Commission Could Name Staff Attorney at Thursday Meeting

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — The Dawson County Board of Commissioners is expected to name a staff attorney when it meets in a regular session Thursday at 6 p.m.

The county decided in December to end its 20-year agreement with Joey Homans of the Fox, Chandler, Homans, Hicks and McKinnon law firm. County Manager David Headley said the decision was “mainly an efficiency and economics issue.”

The finalists for the position are Monroe Lynn Fry III and Richard Stancil.

Frey has over 35 years’ experience in civil practice, including litigation, local government, contracts, employment law and insurance matters. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in religion in three years at Emory University then attended the University of Georgia Law School, graduating with a degree in Juris Doctor, Cum Laude. He served the City of Brunswick until 2011 when the City chose to outsource its legal services and he went into private practice

Stancil served as Hiawassee City Attorney from 2007 to 2009 and City Manager from 2007-2016. Prior to working with the City of Hiawassee, he worked for a general practice law firm. He is experienced in civil and criminal litigation, corporate and nonprofit law, administrative representation, personal injury and real estate.

Commissioners are also expected to approve a staff recommendation to implement a debt collection and write-off policy for its emergency services department and select an agency to carry out collections.

In other action, the board will consider issuing a Letter of Roundabout Support to the Georgia Department of Transportation, for work at the intersection of SR 136 and Bailey Waters/Keith Evans.

Public Works Director David McKee told the board last week there have been many serious accidents at that intersection and the letter does not necessarily mean a roundabout will be built but without the letter, the GDOT will still take action to make it safer.

McKee is also seeking approval to increase fees at the county transfer station. Current fees are $5-$22 lower than surrounding transfer stations and landfills.

McKee said his staff has reviewed all fee options and recommends the bulk garbage rate be increased to $44 per ton. Staff also recommends a minimum fee of $5 per load weighed. If approved, bagged garbage rates will remain the same at .50 per bag with a 10 bag limit. Any garbage over 10 bags shall be weighed.