BLUE RIDGE, GA – The Fannin County Commissioners held their final meeting of the month on Tuesday, September 26, 2017.

County Chairman Stan Helton opened by holding the first of two public readings to change county legislation.

The first piece legislation up for change involves the selling of county equipment that is no longer in use. Currently the county must list this equipment in a local paper and accept bids.
If this amended legislation passes it would give the county the option of selling the equipment online or opening up the possibility of onsite auctions.

The second piece of legislation with a proposed amendment deals with the county budget. Our current legislation states that the budget must be passed at the first public meeting in December of each year.

The proposed change would allow for the commissioners to pass the next year’s budget by the first public meeting in December. This would allow commissioners to pass the budget sooner if all information is finalised.

Neither readings were met with opposition from the public and a second reading is scheduled to take place at the commission’s first regular meeting in October.

Eddie O’Neal, Director of Fannin County Parks and Recreation was present at the meeting and had positive updates to report concerning Fannin County’s After School Program.

The program had received three new enrollees, which brings it to its maximum capacity. Mason Tractor sponsored one of these children and the other two are expected to be sponsored by another local business.

O’Neal informed  the commissioners that all of the counselors had “recently completed CPR training” along with specialized training for working with children.

The After School Program is currently working to receive a grant from KaBOOM!. If awarded, this grant would be used for playground equipment.

Post One Commissioner Earl Johnson was happy to hear the progress of the After School Program.  He expressed that this creates opportunities for children who might not otherwise be able to receive them. He stated, “I’m so glad to hear the After School Program is doing so well. It’s a very good program.”

County Chairman Stan Helton inquired about the Recreational Trail Grant that O’Neal had been looking into. O’Neal responded, “We need to get the land surveyed and get that paperwork started.”

O’Neal confirmed that the grant amount had been raised to $200,000. If the county receives this grant it will go towards walking trails at Horseshoe Bend Park.

Chief Land Development Officer Marie Woody announced that Fannin County had received a grant for scrap tire removal and laid out plans to collect and dispose of the tires.

The grant amount of $15,950 is expected to help the county with the removal of approximately 30,000 tires.

Woody also updated the board with the progress of the county’s condemned properties. The condemned property located on Riverside Lane had been successfully demolished and removed.

The completion of the Riverside Lane project marks the fourth property to be demolished and cleared this year. The other three properties that have previously been cleared are located on Highway 2, Ada Street, and East Street.

The Fannin County Board of Commissioners will hold their next meeting on Tuesday, October 10, 2017.

 

Read more about Fannin County’s Scrap Tire Grant at “Fannin County Awarded Grant for Scrap Tire Removal“.

 

 

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