FANNIN, Ga. — The Fannin County Board of Commissioners held two public hearings and a regular meeting on Feb. 22 that continued discussions on Excise Tax and Alarm Ordinances.

During the board’s Feb. 9 meeting, the first readings for the proposed Excise Tax and Alarm ordinances were held. After input from citizens and county officials, the board brought amended ordinances back to the public for a second hearing.

Debbie Jackson spoke to the board about the changes the final ordinance would make.

The Excise Tax – Rooms, Lodging, & Accommodation Ordinance received no public comment during the first public hearing of the evening. Lodging Tax Administrator Debbie Jackson spoke before the commissioners voted, “The basic two changes that we’re asking for would be to raise the registration fee from $25 per year to $100 when they register, with a renewal fee of $100 [annually],” she noted, “The only other thing would be the collector credit. We’d be doing away with the collector credit, that’s just a potential for abuse.”

The Alarm Ordinance received lengthy commentary during the public hearing. Mr. Bates, who said he works in security, raised his concerns with the ordinance and its effectiveness. “I think we all need to sit down and bring all the companies effected, the actual installing companies in here to talk about this,” he said. The board spoke with Bates about what changes he believed would be the most effective and how to implement them throughout the county. After the public hearing, the commissioners tabled the ordinance for further discussion. Chairman Jamie Hensley explained the decision saying, “We don’t quite have this finished, just to be honest with you. We’re still trying to tweak it up a little bit … It’s a very important thing within our county. We want to make sure that we have it right before we do move forward.”

The Commissioners also took action to correct a leasing error from 2005. The land lease left the county with a long-term lease not only on the property where Fire Station #5 is located, but on the owner’s home as well. The board approved a motion to release interest except on the tract with the fire station.

After receiving additional public comment during the regular meeting, the Board of Commissioners told those in attendance that they were in the process of creating a noise ordinance to address complaints from county residents.