MINUTES
PUBLIC HEARING
STEPHENS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
JUNE 27, 2006
Chairman
Steve Chitwood called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. and opened the Public
Hearing.
PRESENT: Commissioners Steve Chitwood, Kenneth Peeples, and Rex Anderson; County Administrator Darrell Hampton;
County Clerk Donna Patterson; Finance Director Phyllis Ayers
Chairman
Chitwood welcomed those in attendance.
I. APPROVE AGENDA
A motion was made by Commissioner Peeples, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, to approve the agenda as presented.
Motion carried unanimously.
II. PUBLIC
HEARINGS
1.
PRESENTATION OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2007 BUDGET
County
Administrator Darrell Hampton explained the requirements in accordance with
Georgia law for adopting the County budget.
This is the second Public Hearing for public review. Both hearings were advertised in the local
legal organ and the public was also informed that the budget was available
for review at the County Commission Office.
Administrator
Hampton provided the Commission and those in attendance with a printed copy
of the highlights of the proposed budget.
This document is attached and shown as Exhibit “A” being made a part
of these minutes.
Administrator
Hampton gave a summary of the proposed Fiscal Year 2007 Budget. The budget consists of the following expenditures:
General funds - $12,560,617; Special Revenue funds - $316,770; Restricted
funds - $7,989,657; and Enterprise funds - $1,070,918. The proposed millage rate for Fiscal Year 2007
is 9.94, which is a .01 decrease from last year’s budget. The overall FY 2007 Budget is $21,937,960.
Administrator
Hampton stated that four new positions - one in the road department and
three in the sheriff’s department - are included in the budget, as well
as a 3.4% cost of living increase for employees.
He further explained that the rising cost of fuel and the cost of
paving roads are included in the proposed budget.
Administrator
Hampton stated that no new debt is proposed in the new budget.
Chairman
Chitwood called for any comments or questions from the public or Commissioners.
Pierce
Anderson came forward and asked if funds were budgeted for paving roads
in Lake Harbor Shores.
Administrator
Hampton stated that funds were not included in the budget for paving in
Lake Harbor Shores at this time.
Chairman
Chitwood asked for any further comments concerning the FY 2007 Budget.
There
were no further comments.
2.
WIRELESS ENHANCED 911 CHARGE
Emergency
Communications Director Paige Worley came forward and explained that Georgia
State law allows local governments to impose a wireless Enhanced 911 charge
to wireless cell phone users within their jurisdiction at a rate of $1.00
per month. If the Commissioners
approve this charge, it will help to fund equipment and other necessary
items needed to serve wireless customers at Stephens County’s new 911 center.
Commissioner
Anderson asked how the County would be able to track cell phones users within
the County.
Director
Worley stated that phone manufacturers would provide the County with subscribers
whose billing address is within Stephens County.
Director
Worley said that our Enhanced 911 system will use the GPS method which is
capable of providing automatic number identification and the location of
the base station or cell site of incoming wireless calls. This allows E-911 to assist the cell phone users during an emergency.
Joe
Anderson asked when the extra charge would be implemented.
Director
Worley stated that the charge would begin 120 days after approval by the
Commissioners.
Joe
Anderson asked if the charge would go in effect even if the Enhanced 911
was not up and running at that time.
Director
Worley stated that the charge would go into effect in 120 days, if approved
by the Commission, regardless of the operation of the system. At this time, everything is on schedule. The Basic 911 service has taken over all dispatch
functions for Toccoa Police Department, Toccoa Fire Department and Stephens
County Fire Services. Alltel has
completed the first scrub of the MSAG (Master Street Address Guide) system
and it has less than an 8% error rate – which is almost unheard of in a
first scrub. Generally, the error
rate is around 25%. Alltel requires
the MSAG to be 98% complete and correct before they will turn on the Enhanced
911 services. Director Worley highly commended her staff
for the excellent work they accomplished on making changes and compiling
all the information into the system. Based
upon the preliminary comments from Alltel, the basic service should be transferred
to enhanced service in September.
Jonesy
Haygood came forward and said that the County keeps extending the time-line
and that the County should wait until it is fully operable before charging
anyone.
Administrator
Hampton explained that the proposed budget would have to be changed. The fees were included in the 2007 budget to
help with the operational costs of the E-911 center.
Mr.
Haygood said that he thought SPLOST funds would cover the operational costs.
Administrator
Hampton said SPOST funds are only for the construction of the building.
Mr.
Haygood asked how much revenue was built into the budget from the wireless
charge.
Administrator
Hampton stated approximately a half-million dollars.
Commissioner
Peeples asked Director Worley for a date that the enhanced system would
be up and running.
Director
Worley stated that she did not want to give an exact date in case something
happens.
Commissioner
Peeples said that he wanted a date.
Director
Worley stated that Alltel was the only one that could give an exact date
and they couldn’t give a date until after the scrubs are finished. She will be meeting with Alltel tomorrow and
will report back to the Commission.
Commissioner
Peeples requested for Ms. Worley to have a date set by the next Commission
meeting on July 11, 2006.
Chairman
Chitwood stated that all the address change requests, month after month,
put everything behind. The County
tried to accommodate the citizens and it took time to make all the changes.
A
citizen asked when Alltel was being bought out and how it would affect E-911.
Director
Worley stated that Alltel reported to her, by letter, that nothing would
change except their name.
Commissioner
Peeples asked if prepaid wireless phone users would be charged the fee.
Director
Worley stated they would not be charged unless they use a billing address
for their phone service.
III. ADJOURNMENT
There
being no further comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Peeples, seconded
by Commissioner Anderson, to close the Public Hearing and adjourn to the
Called Meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
Approved this __________ day of ___________________, 2006.
_______________________________________
Chairman Steve Chitwood
ATTEST:
___________________________________
County Clerk Donna L. Patterson