BOC plans retreat to discuss county's future

The BOC agreed Monday to hold a “retreat” at 8 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 6, in the commissioners’ meeting room to discuss plans for 2009 and beyond. The meeting, which is expected to last three to four hours, is open to the public.

Commissioner Mike Youngblood called for the meeting, saying he would like to get input from BOC chairman-elect Anthony Dove and new commissioner Dewitt “Pete” Bond II on various county issues.

Dove addressed the board Monday night, saying he’d like the county finance committee to meet soon and discuss several money matters. For instance, he wants the committee to examine how cash is handled in the county government and look at more safeguards against misuse. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is still looking into the theft of over $80,000 in the BOC office.

Dove said he’d also like for the committee to look at special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) dollars.

Madison County voters renewed a one-cent sales tax for county improvements this year, which is expected to bring in $12.6 million over six years. However, with the downturn in the economy, some of that anticipated revenue might not materialize.

“We need to take a serious look at how we handle that and how it’s coming in,” said Dove.

The chairman-elect also noted that the state government will significantly cut back its assistance to local governments after Jan. 1.

“They’re pretty much doing what they’ve been doing to the school system,” said Dove. “They’re going to put it all back on us.”

The chairman-elect said the county will have to pick up significant engineering costs that the state formerly handled. He suggested the BOC work with other government entities in the county to hire technical staff to support municipalities, the industrial authority and the county government.

“I think you’re smart getting in here early,” said current BOC chairman Wesley Nash to Dove.

Nash said Dove will face significant hurdles now that the state is cutting back its assistance to local governments. Nash noted that the county was guaranteed about $330,000 annually in state aid for roads under his administration, but that now they anticipate dividing $750,000 between 12 counties.

“It (state aid) was a good thing,” said Nash to Dove. “But it may have gotten them into debt and now they’re going to recoup it on your watch.”

Dove said he is looking at the budget constraints as an opportunity.

“We’ve been living beyond our means, both governmentally and personally,” said Dove. “Maybe this is God’s way of hitting us over the head.”

MEETING WITH MACORTS

In a separate matter Monday, the BOC heard from Sherri Moore, a spokesperson for the Madison Athens-Clarke Oconee Regional Transportation Study (MACORTS). Moore informed the BOC that MACORTS is conducting a study now in the area, not only to determine general public transportation needs, but also to determine how disabled and elderly transportation issues can be addressed. She spoke of various funding programs that could help the county establish transportation services, like handicapped accessible vans to help disabled and elderly citizens to doctor’s appointments.

Nash questioned Moore on why a portion of a Hwy. 29 traffic study, which MACORTS agreed to fund, won’t be covered. MACORTS paid for approximately $20,000 of the $30,000 traffic study. Moore said the funds for the study were available through June 30 and that the project was not completed by the end of the fiscal year.

Later in the meeting, commissioner Stanley Thomas brought up the traffic study again, expressing dismay that MACORTS has helped fund the establishment of bike lanes on Hawthorne Avenue in Athens but that Madison County can’t get funds for a traffic light study at a heavily traveled and dangerous intersection in the county.

OTHER BUSINESS

In other business Monday, the board agreed to have Linda Cox, who was recently hired as a part-time deputy county clerk, serve in a full-time capacity, at least until the end of the year.

The board agreed to allow county coroner Michelle Cleveland to exceed her budget for 2008. She noted that transportation costs for autopsies have increased and that there have been nine more autopsies necessary in the county this year, 26, than there were all of last year. She also said the county has had three unclaimed bodies this year and that the county has had to assume responsibility for them. Youngblood said he’d like to consider the possibility of having county ambulances handle autopsy transports. Cleveland said that’s a possibility, but noted that such a practice wouldn’t be appropriate in all cases, such as deaths involving decomposition or burns, which could compromise the cleanliness of the vehicle for future medical patients.