Blairsville, GA – Union County Sole Commissioner Lamar Paris convened the June Meeting of the Commissioner on Thursday, June 15, 2017 at 6 p.m.

Paris announced approval of the Agreement between Union County and Air Methods Corporation in the amount of $55,668 for emergency air medical transportation services for the citizens of Union County and their household members from June 1, 2017 to May 31, 2018. The County will pay half and Union General Hospital will cover the other half.

In his Commissioner’s Comments, Paris addressed two Letters to the Editor in recent issues of the North Georgia News (NGN). One person wrote in with an accusation that Paris had paid an exorbitant amount of money, much more than the assessed value per acre, for the 13 acre (Davenport) parcel that adjoins the east/south side of Union County Farmers Market. Paris said the assessed value and the market value are two very different things, especially depending on the use of the property. He said that’s why he first ordered an appraisal to determine the estimated market value prior to any dealings with the Davenport family. Paris said, in the future, he would appreciate it if people would come to the public Commissioner’s Meetings and directly confront him face-to-face with issues they are struggling with. Another person wrote a Letter to the Editor in the NGN with a grievance concerning the County’s Handling of the Union County Jail with respect to overcrowding; this person quoted false statistics. Paris reiterated that it would be much more civilized for people to attend the Commissioner’s Meetings rather than using the local paper make false and inaccurate allegations that he cannot effectively and immediately respond to.

In further commenting, Paris described the Davenport property and gave a mono log of the benefits of the property to Union County residents and displayed a map graphically depicting the location and related benefits of said property.

Other items that Commissioner Paris approved were:

• Agreement between Union County and Legacy Link for the required local share during FY 2018 in the amount of $95,000. These funds are used by the Area Agency on Aging as match to draw down the federal and state monies.
• Agreement between Union County and Communication Service, Inc. in the amount of $420/month for maintenance of Union County 911 Dispatch communications equipment.
• Settlement Agreement between Union County and Winter construction Co. in the amount of $20,000 for a continuing water leak problem at the Union County Community Center.
• Appointment of Jack Parker to the Union County Board of Assessors for a five-year term to end June 1, 2022.
• Accountability Courts Grant of Mental Health Court in the amount of $121,736.
• Accountability Courts Grant for Adult Felony Drug Court – South – in the amount of $223,080.
• Accountability Courts Grant for Adult Felony Drug Court – North – in the amount of $214,192.
• Accountability Courts Grant for Family Drug Court in the amount of $195,858.
• Business License to Gessmann Cabin
• Business License to Sun Oak Cabin Rental
Paris said, referring to the above referenced Grants, that they are actions taken by Georgia Governor Deal in an attempt to reduce jail overcrowding.

Paris said that, due to a scheduling conflict with an out-of-town meeting he must attend next month, the July Commissioner’s Meeting will be changed to Tuesday, July 20, 2017 at 6 p.m.

With no further business to conduct, Paris adjourned the Meeting. See a video of the entire Meeting below.