The regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners was held at on Tuesday, May 1, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. in the Catoosa County Administrative Building, Ringgold, Georgia.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE AMERICAN FLAG AND INVOCATION
Commissioner Marks gave the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Clark called the meeting to order, and the following Commissioners were present: William H. H. Clark, Chairman; Ken Marks, Commissioner, District One; Robert Winters, Commissioner, District Two; James F. Emberson, Commissioner District Three; and Dewayne Hill, Commissioner, District Four.
SET THE AGENDA
Chairman Clark called for changes to the agenda and the agenda was amended as follows: Additions: Chamber of Commerce Report from Martha Eaker; Executive Session for Personnel and Legal Advice. Remove: None. The Board unanimously approved the amended agenda.
MINUTES
Chairman Clark called for corrections or approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of April 17, 2007, and the called meeting of April 16, 2007. There were no corrections and the minutes were approved as presented by unanimous consent.
PRESENTATION
Chairman Clark presented County Manager Ron Brown with a certification of training completion from the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia.
AMINISTRATIVE-FISCAL MATTERS
Midyear Budget Amendment Fiscal Year 06-07 Chief Financial Officer Carl Henson presented a midyear budget amendment resolution for the fiscal year 2006-2007. The resolution is as follows:
Resolution # 07-006
WHEREAS, the county’s fiscal year begins October 1, 2006 and ends September 30, 2007, and
WHEREAS, state law requires that each county operate under a balanced budget adopted by ordinance or resolution, and
WHEREAS, the annual budget can be amended during the fiscal year to adapt to changing governmental needs, and
WHEREAS, the budget shall be adopted at the legal level of budgetary control which is the fund/department level. That is, expenditures may not exceed the total for any department within a fund without the board of commissioners’ approval. The Budget Officer, however, shall have the authority to transfer appropriations within a department within a fund from one line item (to another object classification within the same department) to other line items, except for salary line items. The county Board of Commissioners must approve any increases in any salary line item, and
WHEREAS, the county staff prepared a proposed balance budget stating the anticipated revenues by source and expenditures by department for the proposed fiscal year, the current fiscal year as well as the previous fiscal year, and
WHEREAS, the county Chief Financial Officer submitted the proposed budget to the Catoosa County Board of Commissioners on July 14, 2006, displayed a copy of the proposed budget in the Office of the Board of Commissioners, and displayed a copy on the bulletin board of the Catoosa County Administrative Building, and the Courthouse Annex for public review, and provided the Catoosa County News with a copy of the proposed budget, and
WHEREAS, county staff notified the public, through a newspaper advertisement that the proposed budget is available for review in the Office of the Board of Commissioners of Catoosa County, and the time and day of the budget public hearing, and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners conducted public hearings on July 20, 2006 at 10:00 a.m., July 20, 2006 at 6:00 p.m., and July 27, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the proposed budget, and
WHEREAS, county staff notified the public, through a newspaper advertisement, of the adoption of the budget resolution, and
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners adopted the budget resolution on July 27, 2006 as follows:
General Fund Revenues and Expenditures - $22,334,442
Special Revenue Funds Revenues and Expenditures - $1,292,911
Enterprise Funds Revenues and Expenditures - $837,293
Capital Project Funds Revenues and Expenditures - $8,600,000*
Total Annual Budget - $33,064,646
WHEREAS, during the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2005 and ending September 30, 2006, the county will be required to meet changing governmental expenses and needs, which arise during the fiscal year. In accordance with the provision of O.C.G.A. 36-81-3 (d), the board has determined to amend the budgets to reflect the changing needs and expenses encountered during the fiscal year.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Catoosa County Board of Commissioners hereby amends the fiscal year 2006-07 budget as provided herein.
So resolved this first day of May 2007.
*For information only.
Chairman Clark called for all those in favor of approving the midyear budget amendment resolution for the fiscal year 2006-2007 do say by saying aye. There was no opposition and the resolution was approved by unanimous consent.
Contracts for Rural Public Transportation – 6-months and 12-months County Manager Ron Brown presented the contracts for the Rural Public Transportation. Mr. Brown explained there were two contracts that needed to be approved and signed by the Chairman one being for 6 months and the other for 12 months. Chairman Clark called for all those in favor of approving the 6 and 12-month contracts for Rural Transportation do so by saying aye. There was no opposition and the contracts were approved by unanimous consent.
REPORTS
· ACCG Annual Meeting in Savannah, GA- Mr. Brown said he found the meeting and trip to be very informative and discussed the different topics and training received at the meetings.
· Mr. Brown requested Public Works Director Olney Meadows to report on a transportation grant. Olney Meadows discussed the County’s opportunity to apply for a transportation enhancement grant that would benefit the County by helping to complete the Veteran’s Memorial at Benton Place Campus and construct a walking trail around the campus. Mr. Meadows stated the approximate cost of the project would be $435,370 and the cost to the County would be approximately $45,000 in labor only. Mr. Meadows stated he is requesting permission from the Board to proceed with applying for the transportation enhancement grant. Chairman Clark called for all those in favor of Mr. Meadows proceeding with applying for the transportation enhancement grant do so by saying aye. There was no opposition and the request to proceed was approved by unanimous consent.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REPORT Martha Eaker, president of the Chamber of Commerce, presented the Board with an update of the Chamber of Commerce’s accomplishments throughout the year and events and goals planned for the upcoming year.
Phyllis Williams, Resident. Said she was glad Mr. Brown brought up the water issue because officials in Ft. Oglethorpe had informed her there was not a water issue in this area and she feels that if the officials are all receiving the same training at these meetings someone should have the officials in Ft. Oglethorpe get their story straight. Ms. Williams said she was glad the Commissioners were able to go to Savannah; she was on vacation as well but had to pay her own way.
Commissioner Emberson, said he also found the workshops and training at the annual ACCG meeting in Savannah very educational, especially the Pandemic meeting and the importance of being prepared for what might happen.
Commissioner Marks, said he recently had a conversation with Senator Jeff Mullis who informed him the monies for the Colleges at the Benton Place Campus will be included in the next budget. Commissioner Marks also stated he found the training in Savannah to be very informative.
EXECUTIVE SESSION Chairman Clark said the Board would go into executive session for the purpose of legal advice and personnel. The vote was taken by roll call and the Board unanimously voted to go into executive session for legal advice and personnel at 9:40 a.m. The Board voted unanimously to come out of executive session at 11:30 a.m.
APPOINTMENT OF CLERK FOR THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Chairman Clark called for all those in favor of appointing Melissa Hannah Clerk for the Catoosa County Board of Commissioners do so by saying aye. There was no opposition and the appointment of Ms. Hannah was approved by unanimous consent.
ADJOURNMENT There was no further business, and the Board unanimously agreed to adjourn the meeting at 11:36 a.m.