Commissioners approve FY21 Financial Report

Board of Commissioners
BOC approve alarm ordinance

FANNIN COUNTY, Ga. — The Fannin County Board of Commissioners approved the 2021 fiscal year audit and budget adjustments and the final draft of Fannin County’s Annual Financial Report during their latest meeting.

Chairman Jamie Hensley briefly explained the financial report and audit, emphasizing notable portions.
He first explained that the budget adjustments were mostly made up of salary changes, specifically noting a 3% salary increase and ARPA compensation that was given to county employees.

Hensley then explained that uncertainty from the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020 led to the “flat” budget for the fiscal year of 2021. He noted that the county made a conservative estimate of revenues, accounting only for property taxes. Despite that, Hensley said the county received more than anticipated: “The general fund increased in fund balance by a little over six million dollars.”

Commissioner Johnny Scearce, who attended the meeting online, said he was “very happy with it.”
“We don’t know what tomorrow is, it’s kind of an uncertain time. So it’s good to have a little cushion,” Commissioner Glenn Patterson followed. He also mentioned two upcoming projects for the county, referring to two recent agreements between the Fannin County Board of Commissioners and other governmental bodies. One will bring a free-standing library to the county, and the other will create an improved recreation center for both county and city residents. Patterson called the projects “good things for Fannin County,” adding, “and we need some funds to make that happen.”

The only other action item on the board’s agenda was the approval of a variance request. The commissioners approved the request, from Fred Glennon and Helen Johnstone, made to place a garage on property off of Highland Gap Road. During the public commentary portion of the meeting, the commissioners also heard from county residents about development and traffic concerns. Expressing the board’s interest in responding to growth in the county, Chairman Hensley told one commentator: “Whether anybody likes it or not, change is inevitable. It’s going to happen. It’s how we manage it.” He continued, “We’re fairly young in our seats. We’re trying to find those answers as quickly as possible.”

Commissioners proclaim Mental Health Awareness Month

Board of Commissioners, Community
Mental Health Awareness Month

FANNIN COUNTY, Ga. — The Fannin County Board of Commissioners proclaimed the month of May as Mental Health Awareness Month, with representatives from Fannin County Family Connection in attendance. The board also received an update on the city park agreement recently signed by the board and the Blue Ridge City Council.

City park

The Fannin County Recreation Complex at Blue Ridge City Park is already being prepared for improvement projects.

Recreation Director Eddie O’Neal first told the commissioners that an advisory board will hold their first meeting on May 12, 2022. The board will include Blue Ridge City Council members Angie Arp and Christy Kay, Director O’Neal, Fannin County Parks and Recreation Board member Cline Bowers, Leadership Fannin Steering Committee Coordinator Christie Gribble, and Commissioner Johnny Scearce. The newly created board will help oversee the upcoming improvements to the park, now named the Fannin County Recreation Complex at the Blue Ridge City Park. “We’re trying to give everybody in the county and the city an opportunity to have a really nice park,” Commissioner Scearce said.

O’Neal noted that work on the park has already begun. He said the playground equipment will be replaced with ADA compliant equipment by the end of 2022 and the new pool and splash pad facility should be open by the summer of 2024. According to O’Neal, the county will also continue to honor existing contracts between the school system and the city of Blue Ridge, that allows school sports teams to play at the park.

Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental Health Awareness MonthRepresentatives from Fannin County Family Connection were in attendance at the meeting to see the board proclaim May 2022 as Mental Health Awareness Month. Anna Speessen, Chair of the Mental Health Strategy Team, read the proclamation before it was signed by the commissioners. In part, the proclamation read: “Whereas prevention is an effective way to reduce the burden of mental health conditions, and there is strong research that animal companionship, humor, spirituality, religion, recreation, social connections, and work life balance can help all Americans protect their health and well-being.”

Speessen continued, “Whereas every citizen and community can make a difference in helping end the silence and stigma that for too long has surrounded mental illness and discouraged people from getting help.” Chairman Jamie Hensley thanked the group while signing the proclamation for the second time, saying, “We want to thank y’all for everything that y’all do for us and for this community.”

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