Commissioners Adopt New Budget Calendar

A new class of Lumpkin County volunteer firefighters received certificates at last night’s Board of Commissioners meeting

 

DAHLONEGA, Ga. – The Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution to amend the 2017 budget calendar for adoption of the 2018 budget at Tuesday’s meeting.

The proposed budget will be presented at the Board of Commissioners work session on June 6. On June 12 and June 23 the Board of Commissioners and Budget Committee will meet to set the final proposed budget.

On July 26, the county will publish the proposed millage rate and five-year history and advertise for public hearings and the availability of the budget. If the proposed millage rate increase is beyond the rollback rate, commissioners must conduct at least three public hearings.

One public hearing is set for August 8 at 6 p.m. in the County Administration Building. If the proposed millage rate is beyond the roll-back rate, additional public hearings will be held on August 8 at 7 p.m., August 10 at 9 a.m. and August 15 at 4 p.m.

At 6 p.m. on August 15, commissioners will adopt the resolution that sets the final millage rate.

Commissioners opened Tuesday’s meeting with a resolution honoring the Fire Department Volunteer recruits. Emergency Services Director David Wimpy awarded certificates to those who successfully completed their rigorous training regimen. Wimpy also honored Carlton Smith, who was promoted to the rank of lieutenant.

The board renewed health insurance coverage for employees, adopting Option 2 which increases the amount employees pay for employee only coverage from 13.85 percent to 15 percent and employee plus dependent coverage from 22-31.5 percent.

Commissioners also approved:

• A new timber ordinance that requires timber operations to provide a notice to the county before starting timber harvesting activity;
• Submission of an application to the state for funding from the Hazardous Waste Trust Fund;
• The naming of the intersection of Mill Creek Road and Little Mountain Road the Crane Intersection in recognition of the Crane family’s contribution to Lumpkin County;
• A resolution authorizing the sale of a 1995 Ford Super Club Wagon, 1983 Ford and 1985 Hahn firetruck as surplus material and if they cannot be sold the destruction and disposal of said items;
• Reappointment of Jack Thompson and appointment of Lewis Houser to the Veterans’ Affairs Advisory Committee;
• The Tourism Development Services contract with the Chamber of Commerce;
• Awarding the bid for construction of a fueling station to United Pump Controls in the amount of $384,626. Budget amount was $255,000. The county will take $65,000 from SPLOST for the next two years to make up the difference;
• Renewal of the medical services contract This is a renewal agreement between Lumpkin County EMS and Jack Miller, Jr., M.D. in the amount of $2,500 annually;
• Go Green Medical Waste Solutions Service Agreement at a cost of $100 per 30-gallon bio-box to pick up and dispose of all LCES Bio-Hazard waste;
• Acceptance of a Georgia Emergency Management Agency Hazard Mitigation Grant to provide funding in the aftermath of a disaster or to reduce the long term risks from a natural tragedy;
• A contract with Legacy Link to provide nutrition wellness and support services to the Senior Center. State and Federal funding will provide $116,902 and the county will provide a match of $6,552;
• Colditz Trucking Contract amendment to include five more roads to the original contract;
• The Ad Valorem Tax Billing & Collection agreement with the City of Dahlonega;
• Planning Department request to apply for reimbursement from the state’s Hazardous Waste Trust Fund and
• Renewal of the contract for Disaster Emergency Services and Disaster Debris Removal.