City Council approves employee bonuses of up to $3,000

City Council, Downtown Blue Ridge
City Council approves bonuses from ARPA funds

FANNIN, Ga. — The Blue Ridge City Council experienced heated debate over a proposed condominium during their Nov. 16 meeting. However, the council also took action on several other issues, including up to three thousand dollar bonuses for city employees.

The American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA, took effect in March of 2021. Since then, the city council had used that money for improvements to the city. Specifically, $300,000 for a Mineral Springs sewer line and $100,000 for work at Mountain Tops. Donna Whitener proposed that the City of Blue Ridge follows the lead of surrounding municipalities, like Gilmer and Fannin County, and use the remaining $145,582 in ARPA funds to provide bonuses to city employees.

The council approved pre-tax bonuses of $3,000 for all full time employees and $500 for all part time employees, a total amount of $133,486. The bonuses from ARPA funds will replace city employees’ Christmas bonus which, as the council pointed out, are based on seniority with a maximum of five hundred dollars.

Water & Wastewater Utilities Director Rebecca Harkins spoke to the council about current efforts to improve the city’s sewer system, saying, “As you all know, we’re currently rehabbing our sewer lift stations … We’re gonna pump everything … right up Industrial Park Rd. … which has really taken a load off the sewer distribution system.” She then explained that a developer was requesting to tie in to the Industrial Park Rd. lift station, which was near capacity. Harkins says she spoke to Plant Supervisor James Weaver about installing a grinder at the pump, “That’s gonna reduce the load on that pump and make it more efficient so that it could handle that extra capacity. The grinder is something that the city would have purchased in that upgrade [anyways].” The developer, Harkins noted, has offered to pay in full for the grinder and its installation. At an estimated total cost of $97,000, including a ten percent contingency, the developer is willing to pay 50 percent upfront, 25 percent when construction begins, and a final 25 percent at completion. “So the city gets their grinder basically for free,” Harkins emphasized, and the council approved.

Also brought up at the meeting, was an upcoming Christmas tradition. Light Up Blue Ridge takes place Nov. 27, 2021, as noted by DDA Chairman Cesar Martinez, “There’s a lot of stuff going on, from elementary school Christmas trees on the boardwalk, to food vendors and people singing and ‘falala-ing’ all around the city. So, hope you all get out there for light up.” The Light Up Blue Ridge Parade begins at 5:30 p.m. At E. Main St and is immediately followed by the lighting of the Great Tree at around 7:00 p.m.

Grant for Green Creek Trail to proceed, new flooring for animal control

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Green Creek Trail

BLUE RIDGE, Ga – The Green Creek Trail grant application was approved by the board of commissioners after tabling the issue for two weeks.

If approved, the grant will provide funds to update the outer walking trail and make it ADA accessible.

The grant would improve the one-mile trail loop around the outer edge of the old campground, the inner trails are not included. The kiosks and the trailhead are part of the improvements and ramps as well as slopes would need to be built for handicapped individuals.

The trail is already asphalt.

Signage and maintenance plan would be a part of the updates too. The road department and recreation department now collaborate on maintenance of the area.

The maximum grant amount is $200,000 and a grant match is required by the county of at least 20 percent. Gribble recommended Fannin commit to a $50,000 match. It’s a reimbursement grant as well so the county would need to budget the $250,000 in the 2023 year and will receive $200,000 back after completing the process.

SPLOST and tourism project development fund could potentially be used to fund the project.

Post Two Glenn Patterson asked if additional patrols could drive through the Green Creek Trail area. Some of the calls he received about Green Creek Trail included concerned citizens who use the trail and often find beer cans discarded.

Chairman Jamie Hensley added that they can add a no alcohol sign at Green Creek. The trail is supposed to be closed at night, but the gate in the area isn’t typically closed at night.

Animal Control Updates

Animal control is in the midst of researching new software to update processes. The issue of purchasing new software was tabled for another two weeks.

New flooring options for the animal control facility are also being considered for $21,779. This would include the kennels, back area, but not the office area. The new flooring would assist with the drainage issue and appears to be a durable option. It also comes with a warranty.

Hensley believed the funds could come from the animal control budget for the year.

The animal control facility would be closed for four days to install the new flooring. During that time, the county would rely on rescues to house the animals until they could move back into the facility. Fannin’s already been in talks with some rescues.

The board approved the purchase.

American Rescue Act Funds for Elected Officials

The commissioners approved providing American Rescue Act funds (ARP) to elected officials in Fannin County, excluding the commissioners. They previously provided funds to government employees who weren’t elected.

“Elected officials are really the ones who have to make everything happen,” Hensley explained. “At a time where we’re short-handed, they have to shift things around to make the service we provide to our citizens [possible].”

It would affect around six or seven elected officials.

Post One Johnny Scearce and Post Two Glenn Patterson agreed with the move.

Patterson asked that the funds be made optional in case someone didn’t want to take the money.

The amounts for the elected officials will be presented at the next meeting.

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