Land Use Talks Continue
Business, Community, Police & Government April 6, 2022
LUMPKIN COUNTY, Ga.- The County Commissioners continued talks about the land-use revisions during the work session and gave the public another opportunity to comment at a public hearing directly after the work session.
The board also was made aware of how the bid process for the inmate health contract is proceeding. The Library also made a request for additional funding allocation.
The County Commissioners have had numerous work sessions and public hearings regarding the land-use revisions. In this meeting Chairman of the Board Chris Dockery reviewed notes the board had taken after a five-hour-long meeting with the public.
The majority of those notes reflected the need for an explanation of how the roads are classified. Also, the different types of business allowed on certain classifications of roads were talked about. All the notes the board had plus any extra they took after listening to the public’s concerns at the most recent public hearing will be given to Planning Director Bruce Georgia and his team.
The people that attended the Public Hearing on the Land-use revisions.
The public expressed concerns about how fast the county is growing. Their chief worrying is that soon Lumpkin County will begin to resemble Dawson County. The public asked the board to take steps to slow down the growth occurring in the county through these revisions. To view the most recent updates on the land revisions and to take the survey visit https://www.lumpkincounty.gov/.
“Nancy Pelosi does not sit on this board, so we are not asking anybody to adopt anything unless we have full disclosure of everything. I think we work really hard to do that, we keep posting our different versions up so people can go through them and we get feedback and input on that,” explained Commissioner District 2 Bobby Mayfield.
Finance Director Abby Branan informed the board of where the bid process for the inmate health contract is so far. At present they have had two companies place bids. A meeting is set for next Monday to interview both companies. There will be four representatives from the Sheriff’s Office with Branan at the meeting. For more information on the inmate health contract process visit https://lumpkin.fetchyournews.com/2022/03/16/the-board-to-seek-bids-for-inmate-health/.
The new Library has requested additional funding to meet the bigger utility cost they now have with the larger building. Due to having more space to heat/cool and light up along with an irrigation system that was not in place at the previous location the facility has a larger utility bill than before.
They are requesting $15,000 for the remainder of the year. The board will vote on this in their regular meeting on Apr. 19 at 6:00 p.m.
Comprehensive plan reminder
Community November 3, 2021
LUMPKIN COUNTY, GA.- The County Manager, Alan Ours, reminded the commissioners and community of the open house for the comprehensive plan on Nov. 9 at 4:00-7:00 p.m.
Ours also reminded the board of the Lumpkin 101 program. Lastly, the Library gave a report to the commissioners for the 2020 and 2021 years.
Every 5 years, every county is required to review the comprehensive plan. This year is that year for Lumpkin County. The comprehensive plan outlines a framework for the development of the area.
The public is able to go and review the plan and make any comments on the plan. There will be a free event at the park and rec building on Nov. 9 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The community is welcome at any time during that period. To get an idea of what the plan looks like view the plan from 2017 at https://www.lumpkincounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/275/Lumpkin-County-Comprehensive-Plan-Update-2017-PDF
There are also public surveys that can be taken at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K726GMS and https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YWMHHXK
Ours brought up the Lumpkin 101 class opportunity at the meeting. The class is a free 12-week program that gives citizens an opportunity to learn how their government works. There are 30 open positions and they are filled on a first come first serve basis. To register for this class, visit https://www.lumpkincounty.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=166
“I wish I had taken this class before I took this job,” stated Chris Dockery, Chairman of the Board.
The Lumpkin County Library also gave a presentation at the meeting. They have moved into a new building which gives them 21,000 sq. ft. of space. The new library opened on June 15, 2020.
Board reviewing the library presentation.
This year they have had 13,798 visits. They currently offer 53 programs and have 1,320 people attending these programs.
In the 2020 year due in part to the shut down they were only able to offer their Gingerbread program for the kids, this year though they’ve had more variety and just recently completed their pumpkin decorating program. The summer reading program had 229 children, 54 teens, and 208 adults enrolled.
When visiting courthouse hill there is also a new addition to the front lobby. The tractor that was donated has been installed. For more information about that visit https://lumpkin.fetchyournews.com/2021/08/04/commissioners-consider-donation-of-antique-tractor/
Donated Tractor in Front Lobby.
UPDATED: Closing and Cancellation info for Lumpkin County
News March 19, 2020
Stay up to date with closing and cancellations in Lumpkin County and keep visiting this article daily to find out the latest closings and cancellations as they are announced.
Closing Info UPDATED 3.19.20 8:00AM
Lumpkin County has created a page for virus updates)
- Lumpkin County Magistrate Court, in compliance with the order entered by The Honorable Harold D. Melton, Chief Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court, will be closing to the public beginning March 18, 2020 until further notice.
- The Lumpkin County Tax Commissioner’s Office is closed to the public. They are happy to assist you over the phone by taking payments or talking you through the online system. If it is absolutely necessary to register your vehicle, they will make an appointment for you.
- The Lumpkin County Animal Shelter is closing to the public. They will be accepting appointments for those that need to visit the shelter.
- Lumpkin County Tax Assessor’s Office – should you feel it necessary to meet in person regarding your appraisal, you will need to call and schedule an appointment. Otherwise, the office staff is handling all other questions via phone.
- Lumpkin County Parks and Recreation activities are suspended until further notice. Facility rentals for gatherings is also suspended until further notice.
- Lumpkin County will not be utilizing Community Service workers through the end of the month. This will be re-evaluated at the end of the month.
- 9th District Opportunity’s office located in the Administration Building will be closing March 18th through March 26th.
- Lumpkin 101 classes suspended until further notice.
- Lumpkin County Library Grand Opening on March 28th has been cancelled.
- Lumpkin County Library will be closing March 16th through March 30th. The library is waiving all fines for materials during the closure. Book drops are closed. As a reminder, Wi-Fi for each branch of the library does reach into the parking lots.
- Lumpkin County Schools will be closed March 16 through March 20.
- Temporary Closure of the Senior Center Out of an abundance of caution, and because the senior population seems to be one of the groups most susceptible to the COVID-19 virus, Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners has taken the pro-active step of temporarily closing the Senior Center. The Senior Center will be temporarily closed beginning March 16 through the end of the month. Our hope is that this will allow the instances of COVID-19 virus to diminish in number, which should reduce exposure to this vulnerable population. Over the next few weeks, we will re-evaluate this decision as the situation unfolds and expectation of reopening the Senior Center on April 1, if the situation allows. During this time, volunteers will still distribute home-delivered meals to clients who are currently receiving this service. Senior Center staff will be checking on clients on a daily basis as well as continuing their practices of deep cleaning the whole building.
Department changes info
- The Lumpkin County Tax Commissioner’s Office reminds citizens that most every items can be handled via an online process. The links can be found on their webpage. There is also a payment drop box at the ADA entrance to the Administration Building. This box can be used for payments or correspondence for this office.
- The Lumpkin County Tax Assessor’s Office reminds citizens that most every issue with their office can be handled via email, standard mail or phone. Their webpage has more detailed information.
- Lumpkin County Magistrate Court reminds citizens that Civil Action questions can be answered by calling the civil court clerk at 706-864-3736. Criminal matters or County Ordinance Violation questions can be answered by calling the criminal court clerk at 706-864-7760.
- The Animal Shelter is no longer accepting walk-ins, they encourage you to call the shelter at 706-867-7297 if you need assistance.
- The Planning Department is limiting access to its office. You will be able to receive assistance via the service window located in the front lobby of their office. They are reminding everyone that they have forms on their webpage that can be used to conduct business and reduce the need to visit their office in person. They will continue to respond to complaints but will limit direct contact.
- The Lumpkin County Fire Marshal’s Office has limited public access to their office. If you need to drop off plans, those should be left in the Planning Department. Plans will be picked up daily. To pay your fees, please visit the Fire Marshall’s page to access the online payment form.
- The County Clerk is limiting access to the office and reminds businesses that Alcohol Excise Tax payments may be paid online or you can mail your checks.
- The Lumpkin County Extension Service has limited access to their office. Please knock on the door, or call, for assistance.
The State of Georgia has announced a hotline that is staffed and ready to answer Coronavirus (COVID-19) questions. Please call 1-844-442-2681.
Hospital info Northeast Georgia Medical Center
What do I do if I feel sick? If you have a fever and cough or difficulty breathing, these steps will help you find the care you need and limit the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in our region:
- Call before you come
- Please call your doctor’s office or an urgent care clinic for advice about where you should go for treatment.
- If you already have an appointment scheduled and have recently traveled to an area affected by Coronavirus, please call the office before you leave your house.
- Call 9-1-1 for emergencies
- Calling 9-1-1 is always the fastest and most efficient way to get proper treatment for medical emergencies.
- Consider staying home and completing an E-Visit
- We have updated our online E-Visits to ask screening questions that may indicate if you have Coronavirus.
- Just visit www.ngpg.org/evisit-info for instructions about how to complete an E-Visit from the comfort of your home.
Are they able to test? NGHS has the ability to coordinate testing at some of our locations. Please call your doctor’s office or urgent care clinic for advice about whether testing is right for you. Recently we implemented a new E-Visit specific to the Coronavirus. Just visit www.ngpg.org/evisit-info for instructions about how to complete an E-Visit from the comfort of your home.
Should I be wearing a mask? It is important for everyone to remember that the CDC does not recommend face masks for the general public who are well as a protection from COVID-19 or other respiratory diseases. If people stockpile masks at their homes out of concern, they could inadvertently prevent healthcare facilities from getting the supplies they need for ill patients and the staff treating those patients. Instead, good hand hygiene – washing hands for at least 20 seconds – is very important and cough etiquette – covering your mouth while you cough or sneeze and then washing hands or using sanitizer– is Highly Recommend
Public Healthline: 8667824584