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The Banks County Board of Commissioners moved forward Tuesday night with a board of elections being appointed to oversee elections.
The BOC approved a resolution to seek local legislation to create a board of elections to oversee elections instead of the probate judge’s office.
“We believe this would better serve the county,” Probate Judge Betty Thomas said. “We also believe that down the road that the secretary of state’s office will require a board of elections.”
Before approving the resolution, the BOC reviewed the proposed resolution, line by line, and made changes. One of the changes was that the board will be comprised of four people and a chairman instead of the proposed two people and a chairman.
“I think this is critical,” commissioner Charles Turk said in making the recommendation that the number of members be increased
BOC agrees on allocation of $1 million
A $1 million settlement Banks County received from Waste Management will be used to pay off debt.
The Banks County Board of Commissioners agreed Tuesday night to allocate $800,000 of the $1 million to pay off the “clearwell” debt. This project was the installation of a one million gallon in-ground tank at the water plant to increase the clear water storage.
The other $200,000 in the settlement fund will be used, along with SPLOST revenue, to pay off the Race Track expansion project debt.
For more coverage from the Tuesday night BOC meeting, see this week's issue of The Banks County News.
The Banks County Board of Commissioners agreed Tuesday night to allocate $800,000 of the $1 million to pay off the “clearwell” debt. This project was the installation of a one million gallon in-ground tank at the water plant to increase the clear water storage.
The other $200,000 in the settlement fund will be used, along with SPLOST revenue, to pay off the Race Track expansion project debt.
For more coverage from the Tuesday night BOC meeting, see this week's issue of The Banks County News.
Tax bills set to go out Oct. 20
The Banks County Board of Tax Assessors received word at the monthly meeting that tax bills should be going out later this month.
Chief appraiser Kevin Whitman advised the board that the 2012 tax digest was submitted on Oct. 5 and approved. “Tax bills should go out on Oct. 20,” Whitman said.
Whitman estimated the decrease in the tax digest from last year to be between 1 ½ and 3 percent.
Chief appraiser Kevin Whitman advised the board that the 2012 tax digest was submitted on Oct. 5 and approved. “Tax bills should go out on Oct. 20,” Whitman said.
Whitman estimated the decrease in the tax digest from last year to be between 1 ½ and 3 percent.
County and cities agree on sales tax distribution numbers
After negotiating for approximately three hours on Thursday evening, the Banks County Board of Commissioners and the mayors of the cities of Alto, Baldwin, Gillsville, Lula and Maysville came to an agreement on how the local option sales tax (LOST) revenue would be distributed.
The meeting, held at the request of Maysville City Council member Kathleen Bush, opened with the BOC proposing to receive 85 percent of the revenues and the cities splitting the remaining 15 percent. The cities opened with an offer of 80.5 percent for the county.
By the time the meeting was finished, the county agreed to 83.25 percent with the cities, including Homer, splitting 16.75 percent. [Full Story »]
The meeting, held at the request of Maysville City Council member Kathleen Bush, opened with the BOC proposing to receive 85 percent of the revenues and the cities splitting the remaining 15 percent. The cities opened with an offer of 80.5 percent for the county.
By the time the meeting was finished, the county agreed to 83.25 percent with the cities, including Homer, splitting 16.75 percent. [Full Story »]
Development Authority approves purchase of land
Following a closed session that lasted approximately 20 minutes during the Aug. 21 meeting, the Banks County Development Authority unanimously approved the purchase of some property at Banks Crossing.
The authority approved chairman Scott Ledford to purchase the property for $1.6 million and sign the contract on the 109.489 acres being purchased from Black Family Enterprises, L.P. and Wiley Black.
The property, located in the southeastern portion of Banks County, is across from Wendy’s and runs behind Boots, etc.
In a handout prepared by Brad Day, Banks County Planner, Day reported the funds for the purchase of the property comes from Development Authority reserves that were saved and intended for this purpose.
Day said, “It is hoped that this investment will spur additional investment by private sources in Banks County. This investment should result in 250 jobs or more at full development. The investment should add $10-$20 million to the Banks County tax base at full development.”
The authority approved chairman Scott Ledford to purchase the property for $1.6 million and sign the contract on the 109.489 acres being purchased from Black Family Enterprises, L.P. and Wiley Black.
The property, located in the southeastern portion of Banks County, is across from Wendy’s and runs behind Boots, etc.
In a handout prepared by Brad Day, Banks County Planner, Day reported the funds for the purchase of the property comes from Development Authority reserves that were saved and intended for this purpose.
Day said, “It is hoped that this investment will spur additional investment by private sources in Banks County. This investment should result in 250 jobs or more at full development. The investment should add $10-$20 million to the Banks County tax base at full development.”
Banks County voters will soon vote on Sunday alcohol sales by the drink
In a called meeting on Wednesday, the Banks County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to allow the voters in Banks County to decide on Sunday alcohol sales by the drink.
Commissioner Sammy Reece made the motion to put the referendum on the ballot for the Nov. 6 election. The motion was approved unanimously.
Banks County Development Authority Chairman Scott Ledford brought the issue before the BOC.
Ledford said the restaurant and hotel owners in the Banks Crossing area brought it to the attention of the development authority that they were losing revenue due to the fact that Sunday alcohol sales by the drink is not allowed in Banks County.
Ledford also reported that some, what some might call, “trophy-type” restaurants have withdrawn their interest in locating in Banks County due to the fact that Sunday alcohol sales by the drink is not allowed.
“I am asking the five of you to allow the people to decide," Ledford said. "I am not asking for an endorsement. It is not just the Sunday sales, it is based on the total package.”
Ledford said the purpose is to get establishments to come to Banks County and bring in additional revenue.
“If you lose a new restaurant because you don’t’ allow Sunday alcohol sales by the drink, you have also lost the sales the other six days of the week,” Ledford said.
The proposed question for the voters in November will be: “Shall the governing authority of Banks County, Georgia be authorized to permit and regulate Sunday sales of distilled spirits or alcoholic beverages for beverage purposes by the drink?”
Commissioner Sammy Reece made the motion to put the referendum on the ballot for the Nov. 6 election. The motion was approved unanimously.
Banks County Development Authority Chairman Scott Ledford brought the issue before the BOC.
Ledford said the restaurant and hotel owners in the Banks Crossing area brought it to the attention of the development authority that they were losing revenue due to the fact that Sunday alcohol sales by the drink is not allowed in Banks County.
Ledford also reported that some, what some might call, “trophy-type” restaurants have withdrawn their interest in locating in Banks County due to the fact that Sunday alcohol sales by the drink is not allowed.
“I am asking the five of you to allow the people to decide," Ledford said. "I am not asking for an endorsement. It is not just the Sunday sales, it is based on the total package.”
Ledford said the purpose is to get establishments to come to Banks County and bring in additional revenue.
“If you lose a new restaurant because you don’t’ allow Sunday alcohol sales by the drink, you have also lost the sales the other six days of the week,” Ledford said.
The proposed question for the voters in November will be: “Shall the governing authority of Banks County, Georgia be authorized to permit and regulate Sunday sales of distilled spirits or alcoholic beverages for beverage purposes by the drink?”
Tire round up planned Friday only
The Banks County Commissioners, along with Keep Our Mountains Beautiful -Bank County, is hosting a Free Tire Roundup on Friday, June 8, from 7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. at the Road Department located at 419 Otis Rucker Road, Homer.
The tire round up will not be held on Saturday, as was listed in a front page article in this week’s issue.
“This is an opportunity to remove and recycle used tires from landowners property at no cost to them,” Leslie George, director, Keep Out Mountains Beautiful said. “There are some requirements. This event is only open to Banks County residents and documentation will be required. This is for residents only. No commercial tires will be accepted.”
In an effort to serve more residents, no more than four tires, per adult, will be accepted. This opportunity is for passenger vehicle tires only. No tractor or large equipment tires will be accepted
“This is a first-come, first-served opportunity, so if you wait until the end of the day, there may not be room for your tires,” George said. “We will only be able to accept 600 tires at this event.”
For more information, call 706-677-2344.
The tire round up will not be held on Saturday, as was listed in a front page article in this week’s issue.
“This is an opportunity to remove and recycle used tires from landowners property at no cost to them,” Leslie George, director, Keep Out Mountains Beautiful said. “There are some requirements. This event is only open to Banks County residents and documentation will be required. This is for residents only. No commercial tires will be accepted.”
In an effort to serve more residents, no more than four tires, per adult, will be accepted. This opportunity is for passenger vehicle tires only. No tractor or large equipment tires will be accepted
“This is a first-come, first-served opportunity, so if you wait until the end of the day, there may not be room for your tires,” George said. “We will only be able to accept 600 tires at this event.”
For more information, call 706-677-2344.
County, towns to meet Monday on sales tax negotiations
Banks County officials will meet with representatives from towns in the county on Monday to discuss the negotiations for the local option sales tax (LOST).
The meeting will be held at 3 p.m. at the courthouse annex board room.
County leaders will be meeting with representatives from the cities of Alto, Baldwin, Gillsville, Homer, Lula and Maysville to renegotiate the sales tax distribution.
City leaders have already met to discuss the issue and air concerns that the formula being proposed by the county is not fair.
At the town meeting, Lula City Manager Dennis Bergin presented information on the legislation that was passed in 1994 which requires cities and counties to periodically renegotiate their revenue distribution arrangements. In the original proposal by Banks County, the cities would collectively loose $1.2 million over a 10-year period. Bergin said in determining the percentages for the LOST allocations the county used a modified population and commercial digest. Bergin said the cities want to re-negotiate a formula that works for the county and all of the cities involved.
BOC chairman Milton Dalton wrote in a letter to the town officials that the county believes the proposed formula is fair.
“The county thinks the proposals offered the cities were fair and equitable and in the best interest of all citizens of Banks County,” Dalton said.
The meeting will be held at 3 p.m. at the courthouse annex board room.
County leaders will be meeting with representatives from the cities of Alto, Baldwin, Gillsville, Homer, Lula and Maysville to renegotiate the sales tax distribution.
City leaders have already met to discuss the issue and air concerns that the formula being proposed by the county is not fair.
At the town meeting, Lula City Manager Dennis Bergin presented information on the legislation that was passed in 1994 which requires cities and counties to periodically renegotiate their revenue distribution arrangements. In the original proposal by Banks County, the cities would collectively loose $1.2 million over a 10-year period. Bergin said in determining the percentages for the LOST allocations the county used a modified population and commercial digest. Bergin said the cities want to re-negotiate a formula that works for the county and all of the cities involved.
BOC chairman Milton Dalton wrote in a letter to the town officials that the county believes the proposed formula is fair.
“The county thinks the proposals offered the cities were fair and equitable and in the best interest of all citizens of Banks County,” Dalton said.
Banks officials don’t attend meeting called by towns
Banks County officials were no-shows at the called meeting of the cities of Baldwin, Lula, Gillsville, Maysville and Alto on Tuesday night to negotiate the allocation of Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) revenue.
The town leaders had asked for the meeting but Banks County officials asked for additional information before a negotiating meeting be held. BOC chairman Milton Dalton sent a letter to Mayor Milton Turner stating that the commissioners would not be in attendance at the meeting Tuesday night.
“I stated the county would contact the cities to schedule a meeting once the requested information was received,” Dalton wrote. “That has not changed and we look forward to receiving the information so we may be better informed of city services and qualifications toward the LOST negotiations….As soon as we receive the requested information, we will be happy to schedule the joint meeting but due to conflicting schedules, some of the commissioners will not be able to attend the May 1 meeting. We feel it is the best interest of all the citizens of Banks County for the entire board to be present at the joint meeting.” [Full Story »]
The town leaders had asked for the meeting but Banks County officials asked for additional information before a negotiating meeting be held. BOC chairman Milton Dalton sent a letter to Mayor Milton Turner stating that the commissioners would not be in attendance at the meeting Tuesday night.
“I stated the county would contact the cities to schedule a meeting once the requested information was received,” Dalton wrote. “That has not changed and we look forward to receiving the information so we may be better informed of city services and qualifications toward the LOST negotiations….As soon as we receive the requested information, we will be happy to schedule the joint meeting but due to conflicting schedules, some of the commissioners will not be able to attend the May 1 meeting. We feel it is the best interest of all the citizens of Banks County for the entire board to be present at the joint meeting.” [Full Story »]
Essay contest winners recognized by BOC
Winner of an essay contest on the importance of trees were recognized Tuesday night by the Banks County Board of Commissioners.
Ashton Whitehead was recognized as the first place winner of the contest sponsored by Keep Our Mountains Beautiful contest. Colton Decker was recognized as the second place winner.
In other business at the meeting Tuesday night, the BOC:
•approved a conditional use permit application from Country Boys Enterprises to operate a satellite sales and firearm sales business on five acres at 785 Caudell Road.
•approved a request to sell three pieces of surplus equipment to Yancey/CAT Equipment for a total of $42,900
.
•approved a request from public utilities director Steve Reece to lift the hiring freeze in order to fill a vacant utility repairman position. The salary will be $12.70 per hour.
•approved the low bid from A Better Gas Company for the 2012 LP gas bids.
Ashton Whitehead was recognized as the first place winner of the contest sponsored by Keep Our Mountains Beautiful contest. Colton Decker was recognized as the second place winner.
In other business at the meeting Tuesday night, the BOC:
•approved a conditional use permit application from Country Boys Enterprises to operate a satellite sales and firearm sales business on five acres at 785 Caudell Road.
•approved a request to sell three pieces of surplus equipment to Yancey/CAT Equipment for a total of $42,900
.
•approved a request from public utilities director Steve Reece to lift the hiring freeze in order to fill a vacant utility repairman position. The salary will be $12.70 per hour.
•approved the low bid from A Better Gas Company for the 2012 LP gas bids.
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