Commissioners Honor 2-Time State Wrestling Champ
News April 19, 2017
DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners honored two-time state wrestling champion Zach Matthews of Lumpkin County High School at Tuesday’s meeting by presenting a proclamation and declaring April 18 as Zach Matthews Day.
Commissioners also approved the purchase of a module that will help first responders locate the precise coordinates of a 911 caller even when the caller can’t tell 911 where he/she is. E-911 Director Mike Stapleton told commissioners a high percentage of 911 calls originate from cell phones when the caller is away from home. While most callers have a general idea of where they are coming from and going to they cannot provide their exact location.
The technology available from Zuercher allows 911 to send the caller a text with a link in it. The caller will then click on the link and the location information in the phone will send their exact coordinates to the 911 call center.
This information will be extremely helpful for traffic accidents, lost persons, medical problems, and other issues.
Commissioners also approved several resolutions, including:
- Abandonment of Shadowstone Subdivision roads;
- Budget amendment requested by the Sheriff’s Office Special Services;
- Amendment of the Animal Control Ordinance
- Administrative changes to the Hotel/Motel Ordinance;
- Extension of the moratorium on approval of additional signs;
- Appointing Larry Charles to the Hospital Authority;
Contracts and agreements approved by the Board include:
- IGA with the City of Dahlonega for municipal election;
- Addendum to the agreement with Legacy Link to provide nutrition program services;
- Waiver of the bid bond relative to the Administration Building Window Replacement Bid;
- Enotah Judicial Circuit budget;
- GDOT Wimpy Airport Tree Removal reimbursement;
- Ratification of the County Manager Contract;
- Cooperative Law Enforcement Annual Operating and Financial Plan;
- Bachmann & Associates Architectural Contract (Commissioner Rhett Stringer opposed).
Commissioners also approved a quit claim deed for the Ralph Dodd property at 575 Grindle Road, a Lottie Ledford commemorative plaque for Fire Station 2 and a vehicle replacement requested by the Sheriff’s Office.
BOC to Vote on New Digital Communication System
News March 16, 2017
DAHLONEGA, Ga. — The Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners will hold a work session Tuesday March 21, at 5:30 p.m. to be followed immediately by a regular voting meeting in the County Administration Building, 99 Courthouse Hill.
Key items to be discussed during the work session include the purchase and installation of a digital radio system for Public Safety, a bid by Colditz Trucking, Inc. for asphalt and resurfacing of county roads under a Local Maintenance Improvement Grant (LMIG) and the replacement of the Roy Grindle Road bridge.
The current VHF analog radio system has numerous dead spots throughout the county and continued use could lead to parts failure and loss of radio service that could put public safety workers in danger. Build out cost for the Mobil Communications digital system is $390,000.
The system would operate digital transmitters at the current Crown Mountain Black Mountain Communications sites and add receiving sites at Station 6 in the Nimblewill area, the new water tower near the intersection of Burnt Stand and Auraria and the Hester Valley area near Turner’s
Colditz was the low bidder on the LMIG project with a bid of $679,175.78. GDOT has awarded the county $510,614.09 in funding and the county would be responsible for $168,561.69.
Commissioners must also decide on a request by Georgia Department of Transportation for a letter of support for replacement of the Roy Grindle Road bridge.
The county would be responsible for a minimum of $10,000 which is not in the current budget, but the project will not be ready for construction for at least two years and could be included in the 2019 budget. The standard replacement bridge is 24’ wide with approximately 80’ of right of way. The bridge is currently 30’ wide so an additional 50 feet of right of way will be required for approximately 200 to 300 feet.
Items discussed in the work session will be voted on during the regular meeting.
Commissioners are also expected to issue several proclamations including declaring April as Child Abuse Awareness Month, LifeLink National Donate to Life Month and recognition of the county’s 12 and under girls basketball team.
Coached by Wendy and Anthony Tatum, the 12U Indians girls basketball team became the first Lumpkin County team to win the Class C State Championship.
Commissioners to Present Proposed Budget Tuesday
News June 2, 2017
DAHLOEGA, Ga. — A complete review of the proposed 2018 budget is on the agenda for the Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday. The work session will begin at 4 p.m. to be followed immediately by the regular voting meeting.
Commissioners will also consider the surplus of a number of county-owned assets that have outlived their usefulness. The list of surplus items includes a 2002 Chevy 1500 pickup, 1996 Ford Ambulance, a Cat Bulldozer, John Deere Bulldozer and John Deere Tractor Model 5500.
Historically, surplus items have been sold via GovDeals, an online auction site. Each County Department or Constitutional Officer has the opportunity to review the items to see if their respective department/office has use of any item prior to placement on the surplus list.
Commissioners will decide on approval of a five=year contract with Government Revenue Services to provide revenue audit services at a cost of $215,000 as well as possible changes to the Employee Handbook and Civil Service Policy and the county’s grant policies and procedures.
The board will also vote on a contract with AEM, Inc. to provide post closure monitoring of the Barow Road Landfill. AEM holds the current contract which costs the county $22,000. AEM’s new bid came in at $250.00 below the current contract.
County Agrees to Service Delivery Strategy With City
Business February 8, 2017
DAHLONEGA, Ga.– Cumming Attorney Dana Miles addressed the Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners Tuesday to commend county and city officials for reaching an amicable accord on the Service Delivery Strategy Agreement (SDSA).
Miles was the neutral intermediary who facilitated the meetings between Chairman Chris Dockery and City Manager Bill Schmid that led to the agreement. Dockery was expected to sign the final agreement Wednesday.
Under the SDSA, the city will pay the county the sum of $50,000 annually for the capital acquisition costs of a ladder truck and supplementary fire services provided by the county to the incorporated area of the city.
The city also will pay the county $8,000 annually for supplemental law enforcement expenses incurred by the county by virtue of the city’s use of off-duty deputies from the Sheriffs Office. That payment shall be in addition to the direct payments by the city to the deputies. The city will provide liability insurance coverage for those deputies assigned to city duties. The city and sheriff may agree in writing to additional supplemental law enforcement services during the term of the agreement with the consent of the county.
The SDSA also calls for the city to pay the county from amounts collected by the City’s Municipal Court the l0 percent court add-on fee designated by state statute for “jail construction and staffing.”
Commissioners also agreed to submit a request for a third extension of the $500,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) first applied for in order to secure funding necessary to make certain waterline improvements.
The grant period was scheduled for Sept. 5, 2014 and was to have concluded on Sept 5, 2016.
In August 2016, the county asked for and received a 90 day extension from the Department of Community Affairs to ensure sufficient time to close the grant. In November 2016, the County submitted a second request to DCA to extend the grant period by thirty days in order to draw the remaining funds available in the project budget. DCA approved that one also. This extension request is for 60 days.
Commissioners to approve roads to be resurfaced in 2020 Tuesday
News August 19, 2019
DAHLONEGA, Ga. –The Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners is expected to review and approve the list of roads to be resurfaced for the FY 2020 paving season when they meet in a voting session Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Each year staff scores several roads to rank the roads for resurfacing. The higher a road scores, the more in need of resurfacing it is. For 2020, staff scored 42 roads. Of the roads scored 33 scored above 20 and a cost was estimated on these roads. The total cost to resurface all the roads is estimated at $2,903,149.
Roads rated to be in the most need of resurfacing include Winters Mountain Road from SR 52 to end of asphalt, Jim Grizzle from SR 52 to Nimblewill Church Road, Chester Road from Wesley Chapel to the county line and Ben West from Mill Creek Road to the bridge.
Commissioners are also expected to appoint a voting delegate to cast the county’s vote on matters coming before the business session of the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) Legislative Leadership Conference. and a member of the Veterans Affairs Committee.
Other appointments commissioners will consider include Peter Regan and Dennis Hoover to the Dahlonega Lumpkin County Chamber and Visitors Bureau Interim Tourism Board and Eddy Harris to the Veterans Affairs Committee.
Commissioners will also consider updating the speed zone ordinance.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Commissioners to hear department budget requests Friday
News June 26, 2019
DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Lumpkin County Government will kick off the 2020 budgeting process Friday (June 28) at 9 a.m. when department directors present their budget requests to county commissioners.
The departments that will present on Friday include the Airport Authority, Coroner, Animal Shelter, Elections, Parks and Recreation, Tax Assessor, Planning Department, County Manager and Extension Office.
Elections and Voter Registrations, Tax Assessors and Animal Control offices will request commissioners to approve the hiring of new employees.
The first public hearing on the budget is scheduled for Aug. 6. If a tax increase above the rollback rate is anticipated, additional public hearings will be held on Aug. 8 and Aug. 20.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Lumpkin BOC replaces Windstream with NGN
News January 23, 2019
DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Lumpkin County Government is done with Windstream. Following complaints that ranged from high charges to internet connectivity issues, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to replace Windstream as its phone and DSL service provider with North Georgia Network.
Commissioners say the county’s contract IT administrator has worked with Windstream and has conducted numerous tests based upon the information provided by Windstream and has discovered that even during the night or early in the morning when there is limited usage of the county’s network, there is an issue with the bandwidth and the ability to have a stable connection.
There are also severe issues with the services on Red Oak Flats Road that cause the phone and internet connectivity to drop as much as eight times a day.
In December 2018, the county received a bill for over $11,000 in long distance charges for calls routed through AT&T for long distance. This same issue occurred in July and Windstream provided a credit for those charges but failed to issue a credit for the December charges.
In searching for a solution to the network and phone issues being faced by the county, staff asked its IT administrator to reach out to NGN to see if they could provide services to the county. After several meetings it was determined that NGN could provide not only internet service to the county but PRI/phone service to the majority of our facilities.
Lumpkin County currently pays Windstream $8,500 a month for phone service, (ten thousand minutes of long distance) and internet service. NGN can provide more dedicated internet, the dedicated IP addresses needed, the PRI functions for the phone and ninety-two thousand long distance minutes for $5,550 a month.
There is a one-time cost of $5,140. This would be recouped in approximately two months. The county would not be able to move every phone line as NGN is not in all areas but would be able to move the bulk and save approximately $3,000 a month. The project would be completed in a three-phase approach. The internet connection would be upgraded at the Justice Center and Administration Building.
Next, the phone system would be migrated followed by the off-site locations that could be served by NGN.
The upgrade in the internet to a more stable platform is also expected to provide some relief to operations on Red Oak Flats until such time the phone system can be fully migrated.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Stringer and Moran discuss goals for upcoming term
Business November 13, 2018
LUMPKIN, GA
Rhett Stringer is re-elected for a second term in the Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners District 3 seat, beating his opponent, Peri Lynn Gordon, and Jeff Moran wins the Lumpkin County BOC District 4 seat over Teresa Gay in Tuesday’s election.
Stringer told Fetch Your News that his main goal for the upcoming term is, “To see the board effectively and efficiently manage the growth coming our way while also being able to answer increased demand for county services, without raising property taxes.” He also explained that he plans to do what he can to “better the employees of the county, while not hitting the landowners anymore on property tax.”
Jeff Moran
Moran told FYN, that the most important goal he hopes to achieve during his term is, “To increase the economic development within the county.” He further explained that, “When we [LC citizens] are successful in increasing commercial and industrial growth in focused areas, we can create a sustainable, long term, revenue source, which will help in offsetting the demand for property taxes.”
Stringer is currently serving as the BOC representative on the Water Authority Committee, which he plans to continue. Moran stated he is, “Willing to serve in whatever capacity the Chairman feels I would be best suited for, based on my background, education, and interests…I would be very interested in serving one of the committees that have to do with planning, development, or building, because it directly relates to my desire to effectively manage this County’s inevitable growth and increase economic development.”
“I really enjoy being a Commissioner and appreciate the citizens of Lumpkin County “hiring” me to do the job. I promise to give my all and follow my conscience and convictions to do the best job for our entire community.”
-R.Stringer
With the effective management and planning of our inevitable growth, we can achieve economic development while still maintaining the charm of Dahlonega and preserving what is great about Lumpkin County.”
-J.Moran
Preview of upcoming City Council meeting
Police & Government, Politics September 18, 2018
LUMPKIN CO., GA
The Lumpkin County officials will discuss Ordinance 2018‐16 during September’s City Council meeting.
The ordinance will be to amend Ordinance 77‐1, Chapter 32: Traffic, Article II: Stopping, Standing and Parking, Division 1: Generally, Section 32‐29: Violations. The amendment could result in a change to the Parking Violation Fee Schedule.
Preview of the work session agenda
Other discussion topics scheduled for Thursday’s meeting include: community development, Key Club Little Free Library, the Community Helping Place, Historic Preservation Commission, and tourism promotion services.
The meeting will be held on Thursday, September 20 at 4pm.
FetchYourNews.com attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month for ad server. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and has between 15,000 to 60,000 per week Facebook page reach. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or visit [email protected]
Lumpkin County Board Of Education On Millage Rate
News August 14, 2018LUMPKIN CO., GA
Lumpkin County Board of Education members voted to keep the current millage rate of 16.819 during the BOE meeting on Monday, August 13, instead of accepting a rollback millage rate of 16.321, which will result in a property tax increase for Lumpkin County.
Before the board held the vote, Superintendent Dr. Robert Brown explained that the millage rate is based on anticipated revenue for 2019. By setting the millage rate at 16.819 instead of the rate of 16.321, Brown expects to raise an additional $400,000. He asserted that the additional anticipated funds would allow Lumpkin County teachers, as well as any other certified school employee, to receive what he described as a “much needed raise.”
Brown also pointed out that Lumpkin County’s current property values are comparable to the 2013 values; the declining digest has stabilized, and even increased, over the past couple of years. Since the millage rate is relative to property values, property taxes will increase as well. He estimated that it will cost roughly $50 per every $100,000 of Fair Market Value of the whole, “the reason that your property taxes will be higher, is because your property has been assessed at a higher value. Property values go up, millage stays the same, that’s where the increase comes from.”
Allison Martin, a Lumpkin County resident, expressed her concern over the tax increase, and how it will impact residents who do not qualify for the senior tax exemption.
Lumpkin County Board of Education members from left to right: Craig Poore, Lynn Sylvester, Bobby Self, Dr. Rob Brown, and Jim McClure.
“Your decision to go above the rollback rate is another $65 for our family, just for the 4.98 mil, which does not include the shift for the [senior tax] exemption…those of us in the under 65 [age group] cannot continue to finance a failing tax system. Please do not raise our taxes.”
Lumpkin County Commissioner Bobby Mayfield spoke in favor of the millage rate increase because, he said, the pay raise will help educators to “manage the cost of living.” He also explained that the pay raise will make Lumpkin Schools more competitive in comparison to surrounding counties when hiring and keeping educators.
Another Lumpkin County resident, who is a former special education teacher, questioned if the school board has explored alternative solutions to raise revenues for the schools, “I wonder why there’s never any idea of trying another way to raise revenue,” she asked. She went on to suggest a marketing campaign that would encourage residents who qualify to, “donate some of their tax exemption back to the school system”.
Board members present include: Craig Poore, Lynn Sylvester, Bobby Self, Dr. Brown, and Jim McClure.
FetchYourNews.com attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month for ad server. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and has between 15,000 to 60,000 per week Facebook page reach. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or visit [email protected]
Grindle brings experience, name recognition, likability to campaign for Board of Commissioners
News June 5, 2018
FetchYourNews will post a series of profile articles on both Republican candidates in the July 26 runoff for the District 4 seat on the Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners. This is the second in that series. We will also feature the Democrat candidate before the November general election.
DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Political consultants will tell you that a candidate’s experience, name recognition and likeability are key elements in a political campaign. Clarence Grindle, a lifelong resident of Lumpkin County, checks every one of those boxes.
Grindle, 76, defeated Jeff Moran by a paper-thin margin of 49 votes in the general primary election last month but failed to get enough votes to avoid a July runoff. Grindle received 1,005 votes to Moran’s 956.
Experience: Grindle served two terms on the Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners until being defeated by Bob Pullen in 2014. In a phone interview Monday, Grindle said the Board accomplished a good bit during his terms, including the completion of the courthouse and the addition of ball fields, fencing, restrooms and a conference center at Yahoola Creek Park.
“I’m hoping my experience in serving eight years on the Board will be a factor,” Grindle said.
Name recognition: It could be reasonably argued that Grindle, who has run Grindle’s Barber Shop for nearly half a century, is the most recognizable person in the county. Only the newest of newcomers (men, that is) have not sat in his barber’s chair.
Likeability: You don’t last 50 years as a small-town barber without being friendly and outgoing. Grindle is kind even when talking about his opponent. “I only met him two or three weeks ago,” he said. “He seems like a really nice fellow. I don’t have anything against him.”
If elected, Grindle will be 80 years old when his term in office ends, but he said he does not see that as a negative. “Not at all. I do everything now that I have done since I was 18 years old,” he added.
A graduate of Lumpkin County High School, he has lived in Lumpkin County his whole life and enjoys the small-town charm, but he understands that growth is inevitable. Still, his desire is to attract more industry without destroying the town’s character.
To that end, Grindle wants to address the problem of litter. He said he would like to propose a plan that would emphasize education, enforcement and prevention in an effort to keep the county clean.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Board of Commissioners will review land use plan for short-term vacation rentals at today’s meeting
News February 6, 2018
DAHLONEGA, Ga. – The Lumpkin County Planning Commission will ask commissioners for guidance in making proposed revisions to the county’s land use plan that regulates small-lodging, short-term vacation rentals when the Board of Commissioners holds its working session Tuesday, Feb. 6, at 4 p.m.
Planning Commission members say they have received an increasing number of requests for variances to the land use plan which requires a minimum of two acres to operate a small-lodging, short-term vacation rental business.
In three years, the commission has received 20 requests for variances on property less than two acres and all have been approved without opposition. However, planning staff reports that recently, residents of two subdivisions have voiced opposition to requests and another request is on the Planning Commission agenda in February in one of the subdivisions that has voiced opposition.
Commissioners will also consider a resolution to pay per diem to the chairman and members of the Lumpkin County Planning Commission in the amount of $100 and $75 per meeting. In presenting the resolution for consideration, staff queried other Georgia municipalities to determine the average amount of per diem paid. Dawson, White, Hall and Forsyth counties pay an average of $94 per meeting.
The board will consider a request to waive late penalties, interest and non-filing fees in the amount of $2,304.95 due for the months of March through October 2017 for the Barefoot Hill Hotel, formerly Barefoot Lodge and Hiker Hostel.
Commissioners will also discuss adoption of the 2018 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) Work Plan, an annual guide for the use of funds approved by the board based on the program approved by voters.
Commissioners will also discuss the appointment of members to the library board, hospital authority, public building authority, development authority, joint development authority of Lumpkin, White and Dawson counties, Upper Etowah River Alliance and the audit committee.
County contracts to be discussed include the lease for the Adult Learning Center, disaster debris removal, Canoe Georgia, Inc., canoe launch with Chestatee River Adventures and probation management services for Magistrate, Probate and Superior Court.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Lumpkin County Tax Commissioner announces retirement in 2020
Featured, Politics July 30, 2019
LUMPKIN CO., GA
Lumpkin County Tax Commissioner, Rachel Pruitt, has announced that she will retire from her position as Tax Commissioner once the 2019 term has ended.
After working in the Tax Commissioner’s office for 30 years, and serving as the Lumpkin County Tax Commissioner since 2009, Pruitt told Fetch Your News that it was “time to turn the reins over;” she also expressed her gratitude towards Lumpkin County for electing her to serve as their tax commissioner for the past decade in an interview with FYN, ” I have really enjoyed serving Lumpkin County as their Tax Commissioner and I hope I have made them proud and are leaving them with a good legacy. Helping taxpayers with payment plans to pay their property taxes or helping them with their complex registrations issues makes me feel that I have served them well, with a true Servants Heart.”
Pruitt said her most important accomplishment since being elected tax commissioner was succeeding in increasing the tax collection rate up, “We succeeded and we have kept the yearly collection rate in all future years at a 99 % rate or better.”
So far, there is at least one candidate who plans on running for Pruitt’s position in 2020 – Mike Young. He currently works in the tax commissioner’s office and he has Pruitt’s full support, ”I have been training him in all aspects of the office, and there is a lot to learn. He has my full support [running for tax commissioner] and I wish him well.”
FetchYourNews.com attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month for ad server. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and has between 15,000 to 60,000 per week Facebook page reach. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or visit [email protected]
Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners meets today
News June 18, 2019
DAHLONEGA, Ga. — The Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the Larmon Forks Road Abandonment today (June 18) at 5:15 p.m. in the County Administration Building, followed by a work session at 5:30 and the regular meeting at 6 p.m.
Items on the work session agenda include:
Yahoola Creek Reservoir Property Study Committee Term Extension;
Georgia Heritage Grant Program;
Update Purchasing Policy;
Abandonment of Larmon Forks Road ;
Revision to Chapter 26, Land Development – Lumpkin County Code of Ordinances;
Intergovernmental agreement agreement to Secure Payment of Taxable Industrial Revenue Bonds for the StruXure Outdoor, Inc. Project;
Short-Term Moratorium on Development within the Gateway Corridor.
Contracts and agreements to be discussed include:
Enotah Public Defender Indigent Defense Contract – City;
Enotah Public Defender Indigent Defense Contract – Four Counties;
Medical Director – Emergency Services – Dr. Jack Freeman;
ACCG-IRMA Property & Liability Insurance Renewal;
Judicial Center/Library Lighting.
Items on the regular meeting agenda include:
Yahoola Creek Reservoir Property Study Committee Term Extension;
Georgia Heritage Grant Program;
Update Purchasing Policy;
Abandonment of Larmon Forks Road (Public Works Director Larry Reiter);
Revision to Chapter 26, Land Development – Lumpkin County Code of Ordinances;
Intergovernmental agreement to secure payment of taxable industrial revenue bonds for the StruXure Outdoor, Inc.;
Short-Term Moratorium on Development within the Gateway Corridor;
Other items on the regular meeting agenda include:
Special Event Permit request for letter – Community Helping Place Annual Gold Party Fundraiser;
Consideration of Termination of Etowah Water Authority & Lumpkin County Agreement;
Consideration of Enotah Judicial Circuit Budget.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
DAHLONEGA, Ga. — The Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners took a deep dive into the future last week engaged in a discussion about planning the Hwy. 400 Gateway Corridor. But that was just the start of a process that is expected to continue for many months.
Tuesday, that discussion continues when commissioners hold a work session starting at 4 p.m. in the Lumpkin County Administration Building.
During last week’s meeting, it was determined that staff should contact the Carl Vincent Institute to help develop a questionnaire for commissioners to complete. There also will be public hearings to schedule so citizens can ask questions and offer suggestions.
There is no money budgeted in Planning’s 2019 operating budget to cover the expense of a consultant to revise the land use code. Should the Board decide to proceed with this project, there are several options.
The Board could choose to fund this expense from the fund balance. It could choose to loan the money from the general fund to the planning fund and levy the taxes in the 2020 budget to repay the general fund. Or, the Board could direct staff to pay directly from the planning fund and utilize fund balance from the Planning Fund. There are sufficient reserves to cover this expense.
Items to be considered under the Resolutions portion of the agenda, include:
- The Cannery Building Resolution;
- The reappointment of members to the Park and Recreation Citizens Advisory Board;
- Revisions to Chapter 10 – Buildings and Building Regulations;
- Revisions to Chapter 30 – Manufactured & Mobile Homes Regulations;
- Revisions to Chapter 40 – Planning & Development Regulations;
- Revisions to Chapter 26 – Parking & Loading Requirements;
- Senate Bill 371 Resolution (Finance Director Allison Martin);
- Resolution to Revise Road Acceptance Application Procedure for Existing Roads.
Items to be discussed under Contracts/Agreements, include:
- Veterans Affairs Loan of Revolutionary War Prints;
- Disaster Debris Removal & Disposal Contract;
Items to be discussed under Other Items include:
- Recycle Agreement;
- Alcoholic Beverage License;
- John Davis Property Lease – Recycling Bins;
- LMIG Asphalt Resurfacing Bid Award.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
BOC presents awards to those who have made a positive contribution to Lumpkin County
News February 27, 2019
DAHLONEGA, Ga. – The Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners presented a number of awards during the regular meeting Wednesday to people who have made a significant, positive difference within their community.
Commission Chairman Chris Dockery read a resolution to honor the Fowler family for the donation of a Lund Hospital Cardiac Arrest System (LUCAS). Rob Fowler presented the gift to Lumpkin County on behalf of his late father Bob Fowler, Sr. The LUCAS device provides external cardiac compression to patients suffering cardiac arrest.
In accepting the award, Fowler said, “That device can make a huge difference in cardiac survival while transporting someone from Lumpkin County to an area hospital so we’re proud to be a part of that.”
Commissioners also recognized Employees of the Year in three departments. James Lord was chosen for his work in Emergency Services. Lord has worked for Lumpkin County for 30 years. Gabriel Castillo was selected for his work in the Sheriff’s Office and Wayne Marshall was chosen for his effort in Animal Control.
The Board then approved contracts to the law firm of Blasingame, Burch, Garrard and Ashley to represent the county in a potential class action law suit against contributors to the opioid addiction crisis, Mauldin and Jenkins to perform the county audit and Capital Accounts to collect unpaid fees due the Parks and Recreation Department.
The Board also approved:
- An addendum to the Legacy Link contract for senior center operations and the Meals on Wheels Program;
- Renewal of a contract with Agape Food Service & Catering, Inc. which has provided an inmate catering service for prisoners at the Lumpkin County Detention Center since 2009;
- The appointment of reappointment of members to the Audit Committee
- The appointment of Donna Minnich and John Gaston to the Development Authority;
- The appointment of John Gaston to the Water and Sewer Authority;
- The surplus of no-longer needed or used items recommended for sale on GovDeals.com;
- A request to include three county roads – Nimblecrest Way, West Woods Drive and West Woods Way — for acceptance into the county’s road maintenance system;
- A building modification request by EMA Director David Wimpy to close one bay of Fire Station No. 1 to enlarge the Emergency Operations Center;
- A tax refund request filed by Kingwood Dahlonega International Resort.
Commissioners tabled a request by James G. Cambron for annexation of his property into the City of Dahlonega.
(Photo front row from left: Michael Joiner, Colton Seckinger, Rob Fowler, Leslie Fowler and Bridget Rigby. Back row Commissioners Jeff Moran, Bob Mayfield, David Miller, Chairman Chris Dockery and Rhett Stringer).
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