Dawson County Board of Commissioners Archives - Page 5 of 13 - DawsonDawson

Commissioners set millage rate, impact fees

News August 17, 2018 , by Bill Johnson

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Dawson County’s 2019 millage rate is set at 8.138. During Thursday’s third and final public hearing, commissioners voted 3-1 to keep the rate the same as it has been for the last 10 years.

The rollback rate of 7.393 would have generated the same amount of revenue as it has in 2018.

The lone citizen to speak Thursday was Tony Passarello who asked commissioners to consider a compromise between the proposed rate of 8.138 and the rollback rate

Passarello said his position had evolved over the past several months from one supporting the current millage rate to where he could see the argument for a rollback rate.

“Is there an opportunity for us come to a compromise,” he asked. “As someone who has been in sales for a number of years, I can tell you that the best negotiations are the ones where nobody comes away happy.”

District 2 Commissioner Chris Gaines made a motion for the millage rate be set 8.0635. District 3 Commissioner Jimmy Hamby asked how much that would save individual homeowners. Finance Director Vickie Neikirk came up with a quick calculation of about $7.45 on a $250,000 home. The motion failed 3-1.

After two weeks of open departmental budget hearings, commissioners felt they needed the extra revenue to balance the budget, improve the infrastructure provide the services citizens want.

Commissioners also voted to impose the maximum impact fees on new development, again on a 3-1 vote with Gaines opposed. The maximum fees include $3,400 for a new home, $1.88 per square foot for a super market and $1.64 per square foot for a shopping center.

Dawson County Chamber of Commerce President Christie Haynes said, “Our chamber is very concerned that a move from zero impact fees to maximum impact fees will overnight change our community into one that is perceived to be anti-business.”

She asked commissioners to consider adopting impact fees at 25 percent of the maximum for at least the first year and she pointed out that the maximum rate would place a higher cost of doing business in Dawson County than much larger counties like Hall, Forsyth and Cherokee.

Gaines said he, too, worried about sending an anti-business message. “We all want to attract higher-paying wages, he said. Setting impact fees at the maximum, he added is, “Simply putting another road block.”

District 1 Commissioner Sharon Fausett argued that by not setting the maximum impact fees, the cost of new services created by the developments shifts to taxpayers already in the county. “I don’t think it should shift onto somebody else. It should be on those businesses.”

Chairman Billy Thurmond, who does not have a vote except in the case of a tie, said, “I think it would be in the best interest that we start the business category at 25 percent.” He stated, the fee could always be raised if it did not appear to discourage desired businesses from moving to the county.

“We talked about that a long time, where we’re looking for technology-based companies or medical,” he said. “We don’t want to take the chance where we may not get the high-paying jobs that come along with that.”

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

Commission to set millage rate, impact fees

News August 15, 2018 , by Bill Johnson

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — Dawson County Commissioners have two important issues to decide during Thursday’s Board of Commissioners meeting: The millage rate and impact fees.

The millage rate is set for the third of three required public hearings. Commissioners could vote to keep the current millage rate 8.138, apply the rollback rate of 7.393 mills or increase the rate.

The most likely course of action is to keep the millage rate at 8.138, where it has been the last 10 years. That would allow the county to raise an additional $1.3 million in revenue above last year. Setting the rollback rate would mean the county would generate the same amount of revenue as last year. One mill equals about $1 for every $1,000 in assessed property value.

District 2 Commissioner Chris Gaines said Wednesday, “My first goal as a conservative is always going to be to find a way to save on taxes and roll back as much as possible. I know we won’t be able to roll back much because the county does have some tremendous needs.”

Gaines mentioned the need to replace aging equipment rather than paying for costly repairs again and again as one need.

“I’ve gone through budgets many times before both here and during my time on city council,” he said. “But this year I’ve spent more time than ever before trying to make sure I’m looking at every single dollar of efficiency.”

During previous public hearings, only one citizen spoke out against keeping the millage rate at 8.138.

Last Thursday, Mike Wenson told commissioners, “My taxes are going through the roof. I know as government employees you can turn around and raise taxes and not take into consideration the problems that people have paying them.” He also said his taxes had gone up more than 100 percent in three years.

Commissioners also will hold a second final public hearing on impact fees Thursday.

Commissioners approved impact fees in 2006, but suspended them during the recession of 2009 when new development was practically non-existent. The fees are imposed on new development projects to pay for all — or a portion of the costs — of providing public services to those developments.

Bill Ross whose company, Ross and Associates, has been working on an impact fee program for the county outlined that program during the Aug. 9 commission meeting.

He pointed out that the county’s population is expected to double in the next two decades and that there will be 2,700 more housing units by then. “By 2040, almost half the traffic on your roads will be generated by new development that has moved into the county,” he said.

The program looked specifically at the impact growth will have on library services, parks and recreation, fire protection, law enforcement and road improvement.

By 2040, it is projected that the county will require one new library and twice the volume of books, computers and DVDs. Four new fire stations will need to be built and 16 firetrucks purchased. The county, Ross said, will need 137 additional acres for recreational facilities.

The maximum fees the county could impose on various types of development include $3,400 for a single-family home, $1.64 per square foot for a shopping center and $1.88 for a super market.

Commission meetings are held in the second floor assembly room of the Dawson County Government Center, located at 25 Justice Way in downtown Dawsonville.

Chris Gaines Dawson County Board of Commissioners

BOC reviews county Hazardous Mitigation Plan

News August 11, 2018 , by Bill Johnson

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Dawson County Emergency Services Director Danny Thompson presented the county’s updated Hazardous Mitigation Plan at the Board of Commissioners work session Thursday.

The plan is a revision of the 2012 version and ensures Dawson County is in compliance with the regulations of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 that allows the county to maintain eligibility and qualify to secure federal funding from disastrous events.

During the plan development, the Dawson County Hazard Plan Committee identified five goals:

Protect public health and safety;
Reduce and eliminate exposure to natural/manmade hazard events;
Reduce the loss and damage to private property/public infrastructure resulting from these various disasters;
Maintain continuity of public/private sector operations during disasters;
Respond promptly, appropriately and efficiently in the time of an event.

The plan was awarded a $24,000 Hazard Mitigation Planning Grant by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) which requires a 25 percent match.

Thompson also asked Board approval to move money from the contingency fund to provide a 10 percent match for the Georgia Fireworks Tax Monies Grant to pay for the purchase of ten sets of firefighter personal protective ensemble (PPE) that cost $3,000 each.

Commissioners discussed three options for replacing some of the county’s aging photocopiers. The options included purchasing copiers, leasing copiers or a combination of a lease/purchase agreement. Staff recommended the county utilize the Georgia Department of Administrative Services contract to leverage the state’s purchasing power.

Public Works Director David McKee informed the Board of a safety concern created by increased traffic along Red Rider Road due to commercial development. The road is very narrow and pavement edges are significantly worn from the heavy through truck traffic. There is not enough right-of-way to widen the road to accommodate two traffic lanes.

McKee said staff is trying to work through short- and long-term solutions but heavy truck traffic, and through traffic continues to degrade the crumbling roadway. He recommended temporarily closing the road to through traffic from the intersection of Lumpkin Campground and Red Rider to a point approximately 1300’ from the intersection and added that his staff will continue to work with local property owners on a solution for long-term intersection improvements.

Items discussed during work sessions can be voted on at the next voting session of the Board of Commissioners.

Danny Thompson Dawson County Board of Commissioners Dawson County Emergency Services

Dawson County department heads present their 2019 budget requests to Board of Commissioners

News August 7, 2018 , by Bill Johnson

Human Resources Director Danielle Yarbrough presents her 2019 budget request to commissioners.

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – After months of preparation, Dawson County’s department heads presented their 2019 budget requests to the Board of Commissioners Monday. Commissioners scrutinized every line item in search of efficiencies that would save tax payer dollars.

Superior Court Judge Kathleen Gosselin, Tax Commissioner Nicole Stewart, Development Authority Director Brian Trapnell, Human Resource Director Danielle Yarbrough and Probate Court Judge Jennifer Burt were the first to present their requests.

Superior Court is asking for an increase of $16,297 in its 2019 budget to $516,971. Most of the increase is due to the addition of a fifth superior court judge to serve Dawson and Hall counties. Judge Clint Bearden was appointed to that post by Governor Nathan Deal in December.

Stewart was next in line and she brought good news, informing commissioners that her department –which is ranked number one in the state in percentage of taxes collected – is seeking a budget reduction of approximately $22,618 to $429,054 in 2019.

Chairman Billy Thurmond pointed out that the reduction was due to “some people (within the department) changing positions and some people making less money.”

As they reviewed the presentation, Commissioner Julie Hughes-Nix noted that Stewart’s expenditures for legal fees also declined when the county hired County Attorney Lynn Frey.

“I noticed your attorney fees were $4,440 in 2017 and this year only $1,500,” she said. “I would recommend to the Board that we take a look at all departments and leave those line items out for attorney fees because we do have a county attorney now.”

The Development Authority operated on a $150,000 budget in 2017. Commissioners voted not to fund the group in 2018 but has chosen to reinstate it in 2019. Trapnell requested an operating budget of $200,000, part of which would be to engage an expert consultant to identify options for Development Authority funding.

Judge Burt is asking for a slight increase in her budget from $309,028 to $316,068. The increase is a result of the 2 percent countywide pay increase approved by the Board of Commissioner and the rest is in retirement contributions.

In 2016, the Director of Administration position was dissolved and Human Resources assumed responsibility for risk management. HR Director Danielle Yarbrough presented a budget request for 2019 which reflected a $25,000 decrease in risk management costs.

For non-risk management activities, she requested a budget increase of about $23,965 to $212,973. The increase would be attributed to group insurance ($6,000), retirement contribution ($5,000), general office supplies ($4,000), commission-approved salary increase ($2,000) and attorney review of the new county employee handbook ($4,000). In this case, outside counsel would be required to perform the review because it would be a conflict of interest for the county attorney to do so.

Yarbrough is also asking the Board to approve a position for a human resource specialist at a salary of $34,153 plus benefits totaling approximately $19,589 and retirement contribution. Currently, there are only two employees in Human Resources.

“The Society for Human Resource Management recommends one human resources person for every 100 employees,” Yarbrough explained. “So we are sorely understaffed.” The county has 284 full-time and 158 part-time employees plus 41 vacancies and 21 frozen positions.

“A lot of department heads are going to be coming to you to ask for positions to be unfrozen and for new positions which is going to increase the burden on my department,” she said. “Even if we had two new employees, we would still be understaffed. But we’re only asking for one.”

Budget reviews will be held at 9 a.m. each day through Thursday and the public is encouraged to attend.

Tuesday, commissioners will review the public defender, elections office, extension service, finance department and public works/transfer station.

Billy Thurmond Brian Trapnell Dawson County Board of Commissioners Julie Hughes Nix Nicole Stewart

CPA firm Rushton Company declares Dawson County is in good financial shape

News June 17, 2018 , by Bill Johnson

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Chris Hollifield of the certified public accounting firm of Rushton Company presented the results of the firm’s 2017 audit during Thursday’s Dawson County Board of Commissioners work session and declared the county to be in “good financial shape.”

Highlights of the audit included these statements:

Government assets exceed liabilities at the close of the fiscal year by $86.8 million
Government’s financial position improved during 2017;
At the end of the fiscal year, the total fund balance was $8.2 million or 36 percent of total general fund expenditures including transfers to other funds. Fund balance increased by $767,000;
Government’s total indebtedness decreased by $96,000.

Expenditures by function showed Public Safety at 44 percent, followed by Public Works 17 percent and General Government 17 percent.

Dawson County Emergency Services Deputy Chief Danny Speaks requested Board approval to apply for a Georgia Trauma Commission Grant used to reimburse 911 agencies for the purchase of trauma related equipment used to equip 911 ambulances.

Fleet Maintenance Director Shannon Harben asked commissioners to approve the disposal of four heating and air conditioning units at the Detention Center. He also presented a list of other county-owned items to be placed into the 2018 GovDeals Surplus Sale.

Public Works Director David McKee gave a presentation on the proposed Fleet Maintenance/Public Works Complex with a recommendation the design/build contract be awarded to Charles Black Construction for an amount not to exceed $2,644,127. Four evaluations were received and reviewed for technical responses to establish a high-score prosper and Charles Black received the highest score.

Planning and Development Director Jason Streetman presented a Special Event Business License Application for Carol Stream Amusement Inc. to operate a carnival in the front parking lot of North Georgia Premium Outlet Mall from June 28 through July 15 between the hours of 7 p.m. and 11 p.m.

Streetman also presented the site plan for John Megel Chevrolet to construct a used car lot on its property which was required by a zoning stipulation.

The Board also will consider the proposed 2018 Land Use District Map presented by Streetman and the reappointment of Joey Bearden to the Department of Family and Children Services.

Items discussed during work sessions are generally voted on during the next regular meeting.

David McKee Dawson County Board of Commissioners Jason Streetman Shannon Harben

Commissioners set public hearing for changes to alcohol ordinance

News April 22, 2018 , by Bill Johnson

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — Dawson County Commissioners voted 3-0, with Commissioner Jimmy Hamby absent, last week to move forward with a public hearing on potential changes to the county’s alcohol ordinance May 3.

As a result of changes made at the state level, computers in the county’s Tax Commissioners office are no longer compatible with the state’s computers. Commissioners voted unanimously to purchase 11 new computers and four scanners at a cost of $15,425.

Commissioners also approved several special event business licenses. Amicalola Farmers Market’s request for a permit to operate a farmers market in the parking lot at Veterans Memorial Park every Friday from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. through the end of September was approved.

Commissioners approved a permit for Hacienda Bar and Grill in the Publix Shopping Center on state Route 400 to hold a Cinco de Mayo celebration.

Robin Allen received unanimous approval for a special event permit to assemble on the steps of the Government Building in celebration of the National Day of Prayer from 6 until 7 p.m. May 3.

Commissioners also approved a special event permit for a motorcross endurance event on private property on Auraria Road Sunday, Oct. 7, from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Commissioners approved an offer from Robertson Loia Roof, the architectural and engineering firm that designed Rock Creek Park and Dawson County Junior High School, to redesign the facade at the Veterans Memorial Park gymnasium.

Commissioners voted 3-0 to accept the South 400 Center Lane Road into county maintenance program. The owner agrees to donate $10,000 to bring the road up to county standards.

Calvin Byrd and Brian Trapnell were appointed to the Industrial Building Authority, and Tom Harter was appointed to the Library Board.

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach.If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

Brian Trapnell Dawson County Board of Commissioners

Commissioners to vote on beefed up school security

News April 4, 2018 , by Bill Johnson

CUMMING, Ga. — The shooting rampage at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida that killed 17 students and faculty, followed by threats of violence at schools in Dawson, Hall, Gwinnett, White and other Georgia counties this year, has heightened awareness that more needs to be done to protect schools and school children in Dawson County.

The Dawson County Commissioners will consider a request to beef up the county’s school resource officer (SRO) staff during Thursday’s meeting. In order to better utilize the current SRO staff, Sheriff Jeff Johnson has requested funds to provide off-duty payment to cover the costs associated with traffic direction responsibilities.

Currently, the SROs must vacate their primary duties of securing schools to handle traffic direction and control. Johnson says staffing levels do not allow for this function to be handled by the Patrol Component.

School Superintendent Dr. Damon Gibbs has indicated that the Board of Education will support two additional SRO positions as well as share the cost of traffic control. Johnson believes three positions are needed to allow for each school to have an assigned SRO as well as provide a level of relief for officer’s absences due to illness, family emergencies, court subpoena, etc.

Commissioners also will hear a request by Richmond Honan Development and Acquisitions, LLC to amend an existing Commercial Planned Comprehensive Development (CPCD) on 52.42 acres to allow for a mixed-use senior living campus-style development.

Commissioners also will consider:

⦁ Amendments to the 2017 Capital Improvement Element;

⦁ A Sheriff’s Office application for a parade permit for a motorcycle Ride for Relay for Life;

⦁ A request to upgrade the Magistrate Court clerk’s position from part-time to full-time;

⦁ A request to increase the salary for a Magistrate Court clerk who has received Georgia Information Crime Center certification;

⦁ A request to purchase emergency medical supplies for Emergency Management Services;

⦁ A request to apply for the FY 2018 Homeland Security Grant Program for Emergency Services K-9 Search and Rescue Team;

⦁ A request to write off old debts for ambulance billing;

⦁ Board appointments to the Tax Assessors Board and Tree Preservation Committee; and

⦁ Annexation requests by residents of the Gold Creek subdivision.

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

Dawson County Board of Commissioners Sheriff Jeff Johnson

Sheriff had nearly $400,000 left in his 2017 budget when he sued the Board of Commissioners

News March 18, 2018 , by Bill Johnson

Sheriff Jeff Johnson

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Dawson County officials say they do not understand why Sheriff Jeff Johnson sued the Board of Commissioners for a bigger slice of the 2018 budget when he had nearly $400,000 left in the 2017 budget he failed to spend.

District 2 Commissioner Chris Gaines said, “He actually had about $500,000 left in the budget while we were going through the court hearing. But he reimbursed his staff for accrued leave that was left unpaid at the end of 2016.”

Johnson sued the county in Superior Court, claiming the Board of Commissioners abused their discretion by not providing enough funding for him to adequately perform his responsibilities as sheriff in 2018.

Senior Superior Court Judge Fred A. Bishop ruled in favor of the county, stating, “(Commissioners) exercised their discretion in a reasonable fashion. They have honored their obligation to do so giving all due consideration to the needs of the sheriff and to the entire fiscal picture of Dawson County and its citizens, of which the sheriff’s duties are a key part – but not the only part.”

Commissioner Chris Gaines

An end-of-year financial report obtained from Finance Director Vickie Neikirk Friday showed Johnson had $397,319.58 remaining on Dec. 31. That is more than enough to pay for the new computer aided dispatch (CAD) system the sheriff wanted and to pay his staff for their accrued leave time, which went unpaid for nearly two years. Under the county’s financial protocol, that money must not be returned to the county’s General Fund.

District 2 Commissioner Chris Gaines is one commissioner who said the lawsuit – which cost taxpayers about $20,000 in legal fees – made no sense.

Gaines said he does not know if Johnson was aware he had close to $400,000 left in his 2017 budget. However, he questioned why the sheriff needed more money when he did not spend the money he had.

“My goal is for each department to know what their budget is and use it to provide the best service to citizens they can,” he said.

Commissioner Chris Gaines Dawson County Board of Commissioners Judge Fred A. Bishop Sheriff Jeff Johnson

Billy Carlisle will not seek commission seat

News February 14, 2018 , by Bill Johnson

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Former longtime Sheriff Billy Carlisle stunned Dawson County voters today by announcing that he will not be a candidate for the District 3 seat on the Board of Commissioners.

Less than three weeks after announcing his candidacy, Carlisle issued the following statement:

“After much prayer and thought, I have decided against qualifying for the open District 3 commission seat, for Dawson County. I apologize for any confusion this may have caused with the voting citizens of our county, but I don’t feel like I can give this position 100% at this time. I have always felt honored serving the citizens of this county, and they deserve to be represented by someone who has the time and leadership ability needed to lead the county forward. I wish all the other candidates good luck in the upcoming election.”

Dawson County Board of Commissioners

Commission Chair candidate drops bombshell at BOC meeting

News November 23, 2019 , by Bill Johnson

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Renee Duren – a recently announced candidate for Dawson County Commission Chairwoman – potentially saved county taxpayers thousands of dollars in lost grants and funding opportunities Thursday when she warned commissioners that Dawson county had already violated state rules and regulations once and was about to do so again.

Duren’s announcement came during a the Board of Commissioners’ public hearing on the rezoning request by Ridgeline Land Development to construct 140 townhomes near the intersection of Dawsonville Hwy and Lumpkin Campground Road. She said the Planning Commission violated the rules and regulations of the state of Georgia under Rule 110-12-3 by voting to recommend approval of the project to the Board of Commissioners.

She also cautioned commissioners that if they went ahead with a vote during the regular meeting as planned, it would be a second violation.

Local governments are required to follow applicable procedures identified under Development of Regional Impact (DRI) when a project meets or exceeds the applicable threshold of 125 units. Governments are required to submit applications to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) for review and may not take an official vote on the project until the review is complete

According the DCA website, the application was submitted Nov. 15 and is still under review.

“Failure of local governments to wait until the DRI process is completed before taking final action will result in a mandatory meeting with the regional commission for the first occurrence,” Duren said. “The second occurrence can result in suspension of Qualified Local Government status for up to one year. Loss of that status will disqualify our county for certain grants and funding opportunities.”

Duren closed her presentation by admonishing the Board to “please consider taking the necessary steps to comply with the rules and regulations of the state of Georgia.”

Commissioners agreed to postpone the vote.

Dawson County Board of Commissioners Meeting

BOC split meetings scheduled for Thursday

News June 4, 2019 , by Bill Johnson

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – The Dawson County Board of Commissioners will hold a work session Thursday (June 6) at 4 p.m., followed by a regular meeting at 6 p.m. in the Government Center Assembly Room.

During the work session, commissioners will hear a presentation by Assistant Public Defender Kyle Denslow regarding a proposal for a Dawson County Food Drive spearheaded by the Public Defender’s Office.

Parks and Recreation Director Matt Payne will present a request to build bocce ball courts at Rock Creek Park as an Eagle Scout project.

Payne and Purchasing Manager Melissa Hawk will present a request for proposal (RFP) for a playground and multi-purpose field at Veterans Memorial Park.

Public Works Director David McKee will provide a presentation of an easement for Amicalola Electric Membership Corporation and a request for No Thru Truck Traffic on Blacks Mill Road.

McKee will also give a presentation of a request for Red Rider Road Improvements.

Commissioners will discuss the reappointment of Gail Smith to the county library board.

In the 6 p.m. work session, Dawson County Chamber of Commerce President Christie Moore will update commissioners on the status of tourism in the county.

Commissioners are expected to vote on a special event business license for Kathy Roos TNT fireworks sales in the Ingles and Walmart parking lots.

They will also consider a resolution authorizing the disposition of certain county property by sealed bid in Accordance with O.C.G.A § 36-9-3(a).

Christie Moore David McKee Dawson County Board of Commissioners

County commission holds first split-session meeting

News May 5, 2019 , by Bill Johnson

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – County Commissioners held their first split meeting Thursday, with a work session at 4 p.m. followed by an executive session then a voting session at 6 p.m.

During the voting session, commissioners approved the retirement of the Sheriff’s Office K9 Kimbo and transfer of the dog’s ownership to its handler, Jessica Kraft.

In other business, commissioners:

Read and approved a resolution to declare May 5-11 National Small Business Week;
Tabled a vote on a proposed contract with CT Darnell Construction for design-build services for Fire Station No. 9 until the May 16 meeting;
Approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Board of Education regarding use of a portion of the parking lot at the Public Works Complex;
Approved a services agreement with the Humane Society for treatment and housing of animals.
Approved an addendum to the 2019 Legacy Link contract for nutritional program services.
Approved the addition of $250,000 to the budget to pay for legal services provided by Jarrard and Davis;
Approved a request by Parks and Recreation Director Matt Payne to hold a county employees night at the county swimming pool on May 17;
Held a public hearing on Olive Garden LLC request for an alcohol license for retail consumption on premises of beer, wine and distilled spirits then approved the request;
Held the first public hearing on a land use resolution update. The second public hearing is scheduled for May 16;

During the work session, Public Works Director David McKee asked the Board to consider allowing his department to retain the services of ShepCo Paving Inc., an on-call, full-depth reclamation service.

Parks and Recreation Director Matt Payne presented a proposed agreement with the Rotary Club of Dawson County to provide the county with a venue that would house outdoor pickleball courts, batting cages, and an outdoor basketball area at Rock Creek Park.

Chief Financial Officer Vickie Neikirk presented a first quarter financial status report for 2019.

Development Authority of Dawson County Chairman Brian Trapnell presented an update of its activity which will be outlined in a future Fetch Your News article.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

Dawson County Board of Commissioners Vickie Neikirk

B0C approves reduction in impact fees and sets public hearing

News February 24, 2019 , by Bill Johnson

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — New businesses wanting to move to Dawson County got a major break Thursday when the Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 to reduce impact fees by a whopping 75 percent. Chairman Billy Thurmond cast the deciding vote.

The issue still must survive public hearings on March 7 and March 21 before being implemented. Both hearings are set for 6 p.m.

It was only six months ago the Board voted to set impact fees at the maximum amount allowed by law. But the Board dynamic has changed significantly since former Commissioner Jimmy Hamby retired in December and was replaced by Tim Satterfield. Hamby was a strong proponent of impact fees and voted to charge the maximum amount percent.

Chamber of Commerce President Christie Moore appeared before commissioners two weeks ago to request the reduction saying two businesses had declined to move to Dawson County because of the fees.

“Our concern was not that the commercial impact fees would hurt the large businesses, the Olive Gardens of the world, they are used to impact fees,” she said at the time. “But it could really hurt some of our attempts to attract some other organizations that we really want in our community.”

Impact fees are payments required by local governments of new development for the purpose of providing new or expanded public capital facilities required to serve that development.

The reduction also impacts residential development. Instead of a 75 percent reduction, residential developments would only be reduced by 25 percent.

District 1 Commissioner Sharon Fausett tried to get commissioners to consider a smaller reduction of 50 percent, but Chris Gaines, who made the motion said he felt the 75 percent reduction was the right amount.

“If we see that it hasn’t made an impact like the adverse impact that it’s made now at 100 percent, then we can look at increasing it at a future date,” Gaines said.

Fausett pointed out that Bill Ross of Ross and Associates, the firm that created the impact fee study and calculated the maximum amount the county could charge, told commissioners that impact fees do not slow growth.

“He’s an expert, and he’s done this for years and years and years. So if he made that statement, I wonder why it’s slowing growth here, and it’s not slowing it in other places” Fausett asked.

“We’re in kind of a boom now and I’d like to take advantage of that. Another thing that bothers me is that we as a board, we said we would seek alternate ways of (raising) revenue…if we said we were going to do it, I want to do it.”

Thurmond said that the sales tax money generated by businesses has allowed the county to maintain the same millage rate for the past 14 years.

The vote was 3-2 with Fausett and Nix opposed and Gaines and Satterfield in support. In Dawson County, the chairman is allowed to vote only in case of a tie. The public will have an opportunity to be heard on the issue in two weeks.

In other business, the Board voted 3-1 to censure Nix for disclosing confidential information to a county employee via email. Nix abstained from the vote and Fausett voted in opposition.

An emotional Fausett, who has been friends with Nix her entire life, said the resolution was too harsh and unnecessary. She spoke directly to Nix, saying, “I don’t think you’ll ever do this again, I still trust you, I’ve still got faith in you, I’ve still got confidence in you. You’ve had years and years of public service and I don’t want this to define you. I think you have been a part of great, great things for this county, and I appreciate what you’ve done.”

Nix said she accepted responsibility and publicly apologized for her action saying she had no desire to benefit herself or anyone.

“This was just done really to assist an experienced employee just packed with a knowledge and information, who I felt wasn’t getting all of the information needed to really do her job,” Nix said.

A motion of censure carries with it no penalty other than the written reprimand.

Commissioner Chris Gaines Commissioner Julie Hughes Nix Commissioner Sharon Fausett Dawson County Board of Commissioners

Thurmond will ask commissioners to censure Julie Hughes-Nix

News February 19, 2019 , by Bill Johnson

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Dawson County Commission Chairman Billy Thurmond will introduce a resolution to censure Commissioner Julie Hughes-Nix for a breach of attorney-client privilege and executive session privilege during Thursday’s voting session.

Thurmond claims Nix sent emails to a county employee despite the fact the emails were marked confidential and attorney-client privileged.

The resolution states: “Despite this specific admonition, such communications were forwarded by Commissioner Nix in violation of the attorney-client privilege when such communications were concerning personnel issues about the very employee to whom she forwarded the communications, this employee was represented by an attorney, and this employee was taking positions adverse to Dawson County’s interests.”

Nix told Fetch Your News Tuesday, “I accept responsibility. I did inadvertently release information from executive session. I apologize to my fellow commissioners and, more importantly, to the citizens of Dawson County. I can promise that will never happen again.”

Censures are mainly symbolic. There is no loss of rights or privileges and therefore, a censure carries no more weight than a written reprimand.

The issue that is expected to draw a large crowd, Thursday is a request by Chamber of Commerce President Christie Moore that commissioners consider reducing impact fees on road projects and fire protection categories to 25 percent.

During last week’s work session, Moore said impact fees are the reason at least one company declined to open a business in Dawson County.

Moore provided the example of one large fitness center that had planned to build a new facility in the community but backed out when it was learned the impact fee would be $51,000.

District 1 Commissioner Sharon Fausett challenged assertion.

“What would have been their tap fee,” she questioned. Moore said she didn’t know. Fausett continues, saying, “But you know it would have been a lot more than that right.”

“It certainly would have been,” Moore said and that is another entity we’ve been advocating with.”

Other issues commissioners are also expected to vote on include:

A resolution extending the agreement with interim county attorneys Jarrard & Davis;
A FY 2019 public defender intergovernmental agreement between Dawson and Hall counties;
The FY 2019 state public defender contract;
2019 Charity Boot Drives;
Special event business license application for a motorcycle event;
Acceptance of a Geographic Information System summer intern grant;
A new recycling agreement with Advanced Disposal;
A request for Highway 53 / Lumpkin Campground Road Intersection Improvement Project budget;
Approval of a legal services agreement to retain Blasingame, Burch, Garrard & Ashley, P.C. as special legal counsel in opioid litigation;
A settlement agreement with Hodges-Mace, LLC to resolve a contract claim.

A resolution of censure. Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

Billy Thurmond Dawson County Board of Commissioners Julie Hughes Nix

Dawson County attorney resigns due to ill health, Jarrard and Davis receives interim contract

News January 1, 2019 , by Bill Johnson

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. –The law firm of Jarrard and Davis has contracted with Dawson County to provide legal services after County Attorney Lynn Frey announced his resignation on Dec. 20 due to ill health.

In a letter to the Board of Commissioners, Frey, who was Dawson County’s first staff attorney, said, “After a great deal of thought I have realized that I am unable to continue to serve as county attorney for the wonderful community that is Dawson County,” the letter reads. “My health has deteriorated to a degree that prevents me from providing the level of service the county deserves…I will miss a great many folks, too many to name here, and will leave with gratitude for the welcome I was given, for the many kindnesses I have been shown over the last couple of years and for the opportunity you gave me to be part of something that matters.”

Frey will be return to his former home in Darien where he served as city attorney for 13 years. He will be paid compensation of $25,000 according to an agreement ratified by the board.

The Jarrard and Davis firm serves many municipalities in Georgia, including Forsyth County where Ken Jarrard has represented the Board of Commissioners for approximately 15 years. The board ratified an interim retention agreement with the firm for a period of 60 days until permanent legal representation can be obtained.

Jarrard said “The board of commissioners has been emphatic that they want a seamless transition while they consider what next steps to take with respect to representation and we have been honored to provide that interim representation.”

Frey’s salary was $90,000 in 2018. The board recently approved a new legal assistant position with an annual salary of $30,547, though the position was never filled.

Dawson County Board of Commissioners Jarrard & Davis Lynn Frey

BOC meets in special called session Thursday

News December 4, 2018 , by Bill Johnson

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – The Dawson County Board of Commissioners will meet in a special called session/public hearing at 5:30 p.m. Thursday (Dec. 6) in the Government Center Assembly Room. That meeting will be followed at 6 p.m. by a regular voting session.

The county is required to hold a public hearing to meet the requirements for acceptance of a $750,000 community development block grant (CDBG) to assist with the construction of the new Margie Weaver Senior Center on Recreation Road. The funds are provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development program.

During the 6 p.m. voting session, the sheriff’s office will seek ratification of a request to apply for $112,204 in grant funding for the 2019 North Georgia K9 Task Force. Dawson County has received this funding in the past.

The Fire/EMS is also asking approval to accept a Georgia Emergency Management Agency K9 Grant Fund in the amount of $14,000 with no matching funds required. The department has received this grant for several years. It runs from Oct. 1, 2018, through September 30, 2019.

Danny Thompson was appointed as the interim EMA director in July 2018 and provided 90 days by the Board of Commissioners to obtain his Certified Emergency Manager credentials. Thompson has received that certification and is asking the Board to appoint him as EMA Director.

The Dawson County Fleet Maintenance Department performs repairs and maintenance on the Public Works’ Road Department’s equipment that are capable of being completed in-house. Other work is outsourced for performance. An IFB was released on Oct. 25 for the aforementioned service. Two bids were received on Nov. 9. The lowest, most responsive bid was offered by Townley Construction.

Legacy Link receives an increase or decrease in funding during the contract year that changes the original contract amounts. The organization is asking for an addendum that makes the following change: includes an additional $16,258 for respite care to be used during the last six months of the FY 2019 contract (January-June 2019).

Commissioners are expected to vote on ratification of the FY 2020 Georgia Department of Transportation / Federal Transit Administration Section 5311 Transit Contract for providing public transportation for Dawson County citizens. Grant will continue to pay a 50 percent match with federal and state funding for administrative and operating budget.

The Board will also choose its representative on the Development Authority of Dawson County.

Danny Thompson Dawson County Board of Commissioners

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