Commissioners say no to major residential development
News January 22, 2018
Dist. 3 Commissioner Jimmy Hamby
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – The Dawson County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to deny a zoning application by Dawson Forest Holdings to build 177 single-family homes and 95 townhomes near Hwy. 53 and Elliott Road during Thursday’s commission meeting.
Dawson Forest Holding attorney Joshua Scoggins, of Miles, Hansford and Tallant, threatened to sue the county if commissioners voted to deny the application. However, commissioners stood their ground and sided with area homeowners who have repeatedly voiced strong opposition to the development.
Commissioners tabled decisions on approval of a budget for the Development Authority of Dawson County and the Impact Fee Methodology Report.
A revision of the Animal Control Ordinance that prohibits the use of tethering as the primary means of animal confinement was unanimously approved.
Commissioners also approved a request by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Director Lanier Swafford to apply for a Georgia Trauma Commission Non-Competitive EMS Equipment Grant in the amount of $5,371.91. The grant requires no county match.
During the public comments portion of the meeting, District 3 Commissioner Jimmy Hamby surprised many in attendance when he announced that he would not seek re-election. Hamby will end his second term as commissioner December 31.
FetchYourNews will have a report Tuesday, Jan. 23, on Hamby’s decision.
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
Billy Carlisle to run for county commission
News January 25, 2018
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Veteran law enforcement officer Billy Carlisle announced today that he will run for the Dawson County Board of Commissioners this summer.
He will run for the District 3 seat. Dist. 3 Commissioner Jimmy Hamby has announced he will not seek a third term next year.
Carlisle, 56, began his law enforcement career as a patrol officer in 1987. During his time as sheriff, he was able to grow the department from 30 employees to 115. He was also instrumental in helping to bring several programs into the county, working with children. Through his leadership, many programs were developed for the senior citizens as well as the adults of Dawson County. He retired in December 2016 after 20 years as sheriff.
Asked why he wanted to get back into government after just one year in retirement, he said, “I still have a desire to serve the community and our citizens. I’ve always enjoyed helping people.”
Carlisle said the county is in good shape right now.
“I would like to help us grow in the right direction,” he said. “We need to attract more industry and more jobs. We have plenty of retail right now. I would like to see us stay up to date on technologically and attract more high tech jobs.”
Carlisle said the relationship between the sheriff’s office and county government is not good right now.
“Both sides need to understand it is a give and take relationship, and they need to work together for the benefit of the citizens,” Carlisle added.
The dispute between Dawson County and Sheriff Jeff Johnson heads to Superior Court on Tuesday, Jan. 30. Johnson claims the $8,273,080 budget approved by the Board of Commissioners is not adequate for him to perform his duties.
However, Carlisle said it is more expensive to run the sheriff’s office without using the county’s Purchasing Department. “The county has a very experienced purchasing office already in place. If the sheriff won’t use that department, he has to hire his own people to do that job and that is just an added expense.”
Carlisle said during his term as sheriff, he relied on the county’s Purchasing Department and procedures.
Qualifying for elected offices will take place in March with the election set for July.
Carlisle and his wife, Cathy, are members of Lighthouse Baptist Church where he is a member of the church’s security team and she serves in the children’s nursery.
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
Commissioners agree to endorse Big Canoe Water Authority
News December 26, 2017
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – The Dawson County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Thursday to endorse a draft resolution requested by the Big Canoe Property Owners Association to support the creation of a Big Canoe Water Authority. The resolution must be presented to state lawmakers during the 2018 General Assembly for final approval.
The current owner has announced its intention to sell the system. Phil Anderson, president of the property owners association, told commissioners during the December work session, it is in the long-term interest of Big Canoe residents for those assets to be acquired by a public water and sewer authority that would be eligible for grants and loans and have the ability to issue tax-free revenue bonds. The existing water distribution system is old and in need of major capital improvements.
In November, commissioners approved the purchase of a new fire engine from Ten 8 Fire and Emergency Services at a cost of $449,442. The board also approved a BB&T bid to finance the transaction at a rate of 2.44 percent for seven years. However, BB&T announced it could no longer honor that rate and withdrew its bid. When the project went out for bids again, BB&T was again the most competitive bidder, but this time at a rate of 2.91 percent with annual payments of $71,893.81 and a total interest amount of $53,814.67. Commissioners unanimously approved the latest BB&T bid.
During the 2017 General Assembly, the state legislature passed a regulation requiring counties to provide certain cancer benefits to county firefighters. Thursday, commissioners approved the purchase of a Lump Sum Cancer and Long-Term Disability policy for firefighters to comply with the state requirement. The policy was awarded to ACCG –IRMA through The Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company at a cost of $18,497.
Commissioners tabled a decision on the Impact Fee Methodology Report. The request to rezone 2.04 acres along Kilough Church Road for a proposed classic car sales and warehouse business was withdrawn.
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
Board of Commissioners to consider Blacks Mill Bridge replacement
News February 7, 2018
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Dawson County Commissioners will consider a recommendation from Public Works Director David McKee regarding replacement of Blacks Mill Bridge when the board meets Thursday, Feb. 8, at 4 p.m.
The bridge has been closed for replacement since August when staff presented three options. The options included approving staff to work with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) on a surplus bridge option to offset the replacement cost.
However, the county has been informed there are no surplus bridge options available at this time. Staff has reviewed the new bridge replacement plan and believes the quickest, most cost effective solution is to contract with Southeastern Engineering Inc. (SEI).
Staff has requested funds from GDOT and was approved for up to $175,000 or 70 percent of construction costs. Staff is requesting approval of the SEI contract for professional services for the design of the new bridge structure.
The county financial contribution to the project will be provided by in-kind service and is not expected to impact the budget requiring an addition/amendment.
Dawson County historically contracts with an insurance broker firm to monitor the insurance market for pricing trends for negotiating insurance costs for employee and county premiums. The current contract with Northwestern Benefits exhausted all renewals on December 31. An extension of the contract was agreed upon which ends on Feb. 28, 2018.
Commissioners will consider a bid from ShawHankins for a one-year contract with a possible one-year renewal.
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
Planning Commission unanimously recommends denial of Dawson Forest Holdings variance
News December 21, 2017
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Nearly one year after the Dawson County Board of Commissioners turned thumbs down on Dawson Forest Holdings plans to build 177 single-family homes and 95 townhomes near Hwy. 53 and Elliott Road, the plan resurfaced at Tuesday’s Planning Commission meeting.
It turned out to be no more popular in 2017 than it was in 2016. Dozens of area residents braved evening thunderstorms to attend the meeting and many stood up to voice their opposition to the plan. When the Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend denial on two separate applications for a variance, the opponents applauded the commission’s decision.
Attorney Joshua Scoggins, who represents Dawson Forest Holdings, said there had been some “legal deficiencies” with the application last year and that a Superior Court judge had remanded it back to the county so those could be corrected. “That’s the reason we are coming back before you,” he said.
There were two variances applications. The first called for 15.828 acres to be rezoned from residential agriculture (RA) to residential multi-family (RMF) to build a 95-unit townhome community. The second requested that 59.497 acres be rezoned from RA to RMF to build 177 single-family homes.
Hugh Stowers speaks in opposition to Dawson Forest Holding development.
Hugh Stowers asked who will pay for the added services the development will require. “Who will pay for the added cost of law enforcement?” he asked. “Dawson County has increased the Sheriff’s Office budget more than any other department, and I’m sure you know the closer you put people together, the more crime there is. This will reduce our quality of life and drive our property taxes higher than we have ever dreamed.”
Tony Passarello voiced concerns about the added traffic along Hwy. 53, a major artery between Dawson and Hall counties.
“To put this all in perspective, by 2020, the area buildup will include a 2 to 9 percent increase in peak traffic load along Hwy. 53,” he said. “We will have the addition of 300 apartments being built behind Dawson Forest Publix and the development of a 67-acre tract along Dawson Forest Road these same developers had already sold. The fully-opened Publix Shopping Center and Kroger Shopping Center would, of course, put more pressure on the intersection of Hwy. 53 and Dawson Forest Road.”
Passarello added that approval of the variance would create a density that will “have a serious effect on the safety of existing and future property owners in the area.
The proposal now goes to the Board of Commissioners for a final decision.
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
Controversial rezoning resurfaces after 2016 denial
News December 17, 2017
Planning Commission meeting set for 6 p.m. Tuesday on second floor of the Dawson County Government Center.
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – A controversial rezoning request denied by the Dawson County Board of Commissioners one year ago, almost to the day, is back on the planning commission agenda Tuesday, Dec. 19, at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held on the second floor of the Dawson County Government Center.
Bill Evans, of Dawson Forest Holdings, has submitted two applications. One would allow him to build 95 townhomes on property located at 20 Hughes Court and the other to build 177 1,200-square foot, single-family houses on property located on Hwy. 53, adjacent to Fire Station No. 2 and the Tractor Supply Co.
Area homeowners, who joined forces to oppose the influx of new housing last year, attended county commission and planning commission meetings and submitted a petition signed by more than 400 area residents in opposition of the applications.
On Dec. 13, 2016, commissioners unanimously denied the application stating the developer’s plans did not align with the future land use plan for the area.
In January, Evans sued the county, the board of commissioners and each commissioner individually for denying the applications, stating the commission’s refusal to rezone the parcels from residential agricultural to residential multi-family violated his constitutionally protected right to use his property for any lawful purpose.
Tony Passarello, an Elliott Road resident, sent an email last week urging residents to attend Tuesday’s planning commission meeting.
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 NOn.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Future of the Development Authority will be discussed at Thursday’s commissioners meeting
News January 10, 2018
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Key issues the Dawson County Board of Commissioners will discuss during the first meeting of the new year include funding for the Development Authority of Dawson County (DADC), a new impact fee methodology report and 2018 qualifying fees for elected officials.
The work session is scheduled for 4 p.m. Thursday in the Dawson County Government Center Assembly Room.
The Development Authority annual budget was eliminated for 2017 and 2018. However, DADC Chairwoman Sherry Weeks made a presentation to commissioners at a special called meeting last month requesting that operating expenses be approved in the amount of $175,000. The annual budget had been $150,000.00, but Weeks is requesting an additional $25,000 to fund a move from its Prominence Court location into the Chamber of Commerce facility.
Bill Ross, of Ross & Associates, gave a presentation of a final draft of a proposed Impact Fee Report in December. The report addressed appropriate levels for impact fees to be charged under an updated Impact Fee Program. The report was tabled last month but will come back before the board Thursday.
The county’s contract for uniforms for the Fire Department and Emergency Management expires in December. Fire Chief/EMA Director Lanier Swafford will ask the board to approve a new contract with NAFECO, the most responsive and responsible bidder. The average annual uniform procurement cost has been $52,274.92. Uniforms are purchased only on an as-needed basis. The contract, if approved, would be for one year with two renewal options.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and reaches between 15,000 to 60,000 per week on our Facebook page. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email us at [email protected]
BOC to discuss support for creation of the Big Canoe Water and Sewer Authority in work session
News December 13, 2017
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – The Dawson County Board of Commissioners will discuss taking the first step toward creation of a new water authority when it meets in a work session Thursday at 4 p.m. in the County Administration Building.
Phil Anderson, president of the Big Canoe Property Owners Association, will ask commissioners to endorse draft legislation to send to Georgia House Speaker David Ralston for him to sponsor during the 2018 Georgia Legislative Session that would create the Big Canoe Water and Sewer Authority.
The Big Canoe Water and Sewer Authority Act would create a five-member, unpaid governing authority that will serve until 2020 when users of the system may elect new representatives.
Anderson will also ask the Pickens County Board of Commissioners to endorse the draft legislation since Big Canoe is a private, gated community of approximately 8,000 acres located in Pickens and Dawson counties.
Bill Ross, of Ross & Associates, will present an Impact Fee Methodology Report Final Draft for commissioners to consider. The report projects that Dawson County’s population will nearly triple by 2040.
Under state law, counties can collect money from new development based on that development’s fair share of the cost to provide the facilities it needs.
Other issues to be discussed include:
- Non-profit food service permits for temporary events;
- Presentation of a cancellation notice of fire engine approved funding and request for use of another vendor;
- Presentation of firefighter cancer and disability insurance options;
- Presentation of construction services for Veterans Memorial Park Pool House;
- Presentation of stand-by road striping services;
- Presentation of banking services award; and
- Board re-appointment of Sam Gutherie to the Board of Assessors.
Issues discussed by commissioners during a work session are typically voted on during the next regular meeting.
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
County employees enjoy Thanksgiving luncheon
News November 22, 2017
Publix Customer Service Manager Nicholas Kirkland, Dawson County Manager David Headley and Publix Assistant Meat Manager Jim Ferrante with the 10 turkeys and two hams the supermarket provided Dawson County at a discount.
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Dawson County employees do their best to serve the citizens of Dawson County, so County Manager David Headley and the county commissioners decided it was high time they returned the favor.
Headley, Chairman Billy Thurmond and commissioners Jimmy Hamby, Julie Nix, Chris Gaines and Sharon Fausett purchased the turkey and ham and served a Thanksgiving potluck luncheon at Veterans Memorial Park.
Employees could either sit down for their meal or take it to go. An estimated 125 county workers participated.
“Our employees are our most important asset, and this was just one way we are able to show our appreciation,” Headley said. “We also thank our employees for providing the many delicious side dishes, desserts and other items that helped make our gathering a success. We wish our employees and their families, and all of our Dawson County citizens, a happy Thanksgiving.”
Thurmond added, “I want to thank the staff for their hard work and dedication to the citizens of Dawson County. I also want to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving.”
Publix in Dawsonville partnered with the county to provide 10 turkeys and two hams at a discounted price.
“We would like to thank our friends at Publix for the delicious meat; those who prepared it, Ricky Rexroat of Emergency Services and David McKee of Public Works; and Commissioners Billy Thurmond, Sharon Fausett, Chris Gaines and Julie Hughes Nix for taking time to help serve the meal,” Headley said.
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
Commissioners Question Property Revaluation Process
News May 13, 2017
Chief Appraser Kurt Tangel
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Dawson County Chief Tax Appraiser Kurt Tangel’s request for county commission approval of a two-year, $588,300 county-wide property revaluation sparked a flurry of questions from commissioners during Thursday’s work session.
The county’s last revaluation was conducted in-house in 2006 and Commissioner Julie Nix wanted to know why it could not be done in-house again.
Tangel said, “It can be done in house.” But, he pointed out, it could take up to five years to complete since the number of homes in the county has doubled in the last three years. “The staff we have is just trying to keep up with what we have going on now,” he said.
“(GMASS) has a larger knowledge of doing projects like this. I don’t have the number of staff with the same level of knowledge that I can rely on to do all those things.”
The county has 15,000 parcels, 200 pre-bill mobile homes, 1,800 commercial/industrial improvements and 12,000 residential homes.
If approved, the project would be done in two phases. Phase 1 would be revaluation of residential and agricultural properties and would be completed the first year. Phase 2 would revalue commercial and industrial properties.
Tangel said county staff contacted 487 vendors through Georgia Procurement Registry and Vendor Registry and GMASS was the only company to submit a bid.
Commissioner Jimmy Hamby said, “Just having one bid is what concerns me. We don’t have anything to compare it too.”
Tangel said the majority of GMASS staff lives in Dawson and nearby Pickens County and he speculated, “That may be why some other companies didn’t bid on it.”
He added that many of the companies that do this type work are located in south Georgia which would require them to add the cost of travel, hotel accommodations and meals over a two-year period to their bid.
The purpose of a revaluation is to ensure equity and uniformity of assessment. While adding new construction is part of the process, the process also involves reflecting market changes (up or down) in property values.
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 www.fetchyournews.com
BOC Considers Purchase of Fire Hydrants on Kilough Church Road
News August 26, 2017
Lanier Swafford
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — During Thursday’s work session, the Dawson County Board of Commissioners listened to a series of presentations including one from Emergency Services Director Lanier Swafford regarding the installation of seven fire hydrants along Kilough Church Road at a cost of $27,755.
If approved, the fire hydrants would be installed in conjunction with an Etowah Water and Sewer Authority project starting just below Kilough Elementary School.
Planning Director Jason Streetman asked commissioners to consider approving the annual Bootlegger/Five Star, an endurance triathlon event on Sept. 10 from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. The event would start at Veterans Memorial Park. The bike riding portion would continue from the park to Lumpkin County along Hwy. 9. Riders would then return to the park along the same route. Public safety has been arranged and volunteers plan to help with safety and traffic control along the way.
Jason Streetman
Streetman also presented a request for commissioners to approve a special event alcohol permit for a Business After Hours event planned by the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce to be held at Northside Hospital on Dawson Drive.
Stormwater Manager Robbie Irvin informed commissioners that the state has modified its soil erosion ordinance regarding the definition of “final stabilization” and the planting of certain grasses to aid in the prevention of soil erosion. Irvin said when the state changes its ordinance the county is required by law to change its ordinance so that it matches that of the state.
Senior Services Director Dawn Pruitt asked commissioners to approve the Senior Center’s annual handcrafted quilt raffle to begin in late October or early November. Proceeds from the event will go to purchase presents for the center’s senior clients.
Dawn Pruitt
Pruitt also asked for approval of the senior center’s transportation contract with Deanna Specialty Transportation, a subcontractor for the Department of Human Services. The contract provides for trips for seniors to and from the center as well as transportation to doctor’s appointments, etc.
County Attorney Lynn Frey asked commissioners to approve a quit claim deed for Lots 38 and 41 in Charles Martin Subdivision. Frey pointed out that a couple wanted to purchase those lots and in doing the research, he discovered the old plat erroneously shows the front portion of the lots are in the Dawson County right of way. He asked for the quit claim deed to show the county has no claim to the lots.
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
Commissioners to Revisit Impact Fee Program
News May 16, 2017
Dawson County Board of Commissioners
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – The Dawson County Board of Commissioners will have a full slate of issues to decide during Thursday’s regular session which begins at 6 p.m.
Bill Ross of Ross and Associates will give a presentation on what Planning and Development Director Jason Streetman calls a “complete re-write” of the county’s development impact fee program. The process, Streetman said, will involve preparation of a new Impact Fee Methodology Report, a new Capital Improvements Element, an updated Fee Schedule, possible update of the Impact Fee Ordinance, modernization of the computer assessment program and a revised Administrative Procedures Manual.
Under the Georgia Development Impact Fee Act (DIFA) local governments may impose fees on developers to help finance the expansion of their infrastructure systems.
Commissioners will also decide on a request by Chief Tax Appraiser Kurt Tangel to spend $588,300 on a county-wide property revaluation that is expected to take up to two years. The last revaluation was done by county staff in 2006 which led Commissioner Julie Nix to ask why it could not be done in house again.
Tangel said due to the growth in the county since 2006, it could take his staff up to five years to complete. “The staff we have is just trying to keep up with what we have now,” he said.
The project was sent out for bids, but GMASS was the sole bidder, something that troubled Commissioner Jimmy Hamby. “Just having one bid is what concerns me,” Hamby said. “We don’t have anything to compare it to.”
But Tangel blamed the lack of bids on the fact that many companies that do property valuations are located in south Georgia and they may have felt that they would not be competitive after adding travel, overnight hotel accommodation and meals to a project that could take two years to complete.
The county has 15,000 parcels, 200 pre-bill mobile homes, 1,800 commercial/industrial improvements and 12,000 residential homes.
Commissioners will hold the first of two public hearings on forward on an updated Environmental Health Fee Schedule.
There will be two zoning requests for commissioners to decide.
Steele Buffalo Butchery is requesting a special use permit to allow butchering, processing and slaughtering of naturally processed products on its property located on Harmony Church Road (Hwy. 136) five miles east of Ga. 400.
Commissioners must also vote on a request by Richard Bourgeois to rezone seven acres from Residential Suburban to Residential Agriculture to allow for greater agricultural uses on seven acres located on Grizzle Road near the intersection of East Windsor Way.
Other issues set to be decided include:
- Consideration of Fire House Subs and Chick-fil-A Dawsonville Fund Raising Opportunities to Support Dawson County Emergency Services;
- Consideration of a request to surplus three fire apparatuses;
- Consideration to move forward with Public Hearings on June 1, 2017 and June 15, 2017 regarding the Scrap Tire Storage and Disposal Draft Ordinance;
- Consideration of Dawson County Rotary Club request to contribute handicapped accessible playground equipment for the playground at Rock Creek Park;
- Consideration of FY2017 Legacy Link Addendum #2;
- Consideration of FY2018 Legacy Link Contract;
- Consideration of Proposed Revised Travel Policy;
- Consideration of 2016 Budget Amendments;
- Consideration of Contract with GMRC Regarding Community Development Block Grant Application Services for Senior Center Expansion;
- Consideration of the re-appointment of Susan Roof to the Library Board.
County LOST/SPLOST Collections up 18 Percent
News September 17, 2017
County Mgr. David Headley
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – In his report to the Dawson County Board of Commissioners during Thursday’s work session, County Manager David Headley said SPLOST and LOST collections are up 18.03 percent compared to last year. Revenue collected from the Special Purpose Local Option Tax reached $698,736 in August, about 14 percent over its projection. Local Option Sales Tax revenue reached $614,883.
Headley also reported the number of building permits issued in August increased by about 50 percent to 42. There were 22 Single-family permits issued, 11 more than in July. The county also issued 172 business licenses last month and 1,407 for the year.
David McKee, President of KARE for Kids, asked that commissioners once again grant permission to use the county parking areas during the upcoming 50th annual Mountain Moonshine Festival (Oct. 27-29) in order to raise funds for needy children in Dawson County.
McKee proposed charging a $10 parking fee per vehicle as has been done in previous year. McKee said several county organizations have agreed to staff the lots and collect fees. KARE for Kids, Inc. is a 501(C)(3) organization and is fully insured.
McKee, who is also Dawson County Public Works Director, asked the Board to consider amending a contract it made last May for road improvements to Tanner Road, Kelly Bridge Road and Steve Tate Highway as part of the SPLOST VI project list. An alternate project for Thompson Road was not awarded at the time due to a lack of funds. However, McKee said current SPLOST VI revenue allows for the addition of Thompson Road to the project.
McKee said that C.W. Matthews Contracting Co., Inc., is not obligated to complete the amended scope of work, but had agreed to do so at the cost submitted previously ($925,899.20).
Planning and Development Director Jason Streetman asked the board to cancel the contract approved in 2016 to provide development overlay for the Ga. 400 corridor from Hwy. 53 to the Forsyth County line.
The GA. 400 overlay as approved covers a large swath of Hwy. 53 within its boundaries but leaves an area of approximately eight-tenths-of-a-mile out of the overlay. Streetman said his staff had identified several parcels of land that should be included in the overlay.
He said with the Board’s approval his staff is ready to move forward with a timeline of dates for open houses, planning commission meetings, etc.
The cost for the project is expected to be approximately $45,000 and Streetman the cost could be absorbed within his department’s existing budget.
Environmental group asks BOC to support HR 158
News November 14, 2017
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Joe Cook, of the Coosa River Basin Initiative, will ask county commissioners to support House Resolution 158 when the Dawson County Board of Commissioners meets in a voting session at 6 p.m. Thursday.
The resolution claims that nearly 40 percent of the $469 million collected for the state’s Hazardous Waste Trust Fund and Solid Waste Trust Fund since 1993 has been diverted to other funds.
HR 158 seeks to have the Georgia General Assembly create a dedicated trust fund for initiatives such as hazard waste cleanups, tire dumps and clean community programs.
Commissioners also will vote on acceptance of a partially state-funded Local Maintenance Improvement Grant that will fund $537,860.97 in road repairs. State funding in the amount of $413,739.21 will be provided by Georgia’s Motor Fuel Tax. If approved, the county will provide a 30 percent match in the amount of $124,121.76.
Public Works Director David McKee said the funds will be used to repair the following roads: A.T. Moore, Mt. Vernon, Biscayne Dr., Keys Court, Sandcastle Ct., Bay Drive, Harbour Drive and Seabreeze Way.
Commissioners also are expected to vote on acceptance of a continuous grant application to provide public transportation for Dawson County citizens. The grant, which is provided through the Federal Transportation Administration, will pay 50 percent of administrative and operating budget for the county’s transportation system if commissioners approve.
Commissioners will also consider new alcohol license permit requests by the Arellano Restaurant Group, LLC, doing business as Senor Fiesta No. 3 (retail consumption on premises of beer, wine & distilled spirits) and Southern Pie, LLC doing business as MOD Pizza (retail consumption on premises of beer only).
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
- PUBLIC HEARING 1. Dawson County Soil Erosion Ordinance Revision (2nd of 2 hearings. 1st hearing was held on November 2, 2017) K. NEW BUSINESS
- Consideration of FTA/GDOT FY 19 Section 5311 Grant Application
- Consideration of 2018 Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) Application
- Consideration of 2017 Capital Improvement Element (CIE) Update Adoption Resolution
- PUBLIC COMMENT
- ADJOURNMENT
BOC Considers Contract with Ga. Technical College
News October 11, 2017
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Emergency Services Director Lanier Swafford was the presenter of three of the four items on the Dawson County Board of Commissioners work session Tuesday.
Swafford asked the board to consider approval of a clinical contract with North Georgia Technical College in Clarkesville that would allow for EMT and Paramedic students enrolled in such programs at NGT, to engage in clinical opportunities with Dawson County Emergency Services.
NG Tech is only one of two technical colleges in NE Georgia which conduct a paramedic program. DCES has previously had a clinical contract with the school. This opportunity allows for the student to experience field opportunities while in school and allows for DCES to evaluate students and possibly recruit future employees.
Swafford also sought board approval to apply for an Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG), something the county has done for many years. Swafford said county emergency management agencies who complete the mandatory activity and reporting requirements for GEMA have been eligible to receive a 50/50 matching grant to support EMA activities such as mitigation, preparation, and response to emergency situations. The funds cover a portion of the cost for Swift Reach (Reverse 911 System), weather siren maintenance, and radar subscription for the EOC.
This year the base award formula for the EMPG grant was modified and Dawson will receive an increase $7,784 in the 2017-‘18 budget year. This is a 50/50 matching grant for a total of $15,568.
The Dawson County Fire Safety and Prevention Ordinance was adopted by the Board of Commissioners in August 2005 and has never been updated. Included in this ordinance were fees to be imposed by the Dawson County Fire Marshal’s Office. Now that changes have been made to the fireworks law and additional services are being offered through the Prevention Office Swafford asked commissioners to consider updating the ordinance.
Swafford said the only major changes the department is requesting include: Align the language of the ordinance to match that of state law concerning firework permits and inspection fees; Address fees for CPR, First Aid, and Day Care Provider Fire Safety Classes. These fees have never been formally been adopted by the BOC.
Public Works Director David McKee gave commissioners a Phase Two SPLOST VI Road Improvement Project Budget Update. The program included four road rehabilitation projects. (Tanner Road, Kelly Bridge Road, Steve Tate, and Thompson as an alternate). The original contract with CW Mathews was approved May 4, 2017 for the first three roads, and on Sept 21, 2017 the BOC approved the alternate of Thompson Road.
The cost that was approved at that time was only for the CW Mathews contract which did not include all expenditures needed to complete the project. When the scope was presented to the BOC for approval, staff discussed that striping would be performed by our standby striping contractor rather than contracted as part of the road rehabilitation contractor, as such the cost needs approval from the BOC.
Striping cost is to be included in each project. Total shall include both temporary striping and permanent high build striping. The total project cost will not exceed original approved contracted budget. Budget to include all striping and or expenses related to completion of the project.
Dawson BOC meets in rare Tuesday work session
News November 20, 2017DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – The Dawson County Board of Commissioners will consider a lengthy list of agenda items during a rare Tuesday (Nov. 21) work session that begins at 4 p.m. in the Government Center Assembly Room. Board meetings are usually held on Thursdays, but this meeting was moved because this Thursday is Thanksgiving
Dawson County Commissioners have a busy agenda on tap for Tuesday’s work session.
Board appointments for 2018, grant applications, an intergovernmental agreement for municipal elections with the city of Dawsonville and several funding requests will command much of the commissioners’ time.
Commissioners will consider the reappointment of Ricky Rexroat and Lanier Swafford to the EMS Advisory Council Board, Dr. Larry Anderson and Elaine Maple to the Health Board and Chad Cofield to the Parks and Recreation Board.
Judge Lindsay Burton will ask commissioners to consider additional funds for the Juvenile Court, and Public Works Director David McKee will request funding for the Lumpkin Campground Concept Improvement Plan.
Grant applications to be considered Tuesday include a FM Global Insurance Company Fire Prevention Grant Application, a Georgia Forestry Commission 50/50 Grant Application, a Department of Public Health Occupation Safety Seat Grant and an ACCG Summer Georgia Counties Internship Program (GCIP) Grant application.
Planning and Development Director Jason Streetman will present a Special Event Alcohol Permit Application by the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce for a Business After Hours at United Community Bank on Dec. 14.
McKee will also present a request to abandon the portion of Powell Rd. between Amicalola Church Rd. and Colly Lane.
These agenda items are expected to be voted on at the next regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners.