Madison County residents can expect some adjustments to county commission district lines later this year, which means some citizens in one district now may vote in another in the 2012 elections.
The Georgia General Assembly will hold a special session in August to draw new House and Senate districts based on data from the 2010 Census. And local district lines will also be evaluated.
BOC chairman Anthony Dove told commissioners Monday that he will meet with state officials in Atlanta today (Thursday) to discuss redistricting in Madison County.
“The regional commission thought there would have to be some redrawing of lines,” he told commissioners.
All five county commission districts had some population growth over the past decade, with District 3 (the Hull area) showing the greatest growth, an increase of 778 residents. District 5 increased by 659 residents. District 4 was up by 485, with District 1 increasing by 266 and District 2 by 202.
Madison County commission seats are now determined through staggered elections. Last year, voters hit the polls to elect commissioners in Districts 2, 3 and 5. Next year, voters will determine the BOC chairman, along with commissioners in Districts 1 and 4.
In other matters Monday, county commissioners opened four bids for the repaving of Madison Street, the road in Danielsville in front of the county schools. The board agreed to have the road department evaluate the bids, then discuss the matter again at a special called meeting at 4 p.m. today (Thursday).
Dove announced roads that the state has approved for paving through its local assistance for roads program. They include Five Points Road, Fred Goss Road, Martin Griffeth Road and Strickland Circle. Dove said a meeting was also planned to at the Department of Transportation office in Carnesville to discuss Charles Hart Road. The chairman said the BOC will need to submit its road requests for 2012 local assistance funding by the end of July. He said roads considered right now are Sanford Nicholson Road, Jones Chapel Road, Helican Springs Road, J. Davis Road and Foote McClellan Road.
The board approved Parker Traffic Markings Inc. handle some road striping in the county. They agreed to postpone a decision on what to do with a Cat Dozier. The large piece of equipment used in road grading is not used much. And the county has been offered $305,000 by Caterpillar for the equipment, with some possible equipment swaps in the deal. The board agreed to have the road department check out the equipment the county may receive before they agree to any deal.
The commissioners renewed the annual contribution to the Northern Judicial Circuit’s Public Defender program. The state shifted more of the cost of the program to local governments. Madison County’s contribution increased from $71,277 annually to $72,306.
The board heard from a couple of citizens who are operating an equine rescue operation in Madison County. That operation will be featured in an upcoming issue of The Journal.
