BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. – Sole Commissioner Lamar Paris convened the December commissioner’s meeting Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017, at 6 p.m. following the 2018 Budget hearing, which commenced at 5 p.m. at the Union County Court House. Laura Driscol, Union County Finance Director, was available at both the budget hearing and the commissioner’s meeting for questions. No comments were made at the budget hearing. Paris adopted the proposed budget at the commissioner’s meeting with Resolution R-2017-17.

FY 2018 PROPOSED BUDGET
EXPENDITURES
Administration	487,270		SPECIAL REVENUE FUND
Building Maintenance	835,609		Revenues	1,384,353
Elections	161,197		Expenditures	1,384,353
Inspection	234,767
Law	20,000		CAPITAL PROJECT FUND
Tax Commissioner	327,033		Revenues	7,840,200
Tax Assessor	332,479		Expenditures	7,840,200
Risk Management	240,000
Internal Audit	50,000		ENTERPRISE FUND REVENUES
Gen. Government Bldgs and Plant	293,014		Revenues	2,663,535
Judicial Administration	3,500		Expenditures	2,663,535
Superior Court	122,500
Clerk of Superior Court	280,098		DEBT SERVICE
District Attorney	97,011		Revenues	1,464,150
Magistrate Court	193,590		Expenditures	1,464,150
Probate Court	234,873
Juvenile Court	184,500
Grand Jury	1,200
Public Defender	85,000
Sheriff	2,743,644
Jail	1,622,332
SRO	162,153
Animal Control	154,972
Coroner	33,282
Ambulance	300,000
Fire	1,148,800
Highways and Streets	1,229,389
Solid Waste and Recycling	62,200
Maintenance and Shop	134,698
Health	152,386
Welfare	25,000
Senior Citizens Center	171,491
Community Center	59,420
City of Blairsville/ UGH	135,000
Transportation Services	84,640		REVENUES
Drug Court	1,000		Taxes	10,853,319
Culture/Recreation Administration	47,100		Sales tax	3,310,000
Library	263,500		Licenses and Permits	312,100
Conservation Administration	77,833		Charges for Services	244,900
Development Authority	170,000		Intergovernmental Revenues	551,173
Agricultural Resources	46,514		Fines and Forfeitures	513,000
Forest Resources	5,355		Investment Income	38,000
Engineering Planning & Land Use	148,242		Contributions and Donations	5,000
Economic Development	52,000		Miscellaneous	726,600
Operating Transfers to Other Funds	3,400,000		Other Financing Sources	60,500
TOTAL EXPENDITURES	16,614,592		TOTAL REVENUES	16,614,592

 

The commissioner adopted Resolution R-2017-15 authorizing the filing of an application with the Georgia Department of Transportation and the United States Department of Transportation for a grant for public transportation assistance under Section 5311 of the Federal Transit Laws. He said the grant has historically paid for 40 to 45 percent of the cost of the Union County Transit System.

Resolution R-2017-16 was approved by Paris authorizing participation in the ACCG – Interlocal Risk Management Agency (IRMA) Supplemental Medical, Accident and Disability Fund for the purpose of providing coverage, by state law as of Jan. 1, 2018, for those risks imposed upon the county. This resolution, he said, authorizes him to sign a participation agreement with ACCG Insurance for the company to provide cancer insurance for all full-time and volunteer firefighters in Union County. The agreement, which Paris approved, between ACCG-IRMA and Union County for the county’s participation in the Firefighter’s Cancer Benefit Program will cost $12,225 per year.

Paris approved a notice to proceed for Stahlman-England Irrigation, Inc. to commence work in accordance with a contract dated Nov. 16, 2017, on Nov. 27, 2017. The work shall be completed on or before April 30, 2018.

A contract between Union County and Correctional Resource Group, a restaurant management and development firm located in McDonough, Georgia, to provide meals at the Union County Jail was approved by Paris. The contract meal price is guaranteed through Dec. 31, 2018. There is no increase in the meal price over last year. Paris said meals ran under $2 per unit.

The commissioner approved an amendment to the health services agreement between Union County and CorrectHealth Union, LLC to be effective Jan. 1, 2018, to Dec. 31, 2018. The contract price remains the same as last year at $12,279.84 per month. CorrectHealth Union, LLC manages the medical needs of inmates at the Union County Jail.

Paris approved a Business License for Rock Ridge Retreat, a cabin rental business located at 89 Flat Rock Ridge Road, Blairsville, Georgia. This is the only type of license issued in Union County, he said, for the purpose of collecting the hotel/motel tax.

In his commissioner’s comments, Paris remarked that the county made it through the first winter snow with a minimum of hardship and only one automobile accident with serious injuries. Paris also made mention of the retirement of the old courthouse video camera that uses VHS tapes and its replacement, a new digital video camera.

A question was raised regarding the cost to people who use the county transportation system. Paris responded that there had been no complaints about it, but if there were people who were financially strapped to use the system, they would need to contact Jenifer Queen at the Commissioner’s Office to see if some concession could be found. Queen said the fee to anyone who uses the system is $3 for the first mile and $0.25 per mile after that and that because state and federal funding is involved, the rules are very strict.

Another question was raised regarding the economic development of Union County, specifically, if any incentives were being offered to attract business to this area. Paris responded that it is still early in the recovery and nothing was being offered at this time. However, he said, Advanced Digital Cable is expanding their facility at the Industrial Park, doubling their square footage, so they can double their production. Also, he said, Advanced Corrugated Replacement will likely expand in the next year.

 

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