[0:00] Our invocation tonight, Vice Chair Cunningham is going to do the pledge.
[0:08] Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this day and bless us
[0:12] with the opportunity to serve the citizens of Gordon County.
[0:15] Thank you for the protection you keep around the county, and everything that you do
[0:19] for us. We ask that you lead, guide, and direct us this evening in the decisions
[0:22] that we make, and we be pleased unto you.
[0:25] All these things I ask in your sweet and precious name.
[0:28] Amen.
[0:33] Amen.
[0:33] Let us pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of
[0:36] America, and to the Republic for which it stands,
[0:40] one nation, under God, indivisible, with
[0:44] liberty and justice for all.
[0:51] We will officially call our meeting to order and welcome you.
[0:54] Thank you very much for being here tonight.
[0:56] We do have a fairly short agenda tonight, but we have several reports that we would
[1:00] like to do. The first item of business tonight is to approve
[1:04] the agenda that we went over in the work session.
[1:08] There is one change that I'll mention, and that's under new business, item number
[1:12] three.
[1:13] The actual GL account number has been changed to
[1:17] 431-531120-111.
[1:23] That is one difference from the actual written agenda.
[1:27] So I'll ask for a motion to approve tonight's
[1:31] agenda with that change.
[1:33] So moved.
[1:35] I have a motion. Is there a second?
[1:37] Second.
[1:38] Any discussions?
[1:40] All in favor?
[1:42] And the agenda is
[1:44] approved.
[1:46] We're looking at our minutes, where we'll be adopting minutes from the work
[1:49] session, executive session, and the regular session of July the
[1:53] 21st, 2026.
[1:56] I'll ask for a motion.
[1:57] Motion to approve.
[1:59] I have a motion to approve. Is there a second?
[2:02] Second.
[2:03] Any discussion?
[2:06] All in favor?
[2:08] And the minutes stand approved. Special recognition tonight, we'll be
[2:12] recognizing our August employees' years of service.
[2:15] And I'll ask Commissioner Sutherland if he would read the list, and then
[2:19] Commissioner Abernathy is going to shake the bag and draw the
[2:23] name.
[2:25] Okay. If they're over 10 years,
[2:28] I'll acknowledge that. From 8911, we
[2:32] have Kinsley Outing, 11 years, Destiny
[2:36] Burchett. From the fire department, Brandon Halcomb,
[2:40] 13,
[2:41] Jacob Nicholson, 10, Jimmy Williams, 10,
[2:46] Mason Mattila, Brennon Mullins,
[2:51] Cody Thomas, and Jared Powell.
[2:55] From IT, Tim Cochran with 21.
[2:59] Magistrate Court, Courtney Ford.
[3:03] Recreation department, Roger Pease with 18.
[3:07] Public Works, Scott Hobbs, 27,
[3:10] Steven Silvers with Public Works,
[3:13] Amy Richards with Public Works.
[3:17] The next individuals are our sheriff's department.
[3:20] Angela Wright, 22, Andy Roberts,
[3:24] 35,
[3:26] Robert Garcia, 10,
[3:29] Lane Bennett,
[3:30] Shane Gibson,
[3:32] Philip Papers,
[3:34] and Reece Campbell. The last three are all
[3:39] tax commissioner.
[3:41] Office, Sharon Lieberman with 30, Bonnie Storm
[3:45] and Kristen Kerr.
[3:52] Drumroll.
[4:00] Tim Cochran.
[4:02] All right, Tim Cochran.
[4:02] All right.
[4:03] He doesn't need much.
[4:06] How many years has he been with us?
[4:08] Tim had 21.
[4:09] He's
[4:10] fine with us.
[4:12] Congratulations to Tim Cochran. You said 21 years?
[4:15] Yes, sir.
[4:16] 21 years. That's amazing.
[4:18] Yeah.
[4:19] All right, Mr. Ledbetter, we'll move right on into the administrator's report.
[4:24] Okay. Let me get on the right page.
[4:28] You have your SLOS, LOS and FLOS reports.
[4:31] But the good news is
[4:33] we're up about 4% on our SLOS and LOS
[4:37] collections
[4:38] over last year. And then, because we now have
[4:42] a 12-month time period in our report, we're able to tell that our SLOS
[4:46] collections for 2025/'26
[4:51] were $363,337
[4:54] over the previous time period,
[4:59] which was at $224,800.
[5:03] Excuse me, that was for SLOS, and then FLOS was up
[5:06] $224,808 over the previous
[5:10] fiscal year.
[5:12] On FLOS, we've now received six months of sales tax collected
[5:16] under the FLOS. Our county share of over six
[5:20] months was $4.924 million.
[5:24] Doubling that almost puts us at $10 million,
[5:28] which is on the good side of what we predicted FLOS would bring us.
[5:33] Five months of that will be applied to lower taxes this year,
[5:37] and then next year we'll have a full year's worth of FLOS
[5:41] for about $10 million if the state legislature doesn't
[5:45] do something to us in the 2027 session
[5:50] to mess that up.
[5:53] We got our sales tax ratio from the Georgia Department of
[5:57] Audits.
[5:58] The sales tax ratio is conducted under Georgia law, and
[6:02] it's an annual audit of our tax digest to determine whether
[6:06] county properties are assessed at fair market value
[6:10] A score of 40 indicates properties are accurately valued according
[6:14] to the sample of properties considered in the state audit.
[6:17] Gordon County, congratulations to the tax assessor's office, because they
[6:22] received a score of 38.83, which is in the
[6:26] acceptable range.
[6:29] It means our tax assessor's office has valued the
[6:33] property accurately, but according to the state, we should have
[6:37] gone just a little bit higher to be at 40%.
[6:40] The Development Authority met last week.
[6:44] The final tract of land in the King Industrial Park on the LX Drive has
[6:48] been sold. That's a big deal.
[6:51] I think that development park was started back in 2009 or
[6:55] 2010.
[6:58] It was partially purchased, partially donated, I believe, by the
[7:01] King family. I wasn't here then, at the county, but that's what I
[7:05] understand.
[7:07] The Development Authority borrowed the
[7:10] money to buy the land in 2010 for the purchase portion,
[7:14] and Gordon County has paid back the debt with
[7:18] 35 payments totaling
[7:19] $962,257.
[7:24] The Development Authority made the final payoff of
[7:27] $121,925.17.
[7:31] This is the one where we have a contract with the Development Authority, so
[7:35] that now frees up
[7:37] $565,332
[7:41] that under a contract with Development Authority is due to us.
[7:45] I know there's discussions about reinvestment of that or
[7:48] whatever, but that was the triggering event under the contract.
[7:53] I think the purchase of the property,
[7:57] the whole industrial development project, has been really successful
[8:01] because we've gotten the entire LX complex down
[8:05] there. And I didn't look up the exact amount of
[8:09] tax
[8:10] that LX is now paying, but over a
[8:14] period of the 10 years, it would far eclipse
[8:19] the million-dollar figure that
[8:22] the county and Development Authority had in borrowing to go buy the
[8:25] property. Of course, there's other infrastructure that's been put in.
[8:30] The county came out to the good on that.
[8:33] Landfill, we're in the process of the five-year permit
[8:36] review.
[8:38] I get briefed on that tomorrow morning on a Zoom call.
[8:42] We've got the Title V air quality reporting that's going on, and
[8:46] that was a clean report.
[8:50] Went out to Hero Agriculture last week.
[8:52] Mike Reynolds hosted Congressman Clay Fuller out there at the farm to
[8:57] look at the program. And while I was there, not only was
[9:01] I able to
[9:02] reiterate to the congressman
[9:06] that Hero Agriculture saves lives and saves Gordon County
[9:10] the jail and the hospital money, but most importantly,
[9:14] saves veterans' lives, veterans who have traumatic brain
[9:18] injury.
[9:20] And I was also able to mention to the congressman, as we have to
[9:24] others who've passed through lately,
[9:26] our needs for local mental health care and other needs.
[9:31] And then Keith King has an extensive activity report for
[9:35] his
[9:37] activity for the month of July that you can see there.
[9:41] On the last page, it's real interesting.
[9:44] He's got the Northwest Georgia Agricultural and Event Center
[9:47] bookings,
[9:50] and revenue anticipated to be derived from there, and then some
[9:54] reports on our buildings. Anything you want to add?
[9:57] One thing. I would like for Courtney to introduce who he has with him,
[10:01] if we can do that.
[10:01] Oh, yeah. I was going to get to that now.
[10:04] Now?
[10:05] Sure.
[10:06] Well, I'll stand up then.
[10:08] Happy to say that this is Christina Byrd.
[10:10] She is the new deputy director for EMA.
[10:14] She's been here two days, and I already can't say enough about her.
[10:17] We'll be here in September to give our EMA report, and
[10:21] my plan is instead of telling you what we've done at EMA for the last year,
[10:25] is to tell you what we've done for the last month.
[10:27] And I think I have that much confidence.
[10:29] She's already going to have so much stuff on the books.
[10:32] We told her one of her things is going to be community education.
[10:34] We want her out and about, working the robot, doing different things.
[10:39] We've been working, really, for two weeks, but we've only been paying her for two
[10:41] days, because I've been on the phone with her every day, like, "Can you do this?
[10:44] Will you do this? Will you do this?" And she's really started two weeks ago, so
[10:47] we've already got some good hours out of her.
[10:50] And in just two days, we've already got scheduled, we're going to start doing a
[10:54] community CPR class quarterly. So the first one will be September
[10:57] 24th at the county administration building.
[11:00] She'll be doing employees from 9:00 to 12:00, and then just open to
[11:04] the community from 1:00 to 4:00. And the only charge will be $7.50, which is
[11:08] for the card that we can't get away from.
[11:10] And then we're going to continue that quarterly.
[11:12] We've already got her
[11:14] hooked up with some school contacts so she can get into schools.
[11:17] Already got her scheduled to go with Ron and Greg for Fire Prevention
[11:21] Month in October, so she'll be in all the elementary schools
[11:25] then. So we're really going to put a push on that community education and get it
[11:29] going.
[11:32] I don't want to say anything wrong, but bachelor's degree, I think?
[11:35] More educated than me. Bachelor's degree in emergency management.
[11:38] She is a true emergency manager. She has that bachelor's degree.
[11:41] She already has her certified emergency manager, which is a three-year process.
[11:45] So that's going to save us money on things.
[11:47] And we've already established my goal for her is the same as
[11:51] her goal for her, and it's for her to be your next emergency management director.
[11:55] She's a little shorter in the tooth than I am.
[11:57] So she's still got about 23, 24 years to hit that
[12:01] magic number 60 for public safety retirement here in Gordon County.
[12:04] And
[12:05] I hope you will support us, and I'm going to support her to keep her here,
[12:10] because I think she is definitely the future of emergency management here in Gordon
[12:14] County. Anything you want to say?
[12:15] Thank you. I just want to thank y'all for the opportunity.
[12:17] I'm excited to serve the citizens of Gordon County.
[12:20] Work with a fantastic director and see what we can get done.
[12:25] Christina, it is great to have you on board, and we really appreciate
[12:29] you choosing to make your home here in Gordon County and working with
[12:33] us.
[12:35] Thank you. Courtney and Christina are going to
[12:38] possibly go to Carter's Lake tomorrow to participate.
[12:41] Oh.
[12:41] It's a go. There's a missing canoeist over there, and we
[12:45] have some specialized underwater search equipment.
[12:49] And so, we're going to have one of our boats go over with a
[12:53] driver, and then Courtney, crew will
[12:57] operate the underwater
[13:00] equipment. Sonar, whatever it is that-
[13:03] Yeah, underwater camera, yes
[13:05] ... is designed to look for bodies.
[13:08] So say a prayer. He's been missing for about a week now.
[13:11] We need to get him back to his family.
[13:13] So,
[13:14] thank you.
[13:14] Thank you all for everything.
[13:16] Thank y'all.
[13:18] Thank you for the opportunity.
[13:21] That's all.
[13:21] That's it? All right. Commissioner's reports, we'll begin with Vice Chair
[13:25] Cunningham.
[13:26] Yes, sir. July 23rd and 24th,
[13:31] we participated in some ACCG trainings
[13:35] at Callaway. Good classes.
[13:38] A lot of information taken in two days.
[13:40] It was real worth the trip.
[13:44] As always, I was working lunch with Jim and
[13:48] talking with citizens.
[13:50] Thank you very much. Commissioner Stewart.
[13:54] Not too much to report. Had a meeting with Keith and Jim to go
[13:57] over a few items and keeping our ordinance
[14:02] officers busy. That's about all I have.
[14:05] Thank you very much. On the 23rd, we were able to have one of our first paid
[14:09] events down at the
[14:11] Ag and Event Center. The Georgia Regional Council, the
[14:15] Northwest Georgia Regional Trauma Advisory Committee,
[14:20] and
[14:21] we had folks from about 16 northwest Georgia counties
[14:25] there who all got to see the place. Our friends over in Floyd County were
[14:29] there, and they had a chance to look at it and became a little bit jealous.
[14:33] So, we're excited that they were able to be there as well.
[14:36] And that was a good event and had a lot of attendance there.
[14:41] On the 24th, Jim and Keith and I met.
[14:43] I can't remember if there's anybody else meeting with us or not on that day, but we
[14:47] had a very positive meeting talking about county operations and
[14:51] business. And then today, we had an agricultural
[14:55] stakeholders meeting down at the Ag and Event Center that
[14:59] Keith led, and we had great attendance there for that meeting.
[15:02] That's all I have. Commissioner Abernathy.
[15:04] I've got nothing to report. All is well.
[15:07] Thank you. Commissioner Sutherland.
[15:09] Yes, I had to return a few phone calls, took a few.
[15:15] Several emails with a lady on a situation, and I think she's got that taken care
[15:19] of.
[15:22] Had a couple of training classes of art of
[15:25] negotiating and navigating changes,
[15:29] to work on my specialty tracks.
[15:32] And
[15:34] met also today at the Event Center that
[15:37] Keith hosted with the stakeholders on that, with our
[15:41] local 4H leaders, FFA teachers, and some
[15:45] county ag leaders with us.
[15:48] Thank you for doing that, Keith.
[15:51] And we had a good meeting, and
[15:54] we got some things ironed out
[15:57] really well. So, good job on that today.
[16:00] Thank you, commissioners.
[16:02] We'll move on to under new business.
[16:04] We have six items tonight under new business.
[16:06] Number one is consideration of request from the sheriff's office to approve the
[16:10] purchase of five 2027 Ford Explorers from
[16:14] Prado Ford for a total amount of
[16:16] $236,640. This is
[16:20] a 2024 SPLOST purchase and will be budgeted using GL
[16:23] account
[16:24] 329-542200-420.
[16:30] I believe from the report that they were the low bidders. Is that correct?
[16:34] That's correct. The sheriff's department
[16:37] pretty much handled all of that, and then we funded the purchase with the
[16:41] SPLOST proceeds allocated for that purpose.
[16:44] Thank you very much. I'll ask for a motion.
[16:48] Motion to approve.
[16:50] We do have a motion to approve. Is there a second?
[16:54] Second.
[16:55] A motion and two seconds.
[16:57] Well, let's take a vote.
[16:59] Any discussion?
[17:01] All in favor?
[17:04] And motion carries. Item number two is consideration of request from
[17:07] Emergency Management to approve to negotiate the debris
[17:11] removal contract with Debris Tech and CRS for debris
[17:15] monitoring services. And this item comes at no cost to Gordon
[17:19] County unless services are rendered.
[17:22] Is there a motion?
[17:25] Motion to approve.
[17:28] A motion to approve. Is there a second?
[17:30] Second.
[17:31] Any additional discussion on this?
[17:34] Hope we never need them.
[17:35] Absolutely.
[17:36] Amen.
[17:37] All in favor?
[17:39] And it is approved. Item number three is consideration of request
[17:44] from Public Works to approve task order number six with
[17:48] EXP US Services Incorporated for engineering services
[17:52] regarding the Deuce Pond Road and Lovers Lane intersection in the
[17:56] amount of $213,340, and this will be
[18:00] budgeted using GL account
[18:02] 431-531120-111.
[18:08] Is there a motion?
[18:11] Motion to approve.
[18:13] We do have a motion to approve. Is there a second?
[18:17] Second.
[18:18] Have a motion and a second. Any discussion?
[18:21] Like Jim had stated about the-
[18:25] large price on this, but I think it's an important
[18:28] project because it's got to work in tandem with the
[18:32] other intersection. If those two don't work in tandem well,
[18:35] then there's a lot of people that need the relief in that
[18:39] area around the Papa John. You can ask anybody that's got boots on the ground.
[18:42] In school.
[18:43] School, and it's a problem, so it needs to be
[18:47] fixed correctly.
[18:48] It's a difficult project. That's a tight intersection, and there's major
[18:52] utilities running through there that will have to be designed around or
[18:56] moved or whatever.
[18:57] Yeah.
[18:59] Just want to add that.
[19:00] Thank you, Chair. Any additional comments?
[19:04] All in favor?
[19:08] All right, and that motion carries.
[19:11] Item number four is consideration of request from Public Works to approve
[19:15] task order number seven with EXP US Services Inc,
[19:19] for the professional engineering services for guardrail improvements on Miller
[19:23] Ferry Road at Oothcaloga Creek in the amount of
[19:26] $12,000. This will be budgeted using GL account
[19:30] 431-521230.
[19:34] Is there a motion?
[19:37] Motion to approve.
[19:39] Have a motion to approve. Is there a second?
[19:42] Second.
[19:43] A motion and a second. Any discussion?
[19:47] Hearing none, all in favor?
[19:50] And motion carries. Item number five is consider resolution
[19:54] consenting to the de-annexation of certain real property from the
[19:58] city of Calhoun, Georgia.
[20:02] Is there a motion?
[20:04] Motion to approve.
[20:06] Have a motion to approve. Is there a second?
[20:08] Second.
[20:08] Any
[20:10] additional questions, comments?
[20:13] Need the attorney to reread the
[20:16] resolution? Are we all good?
[20:20] All right. All in favor?
[20:23] And motion carries.
[20:25] Item number six, consideration of request from County Clerk's office to
[20:29] approve change of responsible party for consumption off premises
[20:33] beer and wine license to Yvette Lee Laney from
[20:37] Mapco Express, LLC, doing business as Mapco
[20:41] 3608, located at 973
[20:45] Rome Road. All fees and requirements have been met by the
[20:48] applicant.
[20:50] Is there a motion?
[20:53] Motion to approve.
[20:55] I have a motion to approve. Is there a second?
[20:57] Second.
[20:58] Any additional discussion?
[21:00] No.
[21:02] All in favor?
[21:05] And motion carries.
[21:08] Is there a motion to adjourn?
[21:09] So moved.
[21:11] Have a motion to adjourn. Is there a second?
[21:13] Second.
[21:14] All in favor?
[21:16] And motion carries. Thank y'all very much for being with us tonight.