The Fannin County Board of Commissioners held its regular meeting on June 23rd 2017.

 

  Chairman Helton opened the meeting with a request to  add new business to the agenda. The addition was a proclamation for foster care month and bids on county employee insurance. The commissioners approved adding the items and they appended it to immediately follow the consent agenda.

 

  Following the addressing of old business public commentary was held. During this item on the agenda Mr. Glen Holland, an Epworth resident, voiced a complaint about a recent property appraisal.

 

  He objected to the increase of his property appraisal, Stating ” My property appraisal went up by $80,000”  He also cited  the people in the tax assessor’s office were inconsistent in getting him an answer as to why it went up and he said they were rude to him.  

 

 Mr. Helton first stated his concern for any rudeness which Mr. Holland may have experienced, and went on to explain  his department has nothing to do with property appraising, it only sets the millage rate.  He then advised him there is a tax assessor’s meeting open to the public, and  it takes place on June 2nd at 2:00 pm in the tax assessor’s office. In addition Helton advised Holland he could voice concerns at the meeting since there is an opportunity for public commentary.  .   

 

  Post One Commissioner Earl Johnson commented on the matter, stating “ I think being treated generously and answered in a respectful manner that should come first” He then went on to explain the objections  he had received that morning saying “ From the barber shop at 9:15 this morning to this evening I’ve heard a lot of the complaints.” He then reiterated that the Board of Commissioners is only responsible to set the millage rate.           

 

  The Commissioners then approved the consent agenda. The items listed on the agenda were: The Fannin County EMA six year projected plan, The Fannin County EMS six year projected plan, and the Fannin County E-911 Center SPLOST Request.  

 

  The next item to be voted on was the county employee insurance.   Finance Director Robin Gazaway announced the bids received from 3 companies:   MSI with 2,177,879, Kevin Panter Insurance with 1,840,954, and Benefit Support Group with 1,741,325.  Based on the bid amounts   Gazaway fully recommended Benefit Support Group.  Helton inquired if both Post Commissioners had been given enough time to decide on the matter.  Both commissioners voiced their agreement and the chairman made a motion to approve Benefit Support Group, motion carried and it passed. The Insurance is set to begin July 1st and be in force for a year.

 

Next on the agenda a proclamation for foster care month was recognized by the Board of Commissioners.

The commissioners moved on to new business and scheduled a workshop to discuss the fire station six year plan. They reconfirmed a special called meeting to be held on May 31st at 5:15 pm. They will discuss awarding bids for a new fire station.  

 

The chairman then asked Marie Woody, in land development, to speak on condemnations on properties which may endanger the public. She advised she sent letters of condemnation out and presented two new letters of condemnation to the board.   Woody also reported there were 12 permits for new homes.

 

Larry Joe Sosebee brought up garbage being tossed on the road, he asked, “What’s to prevent these trucks from half a mile down the road stopping and covering them up then going to the landfill.”   Helton responded, “We just have to do it a step at a time, if the first step we take creates another problem then we’ll have another discussion to address that.”

 

 

  The meeting continued and bids were awarded for the fire department vehicles. Fouts brothers was awarded the bid with no set-backs and a delivery of 180 days. The deal is worked out over six years to match the SPLOST.   It will also be local financing with United Community Bank.  

 

No executive session was needed.

 

  The meeting came to end with Post One Commissioner Earl Johnson introducing the new Fannin County logo which was also unveiled at the meeting.