The Tri-County Journal
& Chattahoochee Chronicle
PO Box 850, 71 Webb Lane
Buena Vista, GA 31803
229-649-6397
tjournal@alltel.net

By PETRA JONES
   Members of the Marion County Commission discussed a range of issues during their recent regular monthly meeting. Commissioners agreed to have Kay Hagler look into the possibility of a grant to improve the airport, came to agreement on a priority list for the resurfacing of roads, listened to citizen input about the soon-to-start curbside garbage service, and dealt with various other items.
Possible Airport Expansion
   Kay Hagler came before the Board with a proposal from Air Georgia Initiative Equity Program. This program helps to bring rural airports up to date, and helps with the economic development of the county. The grants, if awarded, would match county funds (75 percent Air Georgia and 25 percent from the county). Hagler asked commissioners if she should proceed with the grant application process.
   At this time, commissioners are only being asked to consider the available grants and improvements. The first round of applications is due September 29, and Hagler would like to proceed with the grant applications. At this time, Taylor County and Montezuma are moving forward with the grant process. Hagler also informed commissioners that grant money is available to make land acquisitions to move the current ball fields. Commissioner Neal stated that this was a win-win situation for everyone. The economy would be helped by having a usable airport, and the recreation fields could be moved and updated. Commissioner Hayes said he was looking forward to this endeavor, which he sees as a great project, for the entire community. A motion passed to proceed with the Air Georgia initiative.
Road Project List
The LARP (Local Assistance Road Project) priority list was established. The commissioners set the priority list for the following roads to be resurfaced as funding is available. This list was compiled after much discussion by all commissioners, and based upon need. The roads are scheduled to be resurfaced in the following order: Pineville Road, Ft. Perry Road, Barwick Road and Moores Chapel Road. This information will be presented to the state DOT for their final decision.
Garbage Service
   A number of citizens were present at this month’s meeting to voice concerns about the curbside garbage pick-up system that will start in the near future. Commissioners heard from people who were both for and against the service.
   Bryant Vaughn came before the board stating his opinion that the service puts a burden on the poor. Jim Cossett stated he felt it was unfair to taxpayers. He accused commissioners of keeping this from citizens and making a decision that he feels would have been rejected if it had been brought before the community for a vote by the residents.
   No public hearing on the matter was required by law, because the new system will not be paid for with property taxes, so it will not necessitate an increase in the millage rate. In fact, commissioners plan to lower the millage rate this year.
   However, some citizens believe that a user fee that is mandatory is a type of "tax," so they believe a public hearing should have been held, whether one was required by law or not.
   Of course there are two sides to the issue, as other citizens point out that lowering of property taxes will offset some the cost of curbside pickup. Some residents also say they are looking forward to not having to drive all the way to a dumpster site, hoping there is not anything on the ground to flatten their tires, and hoping to find an empty dumpster. For those who have these dumpsters in their “yards” and on their roads, they will be glad to see the litter, stray animals, and “eyesores” gone.
EMS
   Terry Whaley, EMS director, came before the board to ask about the hiring of one more full time employee. A full time person was hired in February, and one more would enable the EMS Service to go to a full time service. The commissioners agreed to look at the proposal, and possibly give a response in the September meeting.
   Last month (July), there were 84 calls for emergency medical care. Twelve of those calls were answered by mutual aid from Webster, Schley and Talbot counties. The cost to the county for this service is $875 per call, and there is an average response time of 25 minutes. Response time (up from 22 minutes to 4.5 in 2 1/2 years, in county) and this cost could be reduced by making Marion County EMS a full time service, according to Whaley. The new ambulance, purchased by the Hospital Authority, is almost ready to be put into service. The cost of placing a radio in the new ambulance will be $1,800. Whaley discussed the EMS getting its own radio frequency. Currently they share the frequency with the fire department. The commissioners also reaffirmed their support for a search for grant money to move forward with a new EMS station.
Other Business
   Commissioners approved an increase to the Public Defenders office from $8,000 to $9,041 annually. In 2005, the office handled 183 cases in Marion County. (Approximate cost to the county is $43.71 per case.) According to Bob Watkins, spokesperson for the PD’s office, currently in the six county area covered by their offices, $1.8 million is collected, with Muscogee County paying in over $1 million. The increase being asked for is based on the current fiscal year’s population. Commissioner Neal stated that the commissioners want to do the right thing for the county. The commissioners voted to pay the $9,041 and any remaining balance from 2005 after the state refund.
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   Sheriff Snider discussed with the board the new laws concerning registered sex offenders living within 1,000 feet of bus stops. Judge Clarence Cooper has ruled that this law is unconstitutional, and it is currently being challenged. Sheriff Snider assured the board, and the community, that all registered sex offenders in Marion County are accounted for. He also stated that there are no violent sex offenders currently living in Marion County. Sheriff Snider will attend training in Macon, August 22-24, at which time he will receive updates on the new laws.
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   The commissioners approved the purchase of new hardware for the Tax Commissioner’s Office. The current life of the operating system has expired. All counties are being required to convert to a new operating system. The total cost to bring the equipment up to date is approximately $6,150. This covers all equipment, installation and conversion costs. The equipment and installation will be done by GSI (Government Systems, Inc.), which is the same company Marion County has used for 20 years.
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   Commissioner Neal informed the Board that Rural Internet Service, provided at no cost to the county through Windstream, will have most of Marion County covered by the end of 2006. The entire county is expected to be covered by September 2007.
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   Approval was given to sign the water agreement between Moon Family Properties and the county pending approval by county attorney, Mr. Wayne Jernigan.
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   A decision on the pay rate for the Board of Equalization was tabled in order to research what surrounding counties are paying. The current rate in Marion County is $25.
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   Steve White, zoning administrator, presented the commissioners with names and biographies for consideration for two open positions on the zoning board. The Commissioners will research the bios and make a decision at a future meeting.
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   The commissioners voted for a resolution to declare the 2001 garbage truck surplus property and to advertise for bids.
   A motion to declare a 1996 Crown Victoria previously used by the Sheriff’s department as surplus and to advertise for bids was passed.
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   Commissioner Jerry Hays spoke with the citizens present and said that the county commissioners are having to make decisions to make sure the county can stay in good financial shape. In his opinion, the correct decisions weren’t always made before the present commissioners took office and the county came to be under a financial strain.
   Commissioners encourage county members to attend the monthly meetings. Meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at the County Extension Office. Meetings are held from 4 to 7 p.m. and are open to all citizens. If you wish to speak at the meeting, please call 649-2603 and ask to be put on the agenda. Please call at least a week in advance of the meeting.