was established to assist local fire departments with staffing and deployment capabilities in order to respond to emergencies safely and meet National Standards.

The grant is 100% covered for the cost of salary and benefits for two years.The only cost the county would incur would be the cost of uniforms and gear (approximately $2,000.00 per employee per year). At the end of the two years, the grant offers three options – employing agency assumes responsibility of the cost; apply for a hardship extension to the grant if local funding is limited; termination without penalty.

After two years, the cost for 6 employees would be $231,702 plus benefits. The cost for nine employees would be $347,553.

Commissioners will appoint a vice chairman at the next regular meeting and is expected to renew the contract with Danielle Yarbrough.

During the special called meeting that followed immediately after the conclusion of the work session, commissioners appointed new members to the county’s Planning Commission.

Commissioner Sharon Fausett appointed Jason Hamby to the commission with Haynes Johnson to serve as alternate.

Commissioner Gaines appointed John Maloney with Jeff Looper to serve as alternate.

Commissioner Jim Hamby appointed Tim Bennett with Joan Gibbs to serve as alternate.

Commissioner Julie Nix appointed Neil Hornsey with Mike Miller to serve as alternate.

Chairman Thurmond appointed John Dooley but has not named an alternate. All appointees terms will run concurrently with the commissioner who appointed them.