The Dade County Monthly Commission work session- meeting was held May 2nd.
Major Tommy Bradford with the Dade County Sheriff’s Office presented that department’s SPLOST funds request for Tasers, spare battery Cartridges and holsters from AXON Enterprises at a total cost of $8,169.24 with a 5-year warranty. He explained that the Tasers the department had warranties had expired and it was cost prohibitive to repair and it was more financially feasible to procure new ones with a warranty. County Executive Rumley inquired if there were any comparative prices and Major Bradford replied that this was the only company that makes these specific tasers. The commission unanimously approved the department’s request for the tasers and the 5-year warranty.
Chief Jerry Kyzer presented the Dade County Fire Department’s request for Artic Compressor Cascade Systems for Station 1 60,413.97 with the city of Trenton splitting the cost with the County and Station 4 at a cost of $5,186.55. The commissioners asked several clarifying questions of chief Kyzer and he explained the process and needs for these systems. CFO/County Clerk Don Townsend brought up the concern that when using SPLOST capitalized property has to be owned 100% by the County and County Attorney Robin Rodgers confirmed this. After some discussion the commission unanimously agreed that the city could buy their share of Station 1’s request from the itemized list of proposed capitalized property.
Mr. Cole Adkins, CM of BCM, Inc gave an update Historic Courthouse Restoration Project. He reviewed the update as follows: He reported on the budget status that Door hardware is being priced through Robinson Door. Current contingency is $90,278. Regarding the construction schedule he reported Drywall on the second floor is currently being finished. He stated re-manufactured ceiling tiles have been installed and crown molding is on site. Trim carpentry is scheduled to resume Monday May 6th. Data cabling pulls are complete. Meeting room wood flooring is on site. Return air ducts are scheduled to be cleaned at the beginning of next week, air conditioning startup to follow. LVT flooring, ceramic tile and acoustical ceiling tile has been ordered. As to open items he relayed following conversations with Architect Bruce Case: they are currently pricing two egress fire doors at the North stairwell to provide safe egress from the second floor out the North entrance in case of an emergency. Regarding contract status he reports proposals for the Fire Alarm system have been received, minus magnetic hold opens for the above-mentioned doors. Commissioner Lowrey asked Mr. Adkins how far away they were from completion and Mr. Adkins stated he believed 2 months. County Clerk interjected that there were issues with the roof that delayed the project, Commissioner Hartline inquired as to who would decide who would be able to occupy the building once construction was complete. County Executive Rumley stated that since it was county owned the County Commission would have that authority. Commissioner Bradford interjected that she had been attending the Historic Commission meetings and has seen several good proposals as to who might want to occupy the building. The commissioners agreed they would like to see some proposals on paper at next month’s meeting.
Ms. Paula Duvall, Chief Assessor made appeared to discuss the new laws regarding the process of determining changes in property values using the sales ratio study. She reported that assessment notices would be sent out next Friday May 10th. This will give property owners the appraised value for 2024. She stated the website will be updated to match the assessment notices. She encouraged citizens to take a close look and reported that there is a 45-day window for appeals. She explained what her office uses to come up with the value that property owners see on their assessment notices. She reported they use a sales ratio study. See stated the ratio tells what property sold for vs what the assessed value was. She reported that of 126 residential property sales in 2023 that they came in at a ratio of .3592. That number she reports means that the appraised values are lower overall than what these properties are selling for. She reports they then make efforts to try to ascertain why the ratio is off and how they can make the appraisal values more in line with what properties actually sell for. The next step is to make sure the appraised values are more in line with the market values. After necessary changes are made, the next step is to determine if they are using the same determinations on all properties. She stated those values were also low. And thirdly they look at what properties they are changing regarding higher and lower property values. Once changes were made the appraisal values were more in line with the market values. She encouraged citizens to contact her office with questions. Commissioner Lowrey asked her how to effectively use the website to compare values with neighbor’s properties. She gave out the website address www.qpublic.net/ga/dade, She explained that all properties can be accessed and all available information is provided on each property. Vice-Chair/Commissioner Goff inquired if last year’s tax credit from the State for those with homestead exemptions and she said it was her understanding that that would not be the case. Commissioner Lowery clarified that it was state law that the County had to strive to have uniformity to ensure citizens were being fairly taxed throughout the state. She then invited the public to attend the Board of Assessors monthly meetings if they were interested. They meet the second Thursday of every month at the Assessor’s office at 5 PM.
Next on the agenda was discussion on 3 alcohol ordinances:
Ordinance 04-04-24 – Amending ABC Ordinance for Golf Course License
Ordinance 04-05-24 – Amending the Alcoholic Beverage Control Ordinance be amended to remove certain local ordinance regulations on Class 2 licensees prohibiting persons from bringing upon the premises and consuming on-site wine beverages not purchased from the licensee
Ordinance 04-06-24 – Amending ABC Ordinance Location and Distance Requirement for Distilled Spirits
Commissioner Bradford asked that they all vote on them. Commissioner Hartline had no issues with it to discuss. Commissioner Lowery stated he would not be supporting the ordinances. Commissioner/Vic Chair Goff stated he felt he has “looked into this as much as anything I ever have and we need to vote and put it to rest”. Commissioner Bradford clarified that the Brown Bag portion only regarded premises that had alcohol sales licenses according to state law. Commissioner/Vice-Chair Goff further clarified that point. County Executive Rumley stated they would be voting on Agenda items 9, 10 and 11 regarding alcohol sales. At that point he adjourned the work session.
At the Regular Monthly meeting then began with roll call, prayer and pledge of Allegiance.
Next up on the agenda was citizen presentations. John Huffman spoke on citizens being able to speak more than five minutes. He also suggested citizen concerns be posted along with what the commission did to follow up. He also said that any volunteer workers sign a waiver.
Patrick Hickey of New Home voiced concerns about three or four passing lanes near Brow Road in a residential area. He requested those passing lanes be taken out through the residential area. Executive Rumley said they would look at double lining that area this Summer. Commissioner Bradford agreed the area had too much speeding.
Commissioner Lowery reported for the second quarter of April: 936 EMS Calls, 1144 Fire calls. Total calls were 2107. Twelve new 911 addresses and 32 for the year so far. He then spoke on area growth and added internet services. He reported the Bridge off Slygo road was back in operation. Commissioner Hartline mentioned AU had a tournament the next weekend. Soccer will be beginning soon. He announced there would be a yard sale soon. A Dollar General Market has begun construction on Sand Mountain corner of 136 and 301.Commissioner Goff reported on SPLOST Expenditures for the month of April at $319,249.00. He reports the new lineman class has begun. Spoke on the sales tax contributions these students add to the county. Spoke on the importance of the SPLOST funds. Mentioned football was back and the spring game would be against Plainview. Commissioner Bradford spoke on making sure citizens had access to transit and the updates at the senior center. She offered that she would be attending a conference on tire disposal. May 11th is tire amnesty day. She spoke about assisting businesses with understanding the alcohol ordinances. She clarified the state brown bag law. Executive Rumley spoke on remodeling the Depot for the Public Defender’s office. He reported that 314 citizens had early voted. He spoke about a new voting center that was being planned that could double as a shelter in Trenton. He reported that would begin paving in June. He spoke about the DNR bringing back more trout to the creek. Reported Squirrel Town Creek Bridge construction was beginning. He mentioned the 136 project was a year away. Mr. Lowery gave a health update that unfortunately his cancer had returned, and he was back on chemo.
Mrs. Laura Beth Cunningham, 4-H Agent, presented next. She reported the 4-dollar for 4-H fundraiser was April 4th. She discussed home schoolers lessons from 4-H. Next meeting May 22. The Poultry judging team competed this month. The shotgun team will be heading to State and she reported they are very competitive. Ag Camp will be the first week of June. The next Beekeepers meeting is Monday May 20 and the Cattlemen’s Association is May 21. She discussed mosquito control and briefly discussed with commission about cicadas not being as bad as other parts of the country.
Executive Rumley then informed the audience that there were online presentations from the Library and Chamber of commerce on the County Website.
CFO Don Townsend reported as of April 30th the General Fund had 1,376,589.00 and investments of 1.8 million with a total availability of 3,176,589.00. He then gave a detailed report of the earmarks as well as SPLOST Accounts and Local Option Sales Tax. Detailed reports available on the County Website. Budget Hearings begin May 6th. He reported a public hearing will be held June 13th as well June 20th. The Board of Assessors will meet May 9th and then will Mail assessments May 10t and encouraged citizens to reach out within the 45-day appeal window with issues.
CFO Townsend reviewed what had been discussed in the work session. The commission then voted . Consent Agenda was approved by the commission. The commission then voted on the three Alcohol ordinances.
Ordinance 04-04-24 – Amending ABC Ordinance for Golf Course License
Commissioners Voted as Follows: Commissioner Lowery: No. Commissioner Hartline: Yes Commissioner Goff: Yes Commissioner Bradford: Yes Executive Rumley: Yes
Ordinance 04-05-24 – Amending the Alcoholic Beverage Control Ordinance be amended to remove certain local ordinance regulations on Class 2 licensees prohibiting persons from bringing upon the premises and consuming on-site wine beverages not purchased from the licensee.
Voted as Follows: Commissioner Lowery: No. Commissioner Hartline: Yes Commissioner Goff: Yes Commissioner Bradford: Yes Executive Rumley: No
Ordinance 04-06-24 – Amending ABC Ordinance Location and Distance Requirement for Distilled Spirits
Commissioners Voted as Follows: Commissioner Lowery: No. Commissioner Hartline: Yes Commissioner Goff: Yes Commissioner Bradford: Yes Executive Rumley: No
All Alcohol Ordinances passed.
Proclamations were approved for: Respect for Law – a joint proclamation presented by the Trenton Dade Optimist Club to be read May 16th at the courthouse. Proclamations were also approved for Foster Care Month, National Day of Prayer on May 2, National Travel & Tourism Week and Armed Forces Day Saturday May 18th.
By Vic Burgess
The entire Meeting can be viewed on the following link: