DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Lumpkin County commissioners will elect a new vice chairman and set qualifying fees for candidates who plan to run in the 2020 election when they meet in the first work session of the New Year Tuesday (Jan. 7) at 4 p.m. in the County Administration Building, 99 Courthouse Hill.

Every election year, the governing authority of each county must fix and publish the qualifying fee for each county office to be filled in the upcoming primary or general election. Commissioners will consider four options that will be presented.

Commissioners will also consider approval of the audit engagement letter for Mauldin & Jenkins. The letter identifies the applicable financial reporting framework, single audit standards and the expected form and content of auditor’s report. The fee for 2019 is $50,000 for the base audit and $1,500 for a single audit since the county’s federal awards exceeded $75,000. The amount is included in the 2020 budget and represents a savings of $22,500 to the county.

The adoption of the county’s short-term rental program has created a need for a compliance monitoring service. Staff has recommended commissioners contract with Host Compliance, LLC at a cost of $21,470.

The Georgia Broadband Initiative supports programs aimed at delivering the community improvement projects extending reliable, high-speed internet access to even the most difficult-to-serve citizens, schools, and businesses. In order to become eligible for broadband grant funding, commissioners will consider adoption of the Broadband Ready Community Ordinance.

Other agenda items to be considered include:

A joint proclamation between the City of Dahlonega and Lumpkin County regarding the Chamber of Commerce outgoing Board Chairman Brandy Thomas;

Appointment of a member to the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee;

A letter from the Lumpkin County Water & Sewerage Authority requesting the Board of Commissioners reinstitute standards for water supply systems previously adopted in 2002.

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