SPECIAL CALLED MEETING
CATOOSA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
CATOOSA COUNTY FIRE/RESCUE STATION
JULY 10, 2007, 7:00 P.M.
The special called meeting of the Catoosa County Board of Commissioners was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 10, 2007. 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; Dewayne Hill, Commissioner, District Four.
Chairman Clark called the meeting to order and stated the purpose of the special called meeting. Carl Henson, Chief Financial Officer, presented the Board with the proposed budget.
DOT Contract – Colbert Hollow Road/Bridge Project
County Manager Ron Brown presented the DOT contract for the Colbert Hollow Road/Bridge Project. Chairman Clark called for all those in favor of approving the contract do so by saying aye. There was no opposition and the contract was approved by unanimous consent.
DOT Contract – Cherokee Valley and Dietz Road Paving
County Manager Ron Brown presented the DOT contract for the Cherokee Valley and Dietz Road Paving. Chairman Clark called for all those in favor of approving the contract do so by saying aye. There was no opposition and the contract was approved by unanimous consent.
Consolidation of Fire Departments
Chairman Clark addressed the rumors regarding the consolidation of the fire departments. Chairman Clark stated the purpose was not to replace or hurt the current chiefs or volunteers and in no way meant they were doing a bad job but to try and plan for the future and expansion of the fire departments and the County.
Commissioner Ken Marks also addressed the rumors surrounding the fire department consolidation and stated he appreciates all the work of the firemen. Commissioner Marks stated the Board is here to get comments from the citizens and firemen and are not here to hurt but to help.
Commissioner Jim Emberson apologized for the way the firemen found out about the consolidation and stated he thought the information and plans had already been brought to the firemen and fire chiefs. Commissioner Emberson stated due to the growth of the County the consolidation must eventually happen.
The following citizens spoke against consolidation of the fire departments, disapproved the way the information regarding the decision to consolidate was presented to the firemen, questioned how the County plans to fund a consolidated fire department, and feels the fire departments should be the ones to make decisions about their future and what direction it needs to go in:
Ray Johnson
Chuck Gass
Jim Powell
Ronnie Cobb
Alan Crawford
Jim Daly
Willard Wilson
Tommy Eason
Derek Burkhart
Larry Honeycutt
Jim White
Bruce Ballew
Rudy Canalis
Sue Bales
Mike Worley
Johnny Gass
Seth Pierce
Chris Stockburger
Gary McGhea
Steven Henry
Clyde Ingle stated he felt consolidation must happen eventually but there needs to be a plan in place and there should have been a plan in place five years ago. Mr. Ingle stated the County needs to stop paying for fire equipment with SPLOST revenues. Mr. Ingle stated all in all consolidation is the right thing but it must be done the right way.
There was no further business, and upon unanimous consent the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.